(August 31, 2016 at 11:57 pm)AFTT47 Wrote:(August 31, 2016 at 11:30 pm)Chad32 Wrote: It is a little odd to see people get riled up over protesting regarding the flag or national anthem, when one of the first things those things are supposed to stand for is the freedom to protest.
People just don't seem to think of that. I'll never forget my NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) Leadership School in the US Air Force. Out of a class of thirty+, I was one of three who vigorously opposed the latest (at the time in 1991) proposed anti flag-burning Constitutional Amendment. We three were also opposed by the instructor. It bugged the shit out of me. How could you serve, sworn to defend the Republic from all enemies, foreign and domestic - while opposing the signatory principle of the Republic - Freedom of Speech.
I think one of the things a lot of people don't get is that when people freely speak their minds, they might say things you don't like. That's when freedom of speech is MOST needed! Freedom of speech would be pretty useless if it was limited by what the majority agreed with! Freedom of speech means freedom to vent ANY opinion. It loses its power and relevance otherwise.
I was in at the time too, and had probably the same arguments you did.
Found it disturbing that they thought so little of their oaths, but I reckoned that I'd work to try to change their minds, and exude myself confidence that liberty wins out. But the knee-jerk is strong in those of us trained to march. Hard to get past.
