American Civil Liberties Union: In Their Own Words: = Compendium of Veterans' Quotes Against the Flag Desecration = Amendment

From: Subject: American Civil Liberties Union: In Their Own Words: Compendium of Veterans' Quotes Against the Flag Desecration Amendment Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 11:57:27 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01C55BA0.C2FC8070"; type="text/html" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1441 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C55BA0.C2FC8070 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.aclu.org/news/NewsPrint.cfm?ID=11933&c=50 American Civil Liberties Union: In Their Own Words: = Compendium of Veterans' Quotes Against the Flag Desecration = Amendment

URL: http://www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeech.cfm?ID=3D11933&c=3D50=20

In Their Own Words: Compendium of Veterans' Quotes Against the = Flag=20 Desecration Amendment
March 4, 2004

I fear the unintended = consequences=20 of these 17 words and the laws that may be enacted later will be far = worse than=20 the consequences of us witnessing the occasional and shocking and = disgusting=20 desecration of this great symbol of liberty and freedom. =

Real patriotism cannot = be coerced.=20 It must be a voluntary, unselfish, brave act to sacrifice for others. = And when=20 Americans feel coercion especially from their government they tend to = rebel. So=20 none of us should be surprised Mr. Chairman if one unintended = consequence of the=20 laws that prohibit unpopular activity such as this is an actual increase = in the=20 incidents of flag desecration.

U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey=20 (D-NE)
Veteran of the = elite Navy=20 SEAL Team, the Navy's version of the Green Berets, and is currently the = only=20 member of Congress to have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, = America's=20 highest military honor.
Excerpted=20 from testimony given before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 28, = 1999=20

3D"Grey

The Constitution is a = document that=20 provides each citizen with broad rights. The right to assemble = peacefully; the=20 right to speak and publish freely; the freedom to worship without = interference;=20 freedom from unlawful search and seizure; freedom from slavery and = involuntary=20 servitude; the right to vote. It is these freedoms that define what it = means to=20 be an American.

In its more than 200 = years, the=20 Constitution has been amended only 27 times -- one time was acknowledged = a=20 mistake, and repealed. The amendments have reaffirmed and expanded = individual=20 freedoms. This proposed Amendment would not expand the list of freedoms. = This=20 Amendment for the first time would limit individual = freedom.

U.S. Senator John H. Chaffee = (R-RI)
Veteran of the = United=20 States Marine Corps who served in the original invasion forces at = Guadalcanal=20 and commanded a rifle company in Korea.
Excerpted from testimony given before the Senate Judiciary = Committee on=20 April 28, 1999

3D"Grey

As a Vietnam veteran who = lives daily=20 with the consequences of my service to my country, and as the son of a = WWII=20 combat veteran, and the grandson of a WWI combat veteran, I can attest = to the=20 fact that not all veterans indeed perhaps most veterans do not wish to = exchange=20 fought-for freedoms for protecting a tangible symbol of these freedoms. = I oppose=20 this amendment because it does not support the freedom of expression and = the=20 right to dissent.

Now, 31 years, 1 week = and one day=20 following the loss of my legs in combat, I am again called upon to = defend the=20 freedoms which my sacrifices in combat were said to preserve. It's been = a long=20 31+ years. I have faced the vexing challenge of reconciling myself with = the=20 reality of my military history and the lessons I have learned from it = and the=20 popular portrayal of veterans as one dimensional patriots, whose = patriotism MUST=20 take the form of intolerance, narrow-mindedness, euphemisms, and=20 reductionism-where death in combat is referred to as "making the = ultimate=20 sacrifice" and the motivation for service and the definition of true = patriotism=20 is reduced to dedication to a piece of cloth.

The strength of our = nation is found=20 in its diversity. This strength was achieved through the exercise of our = First=20 Amendment right to freedom of expression-no matter how repugnant or = offensive=20 the expression might be. Achieving that strength has not been easy-it's = been a=20 struggle, a struggle lived by some very important men in my life and me. =

I am offended when I see = the flag=20 burned or treated disrespectfully. As offensive and painful as this is, = I still=20 believe that those dissenting voices need to be heard. This country is = unique=20 and special because the minority, the unpopular, the dissenters and the=20 downtrodden, also have a voice and are allowed to be heard in whatever = way they=20 choose to express themselves that does not harm others. The freedom of=20 expression, even when it hurts, is the truest test of our dedication to = the=20 belief that we have that right.

Free expression, = especially the=20 right to dissent with the policies of the government, is one important = element,=20 if not the cornerstone of our form of government that has greatly = enhanced its=20 stability, prosperity, and strength of our country.

Freedom is what makes = the United=20 States of America strong and great, and freedom, including the right to = dissent,=20 is what has kept our democracy going for more than 200 years. And it is = freedom=20 that will continue to keep it strong for my children and the children of = all the=20 people like my father, late father in law, grandfather, brother, me, and = others=20 like us who served honorably and proudly for freedom.

