Independence Day!

The flag code composed in 1923 and adopted by Congress in 1942 states:

"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing."

I was immediately reminded, of course, of the mystical doctrine of "transubstantiation" in the Catholic religion:

"...by the consecration of the bread and wine a change takes place in which the entire substance of the bread is changed into the substance of the Body of Christ our Lord, and the entire substance of the wine into the substance of His Blood."

Rather than get into any debates, I simply wish to celebrate the miracle of our great country and it's truly unique history and purpose in the world today as a beacon for everyone who believes in freedom (people wouldn't die trying to come here if that weren't true).

The defeat of the recent "flag burning amendment" certainly proves that not everyone believes our flag is actually a "living thing" but do not think that the desecration of this symbol means nothing either: it means that those who desecrate do hate what it stands for and of those, some will actively seek to end this country as we know it.

Is that a good thing? Unfortunately, we hear the voices of many in this country who believe it is. But then someone should tell all those people who die trying to come here not to bother.