Hi John,

Did you mean to address this to me? I ask, because I have had to 'throw down.' I hope I never need to again. That doesn't make me a better or more loyal American, it only makes me an American with a different perspective.

I agree with Tamar that you cannot and should not judge anyone's loyalty to this country based on their not placing their hand over their heart during the national anthem. I was trained to do so in school and you know what happens to soldiers who don't follow the code :o) However, not everyone learned that in school or from their parents. Not everyone served in the military, the police force, the fire department, or other civil service position. Because of my military background, it is a pet peeve of mine. When I hear the national anthem and people don't demonstrate respect for it (as I feel they should), it bothers me. I have to keep in mind that just because they don't salute the flag or place their hand over their heart during the national anthem doesn't mean they don't believe in and honor this country. Nothing bothers me more than to see a flag in poor condition displayed.

That is a separate issue entirely and has nothing to do with believing in or supporting the current (or past) administrations. You can be loyal to your country and despise everything your government or the cabinet does. Thank goodness we have elections to change that every few years.


>>http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/36/301.html
>>
>
>If you've never had to defend anyone, you might not feel the way we do, I reckon. Platitudes and learned discourse are all well and good, but at some point, somebody has got to be ready to "throw down."
>
>I love the way the liberals like to assume that the rest of the world is such a kind place, and if we leave them alone, they will leave us alone. On the other hand, I believe the old saying about a strong offense being a good defense.