From: CLARK@EVMSVMS.BITNET
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.politics
Subject: The Symbol of America
Date: 11 Nov 92 03:43:00 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Original_To:  BITNET%"POLITICS@OHSTVMA"

A few years back, while editor of the grad student newspaper at CUA, I
wrote an editorial about which I felt strongly.  Due to the fact that so
many letters that issue were about the same thing, I decided to scrap it
and it never saw the light of day.  Until now.  It's short, sweet and to
the point.  I just dug it out of my floppy file.  It may mean something to
someone out there, especially in light of the recent thread.  Unedited, and
showing some need for improvement, here it is.

     America stands for freedom.  How do we demonstrate that
liberty to the world?  Well, we have symbols.  Like Mom,
baseball, hot dogs and American cars.  Uh, forget the American
cars.  Anyway, these symbols mean something to us - not just as
symbols but as concrete objects.  And when anyone goes and does
something like burn one of these symbols, some of us think they
should have to answer for it.
     Today, some people look to destroy one of our most revered
and sacred articles.  Yes, we all know about this damn "burning"
issue.  And I know we all feel strongly about it.  Even those who
feel they have the right to go ahead and burn one get upset:
they say that it's guaranteed in the Constitution.  President
Bush got together some folks and looked into that.  And you know,
the matter isn't too clear.  So to avoid any confusion (as well
as any destruction) they are formulating an Amendment to the
Constitution to take care of this vital national concern.
     I agree that it's every citizen's right to go out and buy
one.  It might even be cheaper to make one yourself, although
we've all seen examples that prove not everyone can do it right.
And I know that they don't come in kits with detailed
instructions.  All I'm saying is that some real bright people got
together years ago and came up with certain guidelines for us to
use.  I mean, we all want to share equally in what it means for
us; we just think that some folks don't know what they're doing
and could even hurt themselves.  Besides, what does it prove when
you burn it?  That you just don't know what you're doing - that's
what it proves.  You can't even enjoy it anymore once you burn
it.
     Some people are saying that we don't need an amendment to
solve this problem.  Members of our government are working on a
bill of protection.  Well, what about when you have interstate
problems?  You know, someone from Idaho visits their cousins in
Minnesota, they burn one and all hell breaks loose.  No sir, an
amendment is what we need.  It will help us sleep better at
night.  I mean, the Constitution was formed by great men in a
great time.  To know that something we regular folks have made
and revere rests protected along side their timeless ideals,
well, that's just damn patriotic.
     You know what else? Men and women have died for this
national symbol.  And it's not just another symbol representing
the U.S.  It is an entity to itself.  During wars (and even in
peacetime, some places) you couldn't even get one - demand was
high and supply of raw material low.  They really *were* fighting
and dying so back home their relatives and neighbors could have
their own.  And we don't need fools who don't know what they're
doing burning one after all those folks who gave their lives.
     I know the amendment process will take a long time.
Manufacturers of this great Symbol of Freedom (as well as those
who only make the parts so we can make them ourselves) will have
to cooperate.  And people will just have to either learn how to
make and handle them right or let someone else do it.  To burn
one would be not only illegal but a personal disgrace.  To borrow
a phrase - "if you can't *regulate* the heat, get out of the
kitchen."  You all know that one.  Well, what do you think they
were talking about?  Please, please don't burn America's Greatest
National Symbol, the _Apple Pie_.  If you can't make one the
right way, buy one from the bakery - or let someone else bake one
for you.  Remember: "the Allies didn't die so you could burn a
pie."




-T.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU