When I was in 6th grade, I was one of two cub scouts at my elementary school responsible for raising and lowering the flag each day. It was a duty I took pretty seriously (evidently more seriously than I took tying up the rope when done, because that ended up in the trees the next day more times that I can remember).

Now, the flag reverence seems a bit much. For instance, that Senators can say with a straight face that there's nothing more important to be debating than a flag burning amendment? Freakin' ridiculous. It's just a symbol and, for that matter, a symbol of something that can easily be abused. Love of one's country has been an excuse for some pretty crappy things over the centuries. Was it Orwell who said that "When fascism comes to the US, it will be wrapped in an American flag"? We're such a patriotic nation that we sometimes forget that our country can be wrong.

I'm sorry. Today probably isn't the day to climb up on my soapbox, especially since there are so many things I love about America. I'm the Scrooge of the 4th of July, I guess. Bah humbug! ;^)

I agree with John about the flag burning issue as being a non-issue. It seems to run counter to our right to protest, regardless of how some people feel about the flag.

That said, I do take care of our flag and am careful to follow the proper care and storage requirements for it.

I hope you had a good 4th

Hi Catty---I hope your 4th of July was great! :)

Hi Catty, I hope you had a great weekend, girl!

I'm with you and Rosebud on this. I respect the flag, but a flag burning amendment would be forcing patriotism. It's the same as making a law saying we must love our country. Unless we have the free will to decide, I don't think patriotism can exist...at least, not in the true sense of the word.

What was the saying, "The last refuge of the scoundrel is patriotism." All your senators are members of the rich and richer club, most of whom either inherited or got their ill gotton gains by screwing the little guy. The Senate is a private club supported by the American taxpayer, mostly the little guy, the big guys pay very little taxes thanks to trust fund baby Bush.

You would think they had better things to work on, like reconstructing NOLA but hey, its not about work, its about play.

As an old military guy, our flag means something to me. The Colors, as we call them in the Canadian Army, are always treated with care and respect. They don't however have a life of their own and can be used in destructive ways to promote bogus patrotic agendas.

The important thing is "LIBERTY" and FREEDOM, all other concerns pale by comparison.

Its a little late but "Happy Independence Day" from one of your Canadian cousins. JWL