The pride and honor we = feel is not=20 in the flag per se. It's in the principles that it stands for and the = people who=20 have defended them. My pride and admiration is in our country, its = people and=20 its fundamental principles. I am grateful for the many heroes of our = country-and=20 especially those in my family. All the sacrifices of those who went = before me=20 would be for naught, if an amendment were added to the Constitution that = cut=20 back on our First Amendment rights for the first time in the history of = our=20 great nation.

I love this country, its = people and=20 what it stands for. The last thing I want to give the future generations = are=20 fewer rights than I was privileged to have. My family and I served and = fought=20 for others to have such freedoms and I am opposed to any actions which = would=20 restrict my children and their children from having the same freedoms I=20 enjoy.

Gary May, who lost both legs = to a=20 landmine explosion while serving in Vietnam
Evansville, Indiana
Excerpted from testimony=20 given before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 20, = 1999

3D"Grey

I volunteered to join = the Navy at=20 the time in our nation's history that when there were innumerable = vehement and=20 destructive protests and dissents against the Vietnam War. It was my = choice to=20 join since my draft number was around 264. The protests occurring at = college=20 campuses around the country including my own took many forms -- there = were flag=20 burnings, draft card burnings, marches and sit-ins. These issues took on = even=20 greater significance when, during the Spring of my first year of = college,=20 students my own age were killed in anti-war protests at Kent State = University.=20

In light of those = events, I remember=20 being questioned and questioning myself about how I could morally = reconcile my=20 decision to join the military given the dissenting voices and arguments = put=20 forth by the anti-war protesters and my peers. The protesters caused me = to=20 reflect upon my decision. I reflected on the loss of tens of thousands = of=20 American lives fighting totalitarianism in a far off land and my = decision to=20 participate in the military that carried out the war.

It was not easy, but it = did help me=20 to think about what I was doing and more importantly - why!! =

I only had to look at my = own oath to=20 get the answer:

"I ...... do solemnly = swear that I=20 will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against = all=20 enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and = allegiance to the=20 same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation = or=20 purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the = duties of=20 the office on which I am about to enter, so help me = God."

Ultimately, my = responsibility was to=20 support and defend the protestors' under the First Amendment to the = Constitution=20 to freely express their opinion, even if I disagreed with what they were = saying.=20

So, it's the = Constitution that I am=20 sworn to uphold. It would be wrong to take an oath to uphold the = Constitution=20 and then to support a reduction in the rights granted under it. That's = what I=20 did for my wife and daughter and every other American.

So, the pride and honor = I feel is=20 not really in the flag per se. It's in the principles that it stands for = and the=20 people who have defended them. My pride and admiration is in our = country, its=20 people and its fundamental principles.

To this day, that pride = and=20 admiration is what I feel each and every time I stand, face the flag, = and come=20 to attention. I love this country, its people, and what it stands for. = But all=20 the sacrifices of those who went before me would be for naught, if an = amendment=20 were added to the Constitution that cut back on our First Amendment = rights for=20 the first time in the history of our great nation. After all, our nation = was=20 born out of political dissent. The last thing that I want to give the = future=20 generations, like my daughter and her children, are less rights than I = was=20 privileged to have. I fought for others to have such freedoms and am = opposed to=20 any actions which would restrict my child and her children from having = the same=20 freedoms I enjoy.

Joseph E. Rogers, veteran of = Desert=20 Storm/Shield
Richarson,=20 Texas
Excerpted from = testimony=20 given before the House Judiciary Committee on March 23, = 1999

I can safely speak for = my four=20 brothers Donald, William, Lanceford, Paul and myself -- all veterans of = the=20 second World War -- when I say one of the basic freedoms for which we = served is=20 that of free speech. Do not let anyone use the flag under which we = served as an=20 instrument to abridge our constitutional rights.

Richard = Soulsby
Vista, California

3D"Grey

When I volunteered for = service, I=20 took an oath to defend and preserve the Constitution of the United = States. I=20 still feel bound by that oath.

During basic training, = the Army made=20 sure that all soldiers were taught military courtesy, including proper = ways to=20 show respect for the flag. The word "courtesy" was used because we took = no oath=20 of loyalty to the flag, and we certainly were not required to to regard = the flag=20 as a sacred object in and of itself. The Flag Code, saluting the flag, = and=20 showing proper respect to the flag were ways of demonstrating our = respect for=20 the ideas that the flag symbolizes.

My understanding of what = our nation=20 and Constitution stand for gives me strong faith in the principles = embodied in=20 the Bill of Rights. That includes the right of people with whom I = disagree to=20 demonstrate openly, to protest, to struggle peaceably for what they = believe to=20 be right. My faith in the Bill of Rights is so strong that I must = support the=20 right of others to protest in any way that does not deprive others of = their=20 rights. If I were to fail to support te right to protest, I would also = fail in=20 my duty to support the Constitution. My religious faith includes the = commandment=20 "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." The U.S. flag is not a sacred = object.=20 No act of law, and no change in the Constitution, can make it so: God, = and God=20 alone, is sacred. Any law, any constitutional amendment that would call = a flag=20 so sacred that to harm it would be sacrilege would be an insult to my = deepest=20 religious beliefs. It would be a form of forcing me to worship a strange = god,=20 and thus violate what I take to be God's Commandments.

