By James G. Zumwalt

Washington Times
October 28, 2007
Pg. B4

Historically, in determining public support for America's wars, university campuses across the country have served as the "canary in the mineshaft."

During World Wars I and II, for example, many students dropped out of school to answer their nation's call to duty to fight a war against an enemythreatening democracy. Those wars saw a level ofpatriotism that declined considerably during the Korean war and, during the Vietnam conflict, transitioned into student activism against U.S. involvement. In the late 1960s, we saw such activism, for the first time, undermine the war effort at home. A subtle indicator on campuses today as to whether student activism will move toward supporting or undermining America's war against terrorism may turn on whom students identify — or fail to identify — as their "heroes." While student activism has yet to surface as a factor in this war, there are signs, some over the past few weeks, a subtle undercurrent may beflowing.

One of these signs manifested itself Sept. 7 at the Rutgers University-Navy football game hosted by Rutgers. As the Midshipmen took to the field, they were hit by a chorus of "boos" and profanities. When Navy kick-returner Reggie Campbell was injured after a return, Rutgers chanted repeated obscenities. The verbal abuse continued, not only against Navy players, but their families and fans as well.

While some might dismiss this display by Rutgers' fansas "boys being boys," itis a sad commentary on the failure of Rutgers' fans to recognize the selfless sacrifices soon to be made by young men like Mr. Campbell, and already being made by hundreds of thousands of others, in putting their lives at risk to protect those hurtling profanities at them. While the Rutgers chanters will be going off to the comfort of corporate America, the players they berated will be placed in harms' way — some undoubtedly even paying the ultimate price to protect American values. One would have thought Rutgers students would have given the Middies a standing ovation as they took the field. In failing to recognize the Midshipman as heroes for their willingness to fight a war most Rutgers fans won't, they clearly fail to understand the threat confronting America today.

Another college campus development suggests students embrace false heroes. Ward Churchill is the University of Colorado professor who caused a furor when he wrote an essay in 2005 describing the victims of September 11, 2001, as "little Eichmanns."Hiding behind his constitutional right of freedom of speech to share his outrageous views with his students, the furor prompted an investigation into Mr. Churchill's essay and other writings. A panel of academics found" patterns of deliberate, academic-misconduct violations, including plagiarism and fabrication," resulting in his being fired.

In October, he was invited back to the university by some students, who rented a classroom, to give a series of classes that, undoubtedly, will be further critical ofAmerica. One student supporter coordinating Mr. Churchill's return suggested, "We were deprived of his teaching." Ironically, the man who so staunchly defended his "little Eichmanns" comment on the right to speak and be heard freely has denied access to his current class to reporters or students opposed to his views.

In probably the most high-profile college campus incident, Columbia University invited the Jew-hating, terrorist-supporting, human rights-violating, nuclear weapons-developing, U.S. soldier-murdering president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to speak. However, unlike the University of Colorado where the invitation for a controversial speaker was extended by students, the invitation for Mr. Ahmadinejad to speak was extendedby the president of Columbia.

How many students truly understandthis man's fervent beliefs? How many understand he wants for them the same thing he wants for all non-Muslims — death? How many understand he believes in the return of the 12th Imam to lead the advancement of Islam to become the world's only religion? How many understand he believes the 12th Imam's return will only occur in the wake of world chaos? How many understand he believes such chaos can be triggered by Mr. Ahmadinejad himself, after which he will be rewarded by becoming heir to the Prophet Muhammad? (This, perhaps, explains the "vision" he had last year of himself engulfed in a "halo" while speaking at the U.N.)

This belief, coupled with his declaration Israel needs to be destroyed and his efforts to develop a nuclear weapon, should leave no doubt of his true intentions. Mr. Ahmadinejad has issued his version of Hitler's "Mein Kampf," only this time the entire non-Muslim world is the intended victim. Yet, at certain points during his discussion when Mr. Ahmadinejad demonstrated contentiousness, he was applauded by some students. Ironically, as non-believers in Islam, they applauded for a man who, left to his own devices, would not hesitate to be their executioner. It was sad to see this madman on steroids receive a more supportive response at Columbia than did Navy at Rutgers. A man responsible for killing our soldiers in Iraq received a common courtesy deniedto those in our military committed to protecting us.

Additionally, Columbia, while providing a soapbox to someone committed to our demise, extends no similar courtesy to those committed to our defense, such as ROTC and military recruiters — both of whom are denied access to the campus.

Tom Brokaw describes the generation that fought World War II as America's greatest. We must hope he is wrong. For the tremendous challenges facing America today will, in fact, demand an even greater generation of Americans rise to the task. To meetsuch challenges, that generation must first understand the threat and appreciate those already confronting it. They must know the difference between true and false heroes. Should we fail to fully educate our young people to this, all hope for the coming of America's greatest generation will have been lost.

James G. Zumwalt, a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf and Vietnam wars, is a contributor to The Washington Times.