DEFECATING ON THE AMERICAN FLAG

The title is respectful to you the reader when the term defecation is used. But should be viewed it in its proper context in relating the facts at hand. Down and dirty.

We are talking about shitting on the American flag!

Disgusting! Vile! An abhorrence!

Shot the S.O.B. might be your first reaction. On calmer reflection, throw the bum out of the country!

This column is motivated by the news media picture this past week of an alleged Occupy Wall Street protester defecating on the American flag. There he was. Pants pulled down. Squatting. Doing it on the American flag.

Turns out the media jumped too quickly to report the news. Again. And in so doing, did it erroneously. The picture was taken at another protest more than four years earlier somewhere else.

Nevertheless, the erroneous news release provides an opportunity to share the law as it specifically applies to defecating on the American flag.

It is not a crime! It is Constitutionally protected! It is protected as free speech. A basic right. One each of us has.

Whether Wall Street or four years ago, each individual has the right to so express himself/herself. As disgusting and reprehensible the act may be, it does not violate the law.

What does bother me is that these malcontents who abuse our flag do not appreciate our country. Otherwise they would not act in such a repulsive fashion. It should be our country, right or wrong. If wrong, then we fix it. But don't shit on it! Just like the initial Texas flag.....Don't Tread On Me.

A final interesting consideration.  What would happen if this same act was done in Iran or Syria for example to the flag of those nations. Stoning, beheading or hanging. For sure.

People should think before they act. The outer limits are rarely required.