Questions the patriotism of demonstrators

Regarding Sherry Jensen's letter ("Some people don't respect the First Amendment") in the Aug. 23 Thousand Oaks Acorn, I'm glad you wanted to participate in a '60s-style protest and have your children see and feel what it was.

Unfortunately, you and your children did experience democracy. You will only accept one side of your '60s wannabe protest. By the ages of your children, I can surmise you're in your 30s, and the '60s were 40 years ago. Maybe your parents passed their values on to you.

The people answering you with hand gestures weren't trying to intimidate you; they just wanted to answer your so-called peace and freedom statements.

Many of the old or middleaged gentlemen were U.S. veterans. The older guys were World War II vets, lucky to be alive, or, like my father, Korean War vets, or like myself, Vietnam vets. The hippies and love children mocked us, and upon our return, spit on us and called us baby killers.

Sure, (go ahead and) join that crowd.

If you and your children bow to those tactics, shame on you. Is that a lesson to be learned and passed on? Iraqi vets are being judged by your protests and nonsupport. Again: shame on you.

So just (continue to) teach the onesided point of your selfrighteous views and hatred of the values this country was built on.

You and your children can wait for socialistic medical care and other free programs, many of which failed in the '60s. Jimmy Nelson Thousand Oaks