(On Saturday, February 22, 2003, the Modesto Bee reported on U-Save Liquors' decision to no longer sell French wine, out of support for the troops.  Honest.  I would never make up anything like that.)

Valley Residents Show American Spirit
Staff Reports
and news services

Throughout the region, residents and businesses are demonstrating their patriotic support for President Bush and the US armed forces. Melentie Pandilovski, owner of the Vino liquor store on West Oakdale Road, makes his position clear with a sign in the store window. The sign reads, "We support President Bush and our troops. We will no longer sell any Iraqi or North Korean wine."

Pandilovski immigrated from Estonia seven years ago, he says. "In old country no one could put up sign. I'm happy here in America and I support Bush."

Pandilovski hopes the use of force in Iraq and North Korea won't be necessary. But he adds, "We have to defend ourselves. How long have we put up with bad Iraqi and North Korean wine? It's time to act."

Many Modesto drivers have seen Willy McGee walking up and down McHenry Avenue wearing his "sandwich board" sign. McGee says his sign was divinely inspired. "I woke up one morning with like a message from the Almighty. He told me to tell all the people."

McGee's sign reads "Honk if you love the 'Lord' and know that God is on 'Our' side against dictaters, terrorists, muslums, and& wepons of mass destruction." He estimates up to 100 cars a day honk at him as he walks past between the two northbound lanes. 

According to Ed Burke, spokesman for the Modesto Police Drug Task Force Unit, the rise of patriotic fervor has also had an impact on illegal narcotics trafficking. Recent massive seizures of illegal drugs are just the tip of the iceberg, Burke says.

"What's happening is dealers are giving 20% discounts on black tar heroin, increasing sales," Burke says. A police informant confirmed that the increase in sales of black tar heroin "helps the Afghan people develop a stable economy," according to Burke. Afghanistan has quickly regained its pre-Taliban prominence as a major exporter of heroin.

Others are finding less public ways of showing support for our troops. Dan Freeman of Turlock expresses his patriotism, he says, by "rounding up war protestors and beating the *&%$ out of them." 

Freeman, an independent home repair and improvement contractor, says the tools of his trade help him show his spirit. "When I pick up a hammer or a crowbar to bash the face of one of these (%%#@*&-&^%@ing traitors, it's like I'm a soldier too. We're all freedom fighters!"