http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/women/news/2003/02/23/vet_protest_ap/ 

This girl is protesting for only she knows what. The statement she gave made no sense to me. She doesn't agree with the Iraq crisis, and doesn't like our past history. Yet, she takes full advantage of the freedoms that the Flag symbolizes, such as going to the college of her choice, playing college sports, etc. This kind of person makes me sick to my stomach.

my kids were taught not to stand when the teacher was leading the class in a prayer. were they not entitled to attend school?

I can only imagine the embarassment they must've felt at obeying your orders!

Looks like they turned out ok, still time for you!

DrMaddVibe

no, they were confident in themselves and didn't feel threatened or influenced by others, but neither did they feel in any way superior. they kept their own counsel.

Prayer is a totally separate issue.

Tar is right Ric. Freedom of religion is not the issue here. If she feels that strongly then she can pack up her tampoons and get the hell out of here.

There is a little knee-jerk conservatism going on here. I was at a basketball game once with my Father-in-law. There was a guy who did not stand for the anthem. Father-in-law said "Don't you want to do something about that?" (me being Navy). I said "Great thing about this country is you can do or not do as you damn well please." "And I defend his right not to do it." I didn't agree with him. But where does it say I have to? Or vice versa. I'll say it again: More freedom, not less!

What disheartens me most about these people is that in a moment in time a man bled to death loving and supporting the very flag she shamefully turns away from......she is protesting the system, I know that, but there is a better time and place to do so.
When I say the pledge my heart goes out to every soldier who has gravely suffered what the rest of us couldn't even imagine in a nightmare, and they did it for this country. They deserve much more than what this snot-nose is giving them!!

It's a very difficult concept for some people to grasp. Having the freedom to bash your country's ideologies, but not realizing that if...if someone was not their to defend that freedom, you wouldn't have it to bash. I just accept they don't understand. Hearing the national anthem is very very special to me; I can visualize someone losing their life for me, whether right or wrong in whomever's eyes; they lost their life so that we can have these freedoms we take for granted every day. Believe it...if another country knew we would not fight for freedom and what we have in this country, we'd be so worse off freedom would only be a concept and dream. Whoa, fell off my soapbox and dropped me eye patch! arrghh!

Very intereesting perspective X. One I had not considered.

But in the US we are not free to do as we please. We aren't free to not pay taxes, we aren't free to kill people at will, we aren't free to burn someone's house. So sometimes more freedom isn't better.

If the flag presented was a war flag and she turned her back on it because she didn't believe in the war I could maybe see that. But the US flag stands for a lot more then a war with Iraq. By turning your back on it you are in effect saying I want nothing to do with this flag. And thus you are saying you want nothing to do with this Country. And I say if you dislike it that much leave. There are plenty of other countries to live in.

Sonny,

When IS the better place and time to do so?

To all,

I love perusing these boards and reading the opinions of all you out there. I learn a lot from all of you. I have never been the most politcal person or kept up as much as I probably should on local and world issues and I have enjoyed expanding my knowledge base indirectly through EVERYONE here (from Rick A. to Dr. M.)in the last 6 months or so.

But it AMAZES me how in one instance, some people can seem so enlightened and in the next instance, be some of the most narrow minded, pompous, bitter people I could ever come in contact with.

This country was founded on and has continued to stand on a person's freedom to voice their opinion on any subject, including what this country's (sp?) government, in their opinion, may or may not be doing wrong. They have the right to demonstate this in any manner they see fit as long as it is not illegal.

This young lady has some very strong beliefs and is expressing those beliefs in the most American way she can. Through her freedom of expression. Whether I agree with her or not, I am proud that she is an American.

BTW- The American Flag does not just represent all of the brave soldiers that have fought and died in this countries battles. I also represents all of the brave souls that have stood up for their beliefs, stood up against opression, stood up against injustice and just stood up and have been struck down for doing so.

Very well put uncleb and it's through your type of post that I too learn something more and it will move me to think a little before just putting something down. The flag truly does stand for more than just someone defending this country.

Exactly the point Uncleb. The flag stands for more then just defending this Country. It stands for more then just a war with Iraq.

When she turns her back on the flag she is turning her back on EVERYTHING it stands for. And that I think is what upsets people and makes them give these knee jerk reactions.

No we are not free to murder and burn and rape. That would be anarchy and I am not for that. I do believe there are a lot of unnecessary and redundant laws though. Plabonte that girl did not say what you THINK she said. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. I don't like what she did. I don't like flag burning. But it doesn't harm anyone. Laws against these things are against precisely what I believe the flag stands for. They are an unnecessary infringement on our liberties. Many people gripe about political correctness but when THEY are offended see nothing wrong with limiting others freedoms.

PUKE!

Sonny,

LMAO!

Oh I agree that we can't make it (and shouldn't make it) a law that you can't turn you back on a flag, burn it, etc. I'm only saying if she dislikes the flag and what it stands for so much she should move somewhere where she likes thier flag better better.

There are lots of things we are free to do which are morally wrong. If someone is going to jump from a building there isn't a law that says you have to try to talk them down. If your neighbors house is on fire there isn't a law that says you have to call the fire department. There isn't a law that says you have to tip a waitress. Somethings we do and don't do because we know that its the right thing to do or the wrong thing irregardless of law. This is one of those things. But that is just my opinion and if everyone shared my opinion I wouldn't have anyone to argue with to make the day go a little faster.

Anybody who does not respect and honor the American Flag is a suspect individual in my opinion. Send her ugly ass to Iraq and let her show disrespect for their rag of a flag and see what would happen to her.

Do not feed me this ACLU crap about it is her right to tarnish the image of Freedom. The men and women who died for our flag deserve more respect than this from that little bitch!

Charlie

Freedom to have one's own beliefs is entirely different from the freedom to burn houses, not pay taxes, and kill a person. While I may not have the same beliefs as her, I don't feel she is doing anything wrong. Besides, who is she harming? Also, your opinion on how she feels about the flag may not be accurate.

Yes, it's an important distinction. People did not die for the flag. They died for what the flag represented to them. Today, what the flags represents is very subjective. The important thing is we get to say and demonstrate what it represents to us. To be a good American you don't have to be patriotic. And being patriotic doesn't mean you are a good American. Me? I get choked up during the Star Spangled Banner. When I look at the flag I am reminded of all the good things in this country. Maybe the guy next to me doesn't feel that way and is not afraid to show it. That's his RIGHT!