Michael Salovesh, veteran of = the Korean=20 war
De Kalb, = Illinois

3D"Grey

I am a 47 year old, = Noncommissioned=20 Officer with 25 years of service between Active Service and Reserve = Component=20 Service. I never smoked a day in my life, yet I got cancer of the = tongue, neck=20 and throat from my constant exposure to toxic munitions and explosives.=20

In all of my years of = service, I=20 never once disrespected the American flag, permitted anyone to = disrespect, or=20 allowed the desecration of the American flag anywhere that I served. I = was often=20 the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the flag detail, to raise and = lower the=20 flag on installations around the world, large and small. =

It always gave me great = joy to see=20 our flag raised by my service men and women on holidays. This was = especially=20 true on the Fourth of July, Independence Day, when we always raised an = enormous=20 Garrison flag that was, to me, a smiling ray of sunshine and a thing of = beauty=20 that represented our ideals of freedom, basic human independence and = equality=20 for all.

I hated to see other = repressive=20 dissidents burn our flag during my years of service in places such as = Iran, when=20 the American diplomats were taken hostage during the Carter = Administration and=20 in Iraq during Desert Storm. It really hurt my heart.

As much as I despise the = act, to=20 have Congress pass a constitutional amendment to prevent desecration of = the flag=20 is an insult to the American freedom, independence, righteousness, free=20 expression of our freedoms and glory that it flies for and represents. = It is the=20 ideals that the flag represents that should be guarded forever, = including the=20 freedom to fly it or not to fly it, according to the Constitution and = Bill of=20 Rights. To pas this amendment against flag desecration would be the = first step=20 to the United States to becoming a repressive government diminishing the = freedoms of speech and other basic rights of the American=20 people.

Robert E. Flock =
Staff Sergeant, United States Army=20 (retired)

3D"Grey

I am a Vietnam Veteran = and retiree=20 from the USAF and have recently been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, = and=20 incurable bone marrow cancer. Chances are very good that my disease was=20 triggered while serving in Southeast Asia.

As a veteran I view and = treat our=20 flag with the greatest respect and as a symbol of the sacrifices that so = many=20 veterans have made in the defense of our country in so many wars and = conflicts.=20 As such, it disturbs me to se this symbols desecrated in ANY manner = (even=20 wearing it on clothing).

In spite of my own = beliefs and=20 feelings about the subject, I do not wish to force them upon others, and = I=20 deeply resent our elected leaders forcing it upon the nation. I would be = curious=20 to see how many of those said leaders ever served their country in the = military.=20

It is my belief that our = leaders=20 have lost complete contact with the people and are trying their best to = erode=20 what freedoms we have left.

Kenneth E. Irvine, MSgt, = USAF, retired=20 after 25 years and eight months of service
Cincinnati, Ohio

3D"Grey

As much as I am = personally opposed=20 to acts of flag desecration, I am WHOLLY OPPOSED to Congress passing any = laws=20 abridging any rights of the citizens of the United States! A law that = takes away=20 the rights of the people to express themselves would be a far worse = crime=20 against this country than the loss of a flag due to desecration.=20

I volunteered to serve = my country=20 and served it well during that time. I have spent many months living on = a=20 submarine, underwater and overseas, under conditions deemed 'cruel and = unusual=20 punishment' for convicts, in order to try to protect the rights of all = the=20 citizens of this country. To have a law passed that effectively disables = the=20 First Amendment would be a slap in the face to me and to everyone else = who has=20 donated part or all of their life to preserving these = freedoms.

John Magruder, Machinist = Mate First=20 Class with Honors(retired) and eight year veteran of the Naval Nuclear = Power=20 Program
Aiken, South=20 Carolina

3D"Grey

I am a veteran of the = U.S. Armed=20 Forces, a person who spent two years training to be an officer at the = united=20 States Naval Academy. I have a hard time believing that there is anyone = in this=20 fine country as patriotic as I am. I grew up reading books about = military and=20 naval heroes, spent years trying to get into the Naval academy, and = still=20 continue to feel as though my true goal in life is to be laid to rest at = Arlington National Cemetery.

However strongly I feel = about my=20 nation's flag, I cannot bear the desecration of our Constitution that = such an=20 amendment would cause. I am strongly against the desecration of any = object of=20 national importance, but I also cannot mock the First Amendment by = taking away=20 our nation's constitutional right to do so. That flag has such meaning, = but the=20 meaning behind the flag is the greatness of our country. Passing a=20 constitutional amendment banning flag desecration would lead this nation = down a=20 slippery slope until all freedoms are regulated and = amended.

