Flag diversion

Is it just me or was the recent Flag desecration debate in Congress a bit ridiculous?

We're at war, Americans are dying everyday, the Middle East is even less stable than usual, oil prices are way up, we're still recovering from Katrina, there's serious questions about the quality of the education our kids are getting, etc., etc. and the most important thing the Senate can think of to debate is what someone does with or to the Flag?

It's not that the flag doesn't have meaning; it does. But what is important are the virtues, principles and freedoms for which the flag stands. It is a symbol. Symbols don't have intrinsic importance themselves -- the things they stand for do.

In fact, I worry that when symbols become more important than the things they stand for, it is a confession that we've lost sight of the important things.

Who wants a symbol that is sacrosanct? That borders on magic or religion. There's nothing magical or religious about it.

Unfortunately, it's not hard to envision a day when America routinely violates the Bill of Rights yet punishes people for burning the flag because it is "holy."

Here's a hint to the Senate -- deal with the real virtues, bolster the ideals, uphold the freedoms, lead the world by example and action toward liberty and (surprise! surprise!), the flag will be respected. It will be honored and none but the radical fringe will desecrate it.

Focusing on the symbol rather than the values for which it stands is tantamount to a confession that the values have been lost.