I opened up a Washington, D.C.-based publication recently to an article that featured a United States Citizenship ceremony. It was uplifting to see pictures of beaming faces of those born elsewhere who view their newly received citizenship as an entitlement and not an embarrassment as the flag burning activist “Jesse” clearly does.

Today I was skimming the NH Free Press and came upon an ungrateful punk spouting his discourse on the costliness of the abhorrent institution behind Election Day, and dissatisfaction with not being able to “opt out of the system”.

How about the costliness of slain American bodies and blood of our brothers and sisters spilled on foreign soil? That to these honorable men and women, we are not saluting the Union Jack or speaking German. I am confused about how “worship of the state” comes into play. The United States emblem (which is our flag) embodies the country in its totality – the “District of Columbia” included.

The destructive act of purposefully setting fires in order to prove a point is never “peaceful”, and is definitely not an attention getter that is warranted without outcome. In this proposed blatant act of aggression, the object to be sacrificed to the flames embodies the collective fiber of the nation as a whole, and is not just an affront to the “sentimental values” of a bureaucratic elite.

The giving of public notice to this event before it takes place is ballsy indeed, but the burning is a personal attack and an “up yours” to anyone who has ever served in the military, or has attended the homecoming of a beloved family member to be greeted by the Stars and Stripes atop a wooden box.

Speaking about personal liberty, Mr. Maloney (rhymes with “baloney”), and respect for your yearning to “opt out of the system”, I personally know several vets who wouldn't mind shaking your hand, springing for your plane ticket, and shipping you off to some remote island with a boot planted up your ass.

Said “island” would be emblazoned by no flags (this means no symbols to desecrate) and no inherent moral injustices (laws) would exist. Maybe your envisioned liberty would be further enhanced by an opportunity to engage in dialog with the local land sharks – Sink or swim, bro!

The Vietnam-era Steppenwolf song comes to mind as I close..”Who needs ya”. I'll be giving “Jesse” a call if the day comes when I am among the many corralled to the polls with an AK-47 pressed against my temple. Until then, I remain “Gratefully Dedicated”. United We Stand!!

Colby A. Lynch
Manchester, NH