Annemarie = Spadafore
Elyria, Ohio

3D"Grey

As a Veteran of the = Armed Forces, I=20 have represented our flag and country both abroad and at home. I feel = that this=20 is an attack on our constitutional right to free speech. We are entering = a=20 dangerous area when we start changing our constitution on emotions. The = sheer=20 fact that people get very upset when they see a flag being burned is = testament=20 to the power of free speech, and political opposition. This country = should try=20 to protect people's right of free speech instead of trying to limit it = more and=20 more each day.

Please don't let your = country become=20 one that heads towards a police state by slowly tearing at the very = rights that=20 set us apart and atop the rest of the world.

Mr. Nathan S. = Osborn
Raleigh, North Carolina

3D"Grey

If the constitutional = amendment=20 against flag-burning passes, I will no longer use our flag as a symbol = of our=20 freedom. I will show my respect in other ways because my flag will have = lost its=20 meaning for me. And I will turn in my flag, with all respect due to it = (and to=20 him), to Sen. Orrin Hatch. He is one man I sincerely respect and admire = and=20 honor for all he has done for the American people. However, I cannot see = that=20 the coercion of loyalty is more important than the freedom to choose and = the=20 freedom to voice our protest. Finally, I am able to choose. And I=20 protest.

Doug Brown, veteran of the = Vietnam=20 war
Salt Lake City,=20 Utah
(Excerpted from = an op-ed=20 originally published in the Salt Lake Tribune on November 21, = 1997)

3D"Grey

I share the feelings = that gave birth=20 to the (flag) amendment; seeing our flag desecrated makes me angry. But = our=20 angry reaction is the point: it illustrates the power of flag = desecration as=20 symbolic speech. It is a most powerful way for someone to tell us thy = believe we=20 are doing something wrong, that we are not living up to our ideals.=20

I spent 30 years on = active duty in=20 the U.S. Army and believe strongly in our country and the principles on = which it=20 was founded. Preeminent among these are the freedoms of speech and = expression.=20 The United States has never done something that would drive me to = desecrate a=20 flag to express my opposition, but I believe we must preserve a = citizen's right=20 to express his or her political views in this way.

Before approving the = amendment,=20 Congress should reflect that many political and social changes, the = justice and=20 morality of which we take for granted, were initiated by people whose = sense of=20 outrage was not initially shared by most of their fellow citizens. Our = national=20 ideals were articulated in the Declaration and the Constitution, but = they were=20 only achieved through rough and tumble political conflict. It is = possible that=20 some will use this form of protest for trivial purposes, but there is no = requirement that free men and women exercise their freedoms only in ways = the=20 majority would approve.

If this amendment is = passed and=20 ratified, the government and the power of a majority will deprive = dissident=20 voices of a powerful means of speech and expression, but we will all be = less=20 free. We can learn to tolerate the anger and discomfort that flag = desecration=20 provokes and take time to reflect that it is a small price to pay to = safeguard=20 the freedoms of speech and expression that so few people enjoy in our = measure.=20

Mike Pheneger, Colonel - = United States=20 Army (Retired)
Originally=20 published in the Tampa Tribune on July 2, 1998

3D"Grey

As a veteran of Beirut, = Panama &=20 Desert Storm, I feel very strongly about our flag and what it stands = for. I am=20 permanently disabled as a direct result of my 15 years of service to our = country. I feel that our flag "Old Glory" stands for FREEDOM, JUSTICE = &=20 LIBERTY. It also symbolizes the BLOOD SPILLED by American service men = and women=20 who gave so much to protect it and what it stands for.

Though many of my = colleagues and=20 friends died, and were injured or wounded in action, they really were = not=20 wounded for it, the flag, but rather for it, Liberty and what the flag = stands=20 for. In reality it is really just a symbol of that sacrifice and more=20 importantly, our American ideals. Therefore, I am writing in opposition = to the=20 proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw desecration of the flag. = This=20 legislation, SJ Res. 40, is an unnecessary intrusion of our civil = liberties.=20

During my years as a = Paratrooper=20 & Special Forces "Green Beret" I had the opportunity, to travel to, = and be=20 involved with several countries with evil, oppressive governments. = Governments,=20 where the peoples civil rights were often abridged, or did not exist at = all. I=20 swore then that I would never live in a country, where the symbol of the = government, became more important than the peoples rights to live free = under=20 that government. I feel that the right to protest & political = expression, no=20 matter how stupid or offensive it may be to the majority, must be = allowed, as=20 long as it is peaceful.

This flag amendment will = place a=20 higher value on an inanimate object, a symbol, than the rights of the = people=20 living under it. The Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights, = gave=20 protection to "We The People." Flags, no matter how honored, do not have = rights,=20 people do, please protect them.

Any country that places = an inanimate=20 object, over its people has no real liberty. If this amendment passes, I = feel=20 flag burning will become a common form of protest against this = ill-conceived=20 policy.

As a true conservative, = I ask you,=20 when did it become conservative policy to recommend several changes to = the=20 Constitution? My brand of Conservatism does not include this doctrine. = You need=20 to help enforce the existing laws. Strengthen them as necessary, get rid = of the=20 stupid ones, and stop making new ones. I feel you have better things to = do with=20 your time & our tax dollars, than changing the constitution, for = something=20 that rarely occurs and is typically done by immature idiots. Please do = not=20 support this bill. Thank you.

