Not all acts of patriotism take place on the battlefield. Sometimes they can happen in a Philadelphia hoagie shop, when a college student uses his free speech rights to ask an important question of our would-be leaders.
Check out the inspiring saga of Temple student Michael Rovito, and also the sad reaction:
Since then, many reporters have asked why I engaged Palin at Tony Luke's, why I asked those questions, whether I thought Palin understood them, if the exchange was authentic, and whether I participated in "gotcha journalism."
Students have asked me about being a voice for voters who can't interact authentically with candidates. Friends have warned me about the backlash I might face as a Democrat who questioned a Republican. My professors, meanwhile, are concerned that "gotcha-journalist" accusations could harm my academic career.
I have made it clear in interviews that I am not a journalist, have no training in journalism, and have no plans to become a journalist. I did not aim to stump Sarah Palin, and she did not seem to take offense at my questions; actually, I thought she responded openly.
I questioned Palin because I am a voter with profound concerns about the ramifications of this election for the future of our country. I don't think that makes me an unusual voter, but rather a typical one. I genuinely wanted to know her thoughts on conducting the war on terror, because a lot of my friends and former students are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
You see, Rovito unknowingly placed himself on the front line of the war that Sarah Palin, John McCain, and the Republican Party have declared on not only the media but on free speech and the First Amendment. Rovito is "the enemy" -- a citizen seeking information about something of substance.
What used to be called "the public's right to know" is now called "a gotcha question." And it raises a question that voters need to ask themselves on Nov. 4.
Why do they hate our freedoms?
Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
E-mail Will by clicking here.
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