My home town conservative newspaper,
The San Diego Union Tribune ran an editorial today that echoed my feelings. It was entitled:
The real desecration; Ban on flag-burning a betrayal of U.S. values The editorial concluded with:
Justice William J. Brennan Jr. wrote in 1989. "We do not consecrate the flag by punishing its desecration, for in doing so we dilute the freedom that this emblem represents." It is baffling that 66 senators - including California's normally level-headed Dianne Feinstein - cannot grasp Brennan's point: The flag doesn't symbolize blind loyalty. It symbolizes freedom. For the good of the nation, let's hope the Gang of 66 can't find another member for their ignorant club
Editorial Link
Many of the Democratic senators from swing states who are supporting or wavering on voting for this Amendment are bending to what they view to be political exigency. In addition to Feinstein, who has a lock on reelection, the other wavering Democrats are Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)
They remember Chuck Robb, who gave the most eloquent speech that I ever heard on the Senate floor in opposition to this Amendment in 2000. He told of coming back to the States from Viet Nam as a wounded decorated combat officer and being assigned to campus recruiting. He was vilified, including having American flags burned in his presence. Rather than feeling revulsion, he told how it enhanced his pride in his country. He said it was the very freedom that he had risked his life for in Viet Nam.
Having been an undefeated Governor and Senator from Virginia, he was on the fast track to a shot at the Presidency. He lost his reelection bid by a hair; his opposition to this Amendment is often cited as providing the votes to end his political career.
Now the stakes are even higher. This amendment consecrating the flag would now be validating the movement towards a nationalistic religiosity started under President Bush and given currency by his permanent War on Terror. While the number of prosecutions under this law will be nil, the message will be profound. Each Democrat who votes for this abomination may be preserving his or her seat, but will be diminishing the party as a source of resistance to the transformation of our country that so many of us deplore.
Respond to the poll to show wavering Democratic Senators how you would view their voting for this Amendment. Try to keep this dairy active by recommending it in the Tip Jar, so the Senators will have the benefit of maximum input.
