From: Hrothgar@yabbs
To: all@yabbs
Subject: re: prayer in school
Date: Tue Aug  9 18:56:01 1994
ok ok ok, maybe my thoughts are a bit nationalistic and idealistic, but, 
as a military guy, I take those things very seriously and very personally. 
No, I don't think saluting the flag (or pledging ineveryone else's case) 
is just revering a bunch of cloth.  Relating this to religious issues, 
it's kinda like trans-substantiaition, for all you Catholics out there.  
Once a flag is made, it's no longer just a colored cloth, it symbolizes 
America.  And yes, some of you don't have the highest views on why most of 
us are here and the values this country was based on, but face it - this 
country is a bastion of hope for the entire world.  People save money 
their entire lives, not to come here, but just to send ONE child here, so 
that maybe he or she can have a better life than they.  That's not some 
idealistic propaganda I whipped up in my sleep one night, that's the way 
it is, and has been for over two centuries.
Before you all continue to bash me and the country I have pledged to die 
for, think about what this country means to you, and if you feel this 
country, and everything that symbolizes America and it's freedom (the 
flag, Statue of Liberty, even a baseball or a dollar bill), does not 
represent the most free, democratic, and well-governed nation in the 
world, then spend your life saving money so that YOUR child can live 
somewhere that's better.

Thank you, I will step down from my soap box and speak no more...

Hroth