I apologize for the offense I am about to commit in the eyes of some people.

I am exercising my constitutional right to free speech by speaking against the prohibition against burning the American flag.

One frequent argument is that soldiers fought and died for the flag.

I seriously doubt that any soldier fought for any and all pieces of cloth.

I admit I have never fought in battle, and I cannot know the emotions felt by raising the flag over a field upon which American forces have been victorious.

Yet I think if I were to fight, I would fight not for the stars and stripes, but for what that flag stands for.

The flag stands for all those freedoms that we take for granted until we must defend them.

Yet the flag stands also for home, for all those memories of loved ones and pleasant times and beautiful places that we have experienced.

It is for these cherished memories that I would fight, not for a chance to see a flag wave over a place that has been hell on earth.

When victory is declared, a flag is raised, which inspires and makes the battle seem worthwhile.

Probably any symbol of America would serve this purpose, yet a flag is more handy than releasing a bald eagle, or planting a rose, or erecting a miniature Statue of Liberty.

This is why so much emotion is attached to the flag, and why it seems that the flag is the goal of the fight.

No more emotion should be attached to it than other symbols. The eagle is protected because it is a living animal.

Roses are regularly cut, and other emotions are attached to them by people.

The Statue of Liberty is generally recognized as unique, though miniatures, which fail to capture the glory of the massive original, abound.

The American flag is but a piece of cloth, and its design is abused even more frequently than the statue’s.

It should not receive special protection even as a national symbol.

Why would those who would protect the flag allow other countries’ citizens (unless you make burning our flag an act of war) an action which is not allowed our own citizens?

Dissenters among our own populace have often pointed us to a better path, and if they burn a flag to get attention, maybe their cause is something to which attention should be paid.

Jeni Nosbich

Senior

German