Good morning, Tom.

I'm not sure I get your point. (Actually, I think I do, and am not pleased, so I'd like a little more depth.)

Part of the point of liberty and justice for all is the right to express our patriotism in a personal way.

Some people are uncomfortable with flag displays because the flag has been used for many purposes over the years, not all of them noble. This does not make these people unAmerican antipatriots, any more than flag display makes those citizens jingoistic imperialist running dogs.

I suggest you reread the paragraphs about the Japanese-American who made an artistic/political statement by weaving the names of WWII internment camp inmates into the flag's design. The flag means more than simple love of country to her.

To this day, some people will "wrap themselves in the flag" when trying to further their own political agenda by demonizing their opponents as "unAmerican".

Nowhere in this article is anyone opposing their neighbor's right to display a flag. They only want to explain that the meaning of the flag has many layers, and for some, the acute awareness of those layers makes them uncomfortable displaying it themselves. How sad that someone who truly feels this way, but has given blood and gone to prayer vigils and donated money to the Red Cross and written letters of support to the families of the victims could be compelled to fly a symbol that has a mixed meaning for them because they're afraid that the neighbors will harass them.

And I fail to see how sleeping in flag pajamas is somehow more patriotic than participating in a candlelight vigil. Patriotic is as patriotic does, not as patriotic looks. This nation was not founded on enforced conformity, but on a commonly-held belief in liberty. We must beware of scorning those whose reactions and displays are unlike ours, for they may be our brothers and sisters.

Regards--
Mary Anne