SH, I used to feel as you do now - but I worked with a man who described the hate, horror and fear in a burning cross. Then I witnessed the hate involved in burning someone in efigy. Flaunting the swastika in Skokie is wrong. I'm personally repulsed by flag burning, wearing it on clothing, letting it touch the ground, etc. But I would still not vote to prohibit any of this. I just wish there was more respect for other people's symbols. (Sounds like I agree with you - but on a continuum, I'm a little farther toward protection, just not willing to vote on it.)

(I see an analogy to the "trainwreck thread" at Mudcat. Stupid/hateful/vengeful words on the Internet would be meaningless if they were ignored by all...but they aren't...and never will be.)

Just yesterday the flag on my house became untied in one place, and I was sick until I fixed it.