"Flag, Bill of Rights deserve respect"

Chicago Daily Southtown
June 14, 2005

THE ISSUE: Congress, again considering a constitutional amendment to outlaw 'flag desecration," may be trying to address something that isn't a problem.
WE SAY: Unintentional mistreatment of the American flag is a far more prevalant problem.

Today is Flag Day, and once again, Congress is considering a constitutional amendment to outlaw burning or otherwise "desecrating" the American Flag.

Flag desecration is a rare occurrence. It represents no threat to our way of life. Amending the Constitution — making the first change in history to the Bill of Rights — ought to worry all of us far more than the occasional and unusual political protest of burning the flag.

Proponents of a flag protection amendment claim to be patriots. In fact, they are proposing limits on our right to disagree with the politicians in charge, which is often the intent of the rare public flag-burning. Certainly, burning the flag is offensive to most Americans; but a law prohibiting dissent ought to offend us far more.

Staff writer Guy Tridgell and staff photographer Chris Sweda reported on a far more prevalent form of flag abuse in Sunday's Insight section, and one that concerns us more than the act of burning the flag. That is, the disrespectful and apathetic act of allowing a flag to fly until it becomes a tattered rag.

Tridgell and Sweda in a short spin through the southwest suburbs easily found several examples of flags that had been left out in the weather, apparently for months, until they were torn, faded and sometimes barely recognizable as Old Glory.

Flag etiquette requires several common sense protocols. Flags should be taken down at dusk, and should be left on display through the night only if they are illuminated by a light. The American flag should be taken down in bad weather, unless it is made of weather-proof material. And when a flag becomes worn, it is supposed to be disposed of in a dignified manner. VFW and American Legion posts regularly dispose of flags that have become worn, torn or weather-beaten, and their members often will agree to dispose of an old flag if they are asked.

We encourage our readers to proudly fly their flags today, on the Fourth of July and later this summer on Labor Day. But don't put it up and forget about it until the wind and rain tear it to shreds. Treat it respectfully and replace the flag when it begins to show the inevitable effects of age and weather.