America's Strength, cont'd

Some more wisdom from the pages of today's New York Times, this time from "ordinary" Americans--letters that appeared on the failure of the flag-burning amendment.

From Doug Tunnell, of Newberg, OR:

"That a flag-burning amendment could be successfully resurrected as an issue worthy of consideration by our elected representatives is sad enough.
"That it could capture the attention of politicians who idled as our government contrived a false case for an ill-conceived war that by some estimates has cost at least as many lives — American and Iraqi — as the United States lost in Vietnam is tragic.
"That it failed by just one vote is absurd."

From Greg Nichols, of Siasconset, MA:

"The flag is desecrated not through burning but through the erosion of constitutional liberties."

Alice DuBon, of Mahopac, NY, wrote:

"The flag stands, among other things, for the Bill of Rights. The idea of changing the Constitution in this way is in itself disrespectful to the flag.
"Where are the flag-waving 'patriots' when our flag is truly being disrespected — when it is left out in all kinds of weather and at all times of the night until it is little more than a rag?
"Where are they when people treat it as if it were mere decoration?
"A person who burns the flag at least pays it the respect of believing that it stands for the United States of America, rather than acting as if it were just another piece of cloth."

And, finally, a thoughtful opinion to the contrary, expressed by John Engelman, of Wilmington, DE:

"During the war in Vietnam, I attended protest demonstrations where the American flag was burned.
"I believe that sort of thing angered voters into electing hawks who prolonged the war effort.
"Burning the American flag contributes nothing of value to a political message.
"It alienates people whom dissidents should try to persuade. The legitimate function of political dissent is not self-expression; it is to change people's minds."