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no one should have to fight to express dissent. In fact, in any other nation in the world most have this right without having to listen to a sea of weepy, preachy veterans (not all, of course) and elders who say that "people have fought and died for that flag". In brief, in a less warlike and violent nation the accusation that one must have fought in the armed forces to voice dissent would be completely disregarded.
Sure, people have fought and died for that flag. That was THEIR choice. But ours, mine and apparently that of Toni Smith and those like her, is to remain living. To live in a democracy is not the action of lazy beings, it is not the realm of spoiled, opinion bloated ignorants.
Civilians have every right, just as much as those in the military, to voice any dissent that they might have with their govt.
And since the flag has long represented oppression and imperialism for most living abroad, objecting to it is a good starting point for voicing such dissent.
[Edited by radiofreeusa on Mar 2nd, 2003 at 12:21 PM]
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