Mary Jane Newall stated in a letter to the editor (July 17) that liberals would cheer if America failed in Iraq; liberals hate God and the flag, and liberals are the terrorists’ best friend.

I’m one of those liberals who served my country during the Korean War. My liberal brother, Martin, was a combat engineer from Normandy to Germany with George Patton. My liberal brother, Leland, served in Africa and Italy. My liberal brother-in-law, Don, lost an eye in combat in India.

I don’t apologize for being a liberal and don’t take kindly to being called unpatriotic by right-wing conservatives.

The definition for a liberal is one who advocates progressive government, which is open-handed, generous and broad-minded.

That definition doesn’t make me ashamed or unpatriotic for being a liberal. John Kerry, Jane Fonda and liberals didn’t lose the war in Vietnam any more than Ronald Reagan brought down communism. The United States, France and England didn’t succeed in Vietnam because we can’t force democracy, religion or our ideas on someone else. Communism failed for the same reason and so will terrorism.

Kerry went into harm’s way, received three purple hearts and served his country. That earned him the right to come home and express his opinion.

What have conservative heroes George Bush and Dick Cheney done to make us believe they qualify to protect this country against terrorists? It was on their watch that this country suffered its most devastating attack in its history.

Arnold G. Farr, Norway