Gramps
Mayor
Flags are burnt in demonstations but the burners are only, according the them, exercising their rights to free speech.
It is what it is. The flag is either special or it isn't. You either respect it or you don't. You either accept it as a symbol of purity and blood that's been shed accented with a patch of blue sky emblazoned with a star for each state it represents or you don't. No one can be made to honor it. You're either comfortable with how you view the flag or you aren't and only you can decide the actual meaning of "comfortable" in this case.
I tend to keep it on a tall pedestal and intimidate doubters every chance I get. When I erected my flag pole (city ordnance required I obtain a permit) I finally had to break the law to get it done. I was handed an application that insisted I state what flag I would be flying. I handed it back to them and said if that is a requirement then I shall just plant the pole and raise whatever flag I prefer and see what happens. Neither of us budged. The pole went up, the flag I prefered went up, and the application was later changed by omitting the portion identifying the purpose of having a pole. It's still standing and I feel good about that. If it offends anyone, well, I won't apologize.
People deface the flag everyday. They hang it improperly. Sometimes it's treated like a pet -- just something to keep but pay little attention to. To each his own. I cannot recall of anyone who broke the rules as being prosecuted for it.
It's a flag. I love it. It is not, in my opinion, a political football to be kicked around. I do not kick things around that I hold dear.
Gramps
It is what it is. The flag is either special or it isn't. You either respect it or you don't. You either accept it as a symbol of purity and blood that's been shed accented with a patch of blue sky emblazoned with a star for each state it represents or you don't. No one can be made to honor it. You're either comfortable with how you view the flag or you aren't and only you can decide the actual meaning of "comfortable" in this case.
I tend to keep it on a tall pedestal and intimidate doubters every chance I get. When I erected my flag pole (city ordnance required I obtain a permit) I finally had to break the law to get it done. I was handed an application that insisted I state what flag I would be flying. I handed it back to them and said if that is a requirement then I shall just plant the pole and raise whatever flag I prefer and see what happens. Neither of us budged. The pole went up, the flag I prefered went up, and the application was later changed by omitting the portion identifying the purpose of having a pole. It's still standing and I feel good about that. If it offends anyone, well, I won't apologize.
People deface the flag everyday. They hang it improperly. Sometimes it's treated like a pet -- just something to keep but pay little attention to. To each his own. I cannot recall of anyone who broke the rules as being prosecuted for it.
It's a flag. I love it. It is not, in my opinion, a political football to be kicked around. I do not kick things around that I hold dear.
Gramps
