“Support our troops.” “Freedom isn’t free.” “God bless America.” These are the sights from passing cars on the way to Sacramento State and traveling around town.

Yet do these signs truly mean anything? It is possible it’s all just rhetoric, and their display of patriotism is insincere. For those who are sincere, finding a way to truly support the troops should be more important than what is on the rear of your car.

It has been over two years since America entered Iraq and whether you support the actions of the administration or not, we are likely to maintain a military presence in Iraq long after they draft their constitution.

Because of this ever-growing reality, the “support our troops” magnets have grown in popularity. I often question the sincerity of many of those who adorn their cars with magnets pronouncing their patriotism.

“A meaningful expression of patriotism cannot be reduced to bumper stickers,” said government Assistant Professor Patrick Cannon.

Yet, these magnets mean different things to different people. Some use these magnets to show their support of President Bush and the involvement in Iraq, while others use the same magnets to support keeping the troops safe and to bring them home soon and alive.

“To those with family and friends serving in Iraq, the sticker is probably the most convenient way to express their concern for, and to assuage their anxiety about, the safety of those in the military,” Cannon said.

Because of this likely possibility, I leave it up to the individuals to know whether they stick magnets to their vehicles for an actual reason, or if they have merely fallen into a fad of overt patriotism. A magnet doesn’t make one more patriotic or American than another.

Parody magnets have also started to gain popularity. At the Web site, www.supportourribbons.com, magnets with such phrases as, “I support more troops than you”, “one nation under ribbons” and “my ribbon is better than your ribbon” are available.

All jokes aside, if Americans wish to support the troops overseas, actions are more powerful than words.

Unfortunately for recent activist Cindy Sheehan, her attempts to make an extra effort have been reduced to a mere label by many media outlets.

Cindy Sheehan was once an individual who had a goal. Now she is labeled as the leader of an anti-war and anti-Bush movement, not the mother who lost her son and wished to prevent the same fate for other families. In bitter irony, we are left with a universal “support our troops” message for either side, because the personal message has been lost.

Andrew Stiffler can be reached at [email protected]