Senator Dianne Feinstein,
Senator Barbara Boxer,
Representative Anna Eshoo
Thank you for your diligence and excellent representation in the US Congress.
I am writing today to urge you to oppose the ‘flag desecration’ legislation.
While our flag is a symbol of freedom and deserves respect, respect can only be earned, not legislated. Any laws mandating penalties for flag ‘desecration’ would serve also to suppress certain kinds of free speech, and serve as a precedent for even more restrictive laws.
In fact, I have an issue with the use of the word ‘desecration’ here. It implies that the flag is a sacred object. While I understand that the religious right is probably milking this for all the political mileage they can, perhaps they should look to their own texts. I seem to recall a prohibition against idol worship. Treating a cloth flag, even of a proud and respected nation, as if it were a holy relic, would seem to run smack up against said prohibition.
Sincerely,
Strata R Chalup
Woman Small Business Owner (Virtual.Net Inc)
California Resident since 1991
US Citizen (3rd generation)
Frequent Donor to: EFF, Heifer Project, American Red Cross, Grameen Foundation
Relentless Inquiry 
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