BOSTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Are you a patriot? And just what is patriotism, anyway?
Those are some of the questions posed on a Web site by Korean War-era Air Force veteran George Harris. Harris is seeking to gauge patriotism in America in 2002 as the nation is in a war against terrorism and faces a potential war against Iraq.
He anticipated a flood of responses but what George Harris has found out so far is, he says, "disheartening."
While people who are opposed to war or some other subject speak out forcefully, Harris says it appears those who favor such actions are reluctant to voice their support.
At least that's the conclusion he's reached based on the reaction to the minutemanbrigade.org Web site he established just over a month ago.
"It's been a very disappointing response so far," Harris told United Press International in a telephone interview from his home near Los Angeles.
"We believed there are people out there who are patriotic, (but) the initial response we are getting is not indicating that," said Harris, 68, who is semi-retired from the computer business.
The Web site features news and articles dealing with the nation's war against terrorism, and three contests -- a questionnaire contest, an essay contest and a poster contest -- designed to give average Americans an opportunity to express their views on patriotism today.
"That's what we're trying to find. We're trying to open up a dialogue," Harris said. "What is patriotism in 2002?"
He said he thought the subject matter would inspire many Americans to take part, especially because when something is posted on the Internet, "it travels with the speed of light."
That, however, hasn't happened.
As of Oct. 23, the number of visitors to the site was just under 2,700.
"Maybe we were a bit too optimistic," he said.
The Web site also provides visitors with a chance to sign up with the organization. That's also been a disappointment, he said.
"When you've got something that people are against, more people respond," he said.
Harris said it was decided to name the organization the Minuteman Brigade in honor of the colonial citizens who responded to the call in 1775 to fight to overthrow British rule.
"The minutemen were patriotic citizens, mostly farmers, that took up arms and joined the efforts of our military -- without question, without hesitation, in total camaraderie," the group says in a press release.
The stated goal of the organization is to "take action to bring all Americans into full participation in the war on terrorism," much as the colonials united against the British.
While the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, again united Americans, "a hush seems to have fallen over the American people" in the months since.
"Where are the voices now?" the group asks. "Where are our hearts as a whole? How do we feel? What do we think? What is patriotism today? Is it painting a flag on your garage door, or wearing a shirt designed to look like an America flag? Is it sporting a flag on your car antenna?
"Is it being pro-war with Iraq? Proclaiming unfailing support for our president? Is it voting, writing our senators, or hating terrorists?
"What is unpatriotic? Is it being anti-war? Is it protesting, petitioning, marching, crusading, or demonstrating?
"Should we assume that the silence of America's tongues is patriotic and that we're willing to allow our government to do whatever they think best?"
In an attempt to generate publicity for the Web site and the contests, Harris said he sent news releases out to major newspapers around the country.
"Their response was, 'Hey, there are other things that the public is more interested in than patriotism.'"
"That's very disheartening," he said.
Of all the news organizations contacted, Harris said the only one to respond so far was UPI.