MSGT (R ) Marvin Virgil = Stenhammar=20 (E-8)
U.S. Special = Operations=20 Command (Retired)
Testimony=20 before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
July 8, 1998

3D"Grey

I am a veteran, wounded = in combat in=20 World War II. The veterans of the Revolutionary War fought to overthrow = tyranny=20 and establish freedom. They did not fight to protect a piece of cloth = which=20 merely symbolizes our free nation. The founding fathers added to our=20 Constitution a Bill of Rights, which ensures the preservation of our = hard-won=20 freedoms. The flag desecration amendment would only dishonor our = ancestors'=20 struggle for freedom of speech by abridging that = freedom.

John = Rutherford
Excerpted from Letter to the Editor = published in=20 the San Francisco Chronicle on July 1, 1998
San Francisco, California

3D"Grey

As a combat veteran of = the United=20 States Army in 1968, I know it is wrong to burn the American flag. As an = American in 1998, I know it is infinitely more wrong for our government = to=20 suppress free expression.

The only possible = purpose for=20 physical desecration of the U.S. flag is protest. Our citizens must be = free to=20 protest and our government must be strong enough and freedom-minded = enough to=20 allow such protest. The reason I felt obligated to serve in the military = was my=20 belief in freedom in this county, including the freedom to protest by = burning=20 the American flag. A truly free country has nothing to fear from free = speech,=20 including the physical desecration of a symbol of = freedom.

While I have not = researched the laws=20 of Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia, I am confident that it was illegal = to burn=20 the swastika and the communist flag in those countries. Both of those=20 prohibitions were wrong, and it is just as wrong to limit free speech=20 here.

If you make it illegal = to express=20 free speech by burning the flag, you might as well make it illegal to = express=20 free speech by flying the flag. Is there really any difference between = these=20 rights?

Mike Smith
LaGrange, Georgia

3D"Grey

As a combat veteran who = experienced=20 much of the 'hell' that is war, I am despondent and angry that the = Senate is=20 seriously considering the desecration of our Constitution and its Bill = of=20 Rights.

Of course our flag = represents to me=20 and most vets, a revered symbol. The 'flag-burning' amendment, however, = is a=20 cowardly surrender to popular, unthinking, sanctimonious and counterfeit = patriotism.

No government, not the = German Nazis,=20 the Japanese Imperialists, the Russian Stalinists, the Italian Fascists, = or the=20 Cuban Communists, have or had any objection to safe, patriotic speech. = Safe=20 speech needs no guarantees of freedom, no Constitutional=20 protection.

The more unpopular, the = more=20 repugnant and revolting the speech, the more needed is the First = Amendment=20 protection. Virtually all of the Founding Fathers faced prison or worse = because=20 the government of the time found their speech to be offensive. They knew = from=20 first-hand experience how essential was the protection of even the most=20 abhorrent and controversial of political speeches or actions. =

Just as I would not = listen to some=20 offensive speech, I would not watch something as loathsome as the = desecration of=20 'Old Glory'. But I'd turn away and, if necessary, defend the right of = any of us=20 to be considered politically obnoxious or repugnant.

Shortly after the July = 4th holiday,=20 the Senate may consider emasculating the Constitution by allowing some = 'safe'=20 forms of political speech, but jailing persons whose speech may be = deemed=20 offensive to our patriotic symbols.

We veterans took an oath = to protect=20 our Constitution from all enemies. Who would have thought that the = United States=20 Congress could be an enemy threatening our freedom?

Tom E. Moses
Harpers Ferry, West = Virginia

3D"Grey

Our nation was not = founded on=20 devotion to symbolic idols, but on principles, beliefs and ideals = expressed in=20 the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. American veterans who have = protected=20 our banner in battle have not done so to protect a "golden calf." = Instead, they=20 carried the banner forward with reverence for what it represents - our = beliefs=20 and freedom for all. Therein lies the beauty of our = flag.

Keith A. Kreul, US Army = Veteran and Past=20 National Commander, The American Legion
(Excerpted from an op-ed originally published in the Leader = Newspapers,=20 Lyndhurst, NJ on June 11, 1998)

3D"Grey

In March of 1973, when = we were=20 released from a prisoner of war camp in North Vietnam, we were flown to = Clark=20 Air Force base in the Philippines. As I stepped out of the aircraft I = looked up=20 and saw the flag. I caught my breath, then, as tears filled my eyes, I = saluted=20 it. I never loved my country more than at that moment. Although I have = received=20 the Silver Star Medal and two Purple Hearts, they were nothing compared = with the=20 gratitude I felt then for having been allowed to serve the cause of=20 freedom.

Because the mere sight = of the flag=20 meant so much to me when I saw it for the first time after five and a = half=20 years, it hurts me to see other Americans willfully desecrate it. But I = have=20 been in a Communist prison where I looked into the pit of hell. I cannot = compromise with those who want to punish the flag burners. Let me = explain=20 myself.

