Sure I could do something a little less drastic to try and make my point. Would it put me on national news to hold a bake sale against Judaism? (No offense to Jews. I'm just giving this as an example.) I might get a five second blurb on Good Morning America if I raised over $10,000. Someone would roll their eyes and we'd be on the next segment. If you burned a symbol of importance you have just given yourself national and sometimes international coverage. If you were an American you'd get interviews, the blogosphere would talk about you for weeks. People would devote whole sites both for and against you. It might even net you a book deal for your cause.
To end this I'd like to quote a poem I heard today so we can all have a little perspective:
IT IS THE SOLDIER
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
(© Charles M. Province)
Taken From: Babalu Blog
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Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
It is all those other people - and the soldiers - who make life worth living.
Interesting "have my cake ..." post.
2 - Jeremy
Thanks Stark. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This may sound a bit strange, but after I heard this poem the first time (Zell Miller at the 2004 RNC) I wanted to go out and burn a flag, not in effigy, but in honor to the troops. Also, in honor of the others that don't wear uniforms that work hard to keep freedom free.
3 - Temple Stark
The poem's been around a long time.
Yes - that does sound strange. The flag is a beautiful symbol.
4 - Dave Nalle
There's a big difference between private protestors desecrating the Koran or burning the flag and that same action being taken by on-duty military personnel.
When some Wahabist fires up a Koran he's speaking only for himself. When a soldier does the equivalent while in uniform he's effectively acting on behalf of the military and his government.
Dave
5 - Jeremy
Actually, the Wahabist was speaking for his entire sect. It was a wahabist action, not some lone psycho.
6 - Flush Holy Books
It is great that we live in country where we have the freedom to express ourselves, even if it may offend some. flushaholybook.com allows you to flush the holy book of your choice.