We adult Americans should be thoroughly ashamed for constantly covering our youth with a blanket of fear and suspicion. Our government leaders batter us with “9/11” and “war against terror” over and over again.

Mature members of our families respond with fear and plead for government protection — just as our leaders want and expect. Do you think that our children and grandchildren do not see and are not deeply affected?

My generation has lived through World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. In each conflict, our military fought with bravery beyond description against millions of enemy soldiers. Thousands upon thousands died so we could live free.

Where has this sense of pride and courage gone? We have allowed the politicians to convince us that a few thousand Al Qaeda members are so dangerous we can insult half the nations of the world and spend our country into bankruptcy in an attempt to control them.

Shame on our leaders! Shame on us!

Bill Sherrill