Early in the = imprisonment, the=20 Communists told us that we did not have to stay there. If we would only = admit=20 that we were wrong, if we would only apologize, we could be released = early. If=20 we did not, we would be punished. A handful accepted, most did not. In = our=20 minds, early release under those conditions would amount to a betrayal, = of our=20 comrades, of our country and of our flag.

Because we would not say = the words=20 they wanted us to say, they made our lives wretched. Most of us were = tortured=20 and some of my comrades died. I was tortured for most of the summer of = 1969. I=20 developed beriberi from malnutrition. I had long bouts of dysentery. I = was=20 infested with intestinal parasites. I spent thirteen months in solitary=20 confinement. Was our cause worth all of this? Yes, it was worth all this = and=20 more.

I remember one = interrogation where I=20 was shown a photograph of some Americans protesting the war by burning a = flag.=20 "There," the officer said. "People in your country protest against your = cause.=20 That proves you are wrong."

"No," I said. "That = proves that I am=20 right. In my country we are not afraid of freedom, even if it means that = people=20 disagree with us." The officer was on his feet in an instant, his face = purple=20 with rage. He smashed his fist onto the table and screamed at me to shut = up.=20 While he was ranting I was astonished to see pain, compounded by fear, = in his=20 eyes. I have never forgotten that look, nor have I forgotten the = satisfaction I=20 felt at using his tool, the picture of the burning flag, against=20 him.

We don't need to amend = the=20 Constitution in order to punish those who burn our flag. They burn the = flag=20 because they hate America and they are afraid of freedom. What better = way to=20 hurt them than with the subversive idea of freedom? Spread freedom.... = Don't be=20 afraid of freedom.

James H. Warner, who had = been imprisoned=20 by the North Vietnamese from 1967 to 1973
(Excerpted from: Hentoff, Nat, Free = Speech for Me=20 - But Not for Thee: How the American Left and Right Relentlessly Censor = Each=20 Other, HarperCollins, 1992, pp. 238-239.)

3D"Grey

It is important that = there be=20 respect for our nation's flag. However, the flag is symbolic, whereas = the right=20 to express one's self under the right of freedom of speech is genuine = and real.=20 It should not now be altered.

Respect for the flag = must be=20 obtained by education, not by passage of laws. The respect that the flag = deserves cannot be instilled in people by the passage of laws that the = proposed=20 flag amendment would permit.

Where does Congress stop = when it=20 starts gutting the freedoms and rights guaranteed to all citizens by the = Bill of=20 Rights? All war veterans fought to preserve these rights. Passage of the = flag=20 amendment is a first step in limiting the freedoms guaranteed by the = Bill of=20 Rights.

Frank Foughty, a Marine = veteran who=20 fought in the Battle of Okinawa
North Dakota
(Excerpted=20 from an op-ed originally published in the Grand Forks Herald on November = 6,=20 1995)

3D"Grey

I, too, am deeply = dismayed and=20 saddened by the support of most veterans' groups for Sen. Orrin Hatch's=20 flag-protection amendment. I admit that I was angry the first time I saw = the=20 flag burning, but then I realized how privileged we are to live in a = country=20 where people have the freedom to protest, and, in fact, the flag-burner = did=20 nothing to anyone except offend sensibilities. Protesters only burn the = flag to=20 get attention. To make it a special exception to the First Amendment = will only=20 make it a more attractive form of protest. The flag issue has been an=20 interesting topic of discussion, but it is time to move = on.

I just wanted Lisa = Hendrickson to=20 know that not all veterans are emotionally blind to the significance of = our=20 constitutional freedoms.

Glade E. = Shepard
Sandy, Utah
(Excerpted from an op-ed originally = published in=20 the Salt Lake Tribune on January 5, 1996)

3D"Grey

I am a war veteran (four = years in=20 the Marines and a supervisor of the battle for Iwo Jima) and I love my = country.=20 But I believe that this idea of passing a constitutional amendment to = forbid the=20 desecration of our flag is a dumb idea. Is the purpose to force people = to be=20 patriotic by passing a law? Why try to take away a freedom of = expression? Is it=20 a means of pandering for votes from veterans = organizations?

Don W. = Bennion
Salt Lake City, Utah
(Excerpted from an op-ed originally = published in=20 the Salt Lake Tribune on September 17, 1996)

3D"Grey

I am a veteran. I served = proudly in=20 the Air Force for over seven years and served in combat position in = Desert=20 Storm. I consider myself to be a patriotic person. Always have. I = dislike=20 flag-burning, but I would never support a ban on it.

Flag-burning is not a = new=20 phenomenon. It has occurred for centuries, just as conducting burnings = in=20 effigy. The Founders knew of these forms of expression, yet they totally = ignored=20 any mention, in any way, of either. They were smarter than people today. = They=20 had more respect for, and understanding of the importance of, the = Constitution=20 than people do today. Today, people tend to see something they disagree = with and=20 immediately look at an amendment to the Constitution as a means of=20 ``correcting'' the wrong they perceive.

