January 26, 2011 9:15AM # Patriotism, Dedication, and Esprit de Corps By [Jason Kuznicki](https://www.cato.org/people/jason-kuznicki) --- SHARE [From a press release by Law Enforcement Against Prohibition](http://copssaylegalize.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-border-patrol-agent-fired-for-drug.html): > \[A\] U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent… was fired for saying in a casual conversation that legalizing and regulating drugs would help stop cartel violence along the southern border with Mexico. After sharing his views with a colleague, the fired agent, Bryan Gonzalez, received a letter of termination stating that his comments are “contrary to the core characteristics of Border Patrol Agents, which are patriotism, dedication, and espirit \[sic\] de corps.” Last week, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, Gonzalez filed a lawsuit seeking damages. I know very little about employment law and have no idea whether the agent has a case. But just consider that even some Border Patrol agents are questioning the War on Drugs — and even when it can cost them their jobs. If it costs you less to speak out, then please, consider doing so. American patriotism *is* about speaking one’s mind. Dedication to a failed policy isn’t a virtue. And will the firings continue until the *esprit de corps* improves? ##### Related Tags [Constitutional Law](https://www.cato.org/constitutional-law), [Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies](https://www.cato.org/robert-levy-center-constitutional-studies) [![Creative Commons License](/build/cato_2020/images/creative-commons.svg)](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) This work is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/).