Free Speech vs. the Flag     To this, Mr. Cadmus says: "The
voice of the American people has been heard and heeded."  He
goes on: "I salute the House of Representatives for . . .
returning to the people a fundamental right that had been
exercised from our beginning as a nation -- the right to protect
our flag."  Excuse me while I choke to death from laughing.
Now, let me say right upfront that I don't believe in
desecrating the flag. In fact, while this may not sit well with
some STR readers, I actually respect the damn thing. However,
unlike a lot of people I know, I don't respect it because I
think it stands for "freedom" or "democracy." No, I respect it
in much the same way I respect the finest local restaurants,
architecture, and festivals. I respect it as a cultural symbol
-- not a political one. I love my country. I love its scenery,
its history, its people. I laugh whenever I'm asked, "If you
think it's so bad here, why don't you leave?" Why should I
leave? I was born and raised here. Get rid of the t