The burning of the family’s flag was a vile and repugnant act. Significantly, it was a direct attack on a family’s home that could possibly have resulted in physical harm. Thus it goes beyond simple vandalism to assault. It was also an attack on American values and ideals.
This is not how we as Americans express our opinions on political matters. You can be unhappy with the outcome of an election. You can have dramatic differences of opinion on matters of policy and values with the candidate that wins an election. The way you deal with that is to go to work to build support for your views so that they can influence political behavior in the near term and hopefully influence election outcomes in the future.
Committing vandalism and violence against people that supported candidates or issues differently than you is more than just petty and small minded; it is evil. The same holds true for stealing or defacing campaign signs, bumper stickers, etc. You should defend yourself appropriately if your life or liberty is in jeopardy. But a normal political campaign hardly rises to a level to justify the kinds of ugly actions I have discussed.
When our candidate or issue loses, we should behave toward those with whom we disagree as we would like them to behave toward us when our side comes out on top.
Fortunately, many in the community adhere to the principles I discussed in my post about acting nobly. As reported in the Standard Examiner, many have given flags to the family whose flag was burned. I have learned that a number of the flag donors were McCain supporters. Regardless of who they supported in the election, many have come forward to demonstrate that American values are more important than an election outcome. For that I am grateful.
I don’t know if authorities will catch those involved in this crime. But now that many have come forward to support this family, I hope that the criminals are ashamed of their despicable actions.
Fortunately, many in the community adhere to the principles I discussed in my post about acting nobly. As reported in the Standard Examiner, many have given flags to the family whose flag was burned. I have learned that a number of the flag donors were McCain supporters. Regardless of who they supported in the election, many have come forward to demonstrate that American values are more important than an election outcome. For that I am grateful.
I don’t know if authorities will catch those involved in this crime. But now that many have come forward to support this family, I hope that the criminals are ashamed of their despicable actions.
2 comments:
Destructive behavior such as this flag burning or defacing campaign signs is a sign of weakness or ignorance. I pity anyone who is so small as to engage in such acts (not enough pity to let them go or argue against them paying the full penalty for their crime).
We designated conservatives must be a light in the darkness, wherever we may be. I live in a one-party neighborhood in a one-party community. All local elections are settled in the Democratic Party primary, not in the general election. The last Republican to hold local elective office here was booted out more than 20 years ago.
Am I discouraged? No. I hold my candle of conservative values high. My Democrat friends and neighbors know what I believe, and most respect me for them, because I share my beliefs in a respectful way.
More importantly, the light of this candle in the darkness is reflected in the eyes of those of my neighbors who are still in-the-closet, afraid of what our liberal neighbors will say if they’re exposed as conservatives.
If we designated conservatives don’t stand up for our values, who will?
For more, visit the Designated Conservative at http://dcon2012.wordpress.com/.
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