No Respect

Rodney Dangerfield used the line, “I don’t get no respect.” It is unfortunately sad but true, that today some people have no respect for cemeteries, memorials, and the Stars and Stripes of the American flag. I saw a photo of the Vietnam Memorial where it had been defaced with spray paint of a graffiti pervert. I’ve seen photos of cemeteries where warped people have driven through them, damaging the grounds and the headstones of loved ones who have passed on. Almost daily, I see and hear of reports where the American flag is trod upon or burned.

What is wrong with these people? They may not like America, but that is no reason to try to destroy a country that allows you to voice dissent. That is no reason to desecrate the resting place of people who have worked hard all of their lives to provide a system where even the indigent has a chance to live above the world’s poverty level. There is no reason to deface a memorial of brave men and women who fought in a war that their government said they must. You may not agree there was a just cause for the fighting, but these heroes fought because they were asked to do so.

America has asked her citizens to fight for freedom since its inception. The wars have claimed many lives and that in itself is sad, but the fact that some people ignore and denigrate those lives which were lost are the lowest type of people and have no right to the claim to be Americans. Rights are not earned by being responsible. They are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Unfortunately, our rights are being ignored and eroded every day.

Today, we celebrate our day of independence and the birth of our nation. Be proud of the fact that we are free and we still have rights.