That is not the country = nor the=20 Constitution I was sworn to protect and serve (no mention of a flag), = and it is=20 not one I would ever serve in the future. Frivolous amendments would = make the=20 Constitution (and the people behind it) a mockery, a false image of what = it once=20 was and was supposed to be. Such would not be what I took an oath to = protect and=20 defend.

Patrick = O'Neil
Salt Lake City, Utah

3D"Grey

I served in Vietnam in = 1968, but=20 this fact does not make me more patriotic than anyone else and it does = not allow=20 me to cast aspersions on anyone else's patriotism. I will go to my grave = believing my service, and the service and sacrifices of my comrades, was = to the=20 ideals held forth in the Constitution. If that means I must continue to=20 tolerate, even protect the rights of people and beliefs that are = repellent to my=20 very soul, then so be it. It is a cheap price to pay for my=20 freedom.

Len Denney
Houston, Texas
(Excerpted from an op-ed originally = published in=20 the Houston Chronicle on February 28, 1998)

3D"Grey

I am an eight-year = military veteran=20 that takes exception to being called a liberal purely because I support = the=20 right to burn the U.S. flag. The Stars and Stripes should be above = manipulation,=20 but the warmongers have co-opted the standard. Therefore, burning the = symbol is=20 a legitimate antiwar expression.

John King
Houston, Texas
(Excerpted from an op-ed originally = published in=20 the Houston Chronicle on February 28, 1998)

=A9 ACLU, 125 Broad Street, = 18th Floor New=20 York, NY 10004 This is the Web site of the American Civil = Liberties Union=20 and the ACLU Foundation.
Learn=20 more about the distinction between these two components of the = ACLU.

User=20 Agreement | Privacy= =20 Statement | FAQs=20 =

------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C55BA0.C2FC8070 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.aclu.org/images/Template//acluaffiliates.gif R0lGODlhswFpAPcAANfW1Wl4l/bd1uTGvPT09ay1xe6IAJq23KiFeoiWrZamuf79+t27sujKwllH Q+Ll6uvt8q/G5P/s5cSajnqIo9rd46WjoMPBwEc6Nvvk3Vx/m8XK1WZSTLnAzXNcVd7n9IZrYryU iMrU3+zQyMylmbm3tenr7hEREVRojNKroJV2bd3g5ntiW0pjiJt7cf/z7YeEgvOrSi0nJE9BPGll YTUtKtSwpfHWzsihlbSOg8+pnv/69ENbg8vZ7e/x9G1XUDJOeaOrvfb2+NbZ4HGAnDhagHx6duHA tpuYlpGOi45xaObo7HNvbB4bGti3rODi6EA1MV9NR+S0pffIi//27/j5+9q4riIeHeHg3zsxLqB/ dVdVVdazqPTHudPDvltuj0dGRr69vK6JfichIM7Myw4ODoN0b6+tq8nHxqGfntLW3radluzj4MCr peXe3MKkm6eSjBYUFJaTkmBykva/dRsYGPrfu4BmXk50k/GgM/CYIvznzPnXqiJViHej3f///wAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACwAAAAAswFpAAAI/gD/CBxI sKDBgwgTKlzIsKHDhxAjSpxIsaLFixgzatzIsaPHjyBDihxJsqTJkyhTqlzJsqXLlzBjypxJs6bN mzhz6uw4ZMWQCmoeVPg59IEaERVWHPXZ06eanj+fPlhBIcCXIEYrAO2pdcUKrWqGfh0C9WdPNV4L +lnLtq3bt3Djyp1Lt67du3jz6t0bd6ffvwWHkg2L9ilYrVqHIB36NCxXNY4DBJijYElisiuefH3q NexXxGYRD1XLt7Tp06hTq04NuLXfIZATK00aNils2ok9AxUBW8SKDQGIzEnw5InZJ2KHan3i2OxP 38hhryC9urr169izv3XNHSdo44x9/gr+qpRs8s2Ge26Yw54CedzMvS5Hnhg02agVqGvfz7+//+3d BTgTYis8gFlXYt3m0xMPbJDZT58h95twAVAg1FZAyddbWVORp1lSSU1H0H8klmiiagKmCJNXD8Sn FW8+ebXZV0L9JJRTamjmQwcoEEFEABUYZVxnZm02BH3iSVjWEPqd6OSTULql4pQsGUeUbbZBCKKR yGmmGWdDLMHjHD5ehlhxPRUXnZHykddUk1HGKad/VNaJEoJnfsVcYhKi1RmfxVXwhAlBfCHZHL5Z 5tMDF461J3NDGPjlE0tACOecmGa6mp2ckqSGCVpqmNQTiwkqo2biZSYUpUFINhlS/oOiJaGEmRV3 Y4hpznrpXh/06muv2R0QwQdVGPRBDxHwdcCvzPagGrPM4tUDtL7W1em1IFEgAgQfokoWqku0KC6D nnWo6gMK9DjHFxtAUJ5RXNVq3IcFtnjbkWLumlcECB1g3bANVSGCXgck9AGKCeH1QcJ0YeswRxWq 4e4SmjHaYaBHatUiWhTbyuADCXwxRwAodGACiKMuQXFQHtar1JAPEACcvgoj5Kxqy0ZURbJ3FYzQ wawxbNfCCFn78NEXUUAEBRtM1eUDJqxAMaMyPmAZchSHSXGQFLBnVQcEBCmoxVK32GaXqGrlgwiS 0WyXzwdVoRq/FN1cF9zGIlz0/l1EH2Q00oBLVKGPGxAgqYyCFreCCSpbPNWRqkptFQVdK2DChRdn tgSNgzI4qqAmAEem23XRjRDPpvVwkQ9vG6y333wLLVfgtEOkQHBkinBykBaPumqINNbb+BNV+fiF 5ZSKu/msFWx+slcVC7Ee5QGQThcECtnNl+oYAT0X3gV5f5pCNe89V+3oM7QCEV8oHYAIPlDNqMoM fiz15io3Lt/IPgaggA+Uygz06DeVqw1vBQQQgciqQgHryQV8BpFbaUyHEe3BBYIDEZ9pyBc7880u fSA8iAk6MAf3AYlbmglXgejXOKtRjIA+GZnXEqAy3jEqeVPDX/KesCPJUA4F/iJwYFwoeDplFWsj /nqg64LmQbr0zSB/C6EU/1ABIdzORyWUWP4YdbmyFahzAYTAA3wAHAr1aHlSY9C5pCa1yz0BAgRY HwUSUBUFCEGIcMHeQjTYwY1A4HtLRA0Hhya7vkxxijxcgWSWFrH4BWlzLsyfCSg1SQhsDgIbMNTI DAWBqKVxUIlzoQuH4AM1UI5yJbQaHt2CQdjlpZUEgUAEDkBLgC0EdW+BJR/5Msi6PJF0CblAEoaZ BCQAoHbCXMkZzkASq+2ITEpbmhriaDUGLW8JlmSc8iCwIxSUUDhEKNsLpwK1NNLPBDLz0SlLFr9V toV7DMGlXeAZN3mu5QB6/vyZEvXJRFf6spBwSUgJaFCCgiaBBscM3ECVycyICOGhDyGAJX1wRfdR oAKWDNfWGmeCy93QakIolGS+YCiJWU2MQoGaC01gSQioITg/8lEQDPcEd7LFBw7Z5VyOGLckxoUA CvEpKwM5PoDK5ZcjahhCFjoQIyCBdkx1mA80+oQEVMiiQxDCEi7ng/hZDWoaDVfMCoVF9nRAjBBI q1i3mlZKCUEEP7pqhR6QUZv6AZb+vJtC7DnUhPD1rkTdoFHjgtSBRLEgUf3DMAVCgBIUM6F/aOww LyAQE1ggCRYwQWVLQAYkJOECBDhDMbEwEMtiVrMFAcBlkUBZg6j2tH8w/oFok1ACoP7hAhdwLBKw QIDLWuAMNEjIazMbWccm4QyoBQBnh0mGP3DWtyVo7W1LcNvWPpe2tnVuMclA3Ylgk1Fr89HSukaE KsZvquKKmhhZ2lGKxtV4HfDBei0J1vktQWA+5B8RCsdD1Bp2exD5K1yISBDW/ZOfuQxsaXrpxMG2 RaDBFQgACCoQGBihBEhAqECSwIQzWIAJHWUCDEoAAxD/YcIdzjATaGsEE5tgxSRmQnYrTFsLUJgg E2YxM89w4TMw4amKpQFtk0AADnuYBhF2rZBLYARmkqHDTGaCQAZ64SSQFsm//S0NgEoAGlhAsUkQ CJaB++U/kNnHSY6I/jM7WgWrijcALSgvAbrK1jGylUEs9YFVqxKcAHRAq1ZjXDZVBgEhDIF/p/Sf fBm3BLvytCF/vAs9C2LBISZEgglGcFGbOJfCCuSwBBkokpEMA4GQQcN/gMFTT51QoPqYyx0+MQ1a awQjVJbCr47sjQeSXRiEmSC+ZiyvBQLcDdv61t3NMEKCHdlh/4HVzqWBf//g5dLO+rY0IO1iqV1m GwvEqVNOM0TYm1ZLLtJ9PULgVlVmgqmWO63tVkACEiBvpRWgCvKl6xKmum8TCOGliP4RBbgJNW7a lMAMEWqn/XqXoF5Qwbx08Fs8/QdQD2SgAMj4BWI90II6VsqJBfNA/hY74YRum9rUTcKFCwpugjSW 5b8eyK4HklvHRvjkJQ/3holJ2ZlLuKA2PmbIZw6DUiPh2Nu+MVNvPGGKdDStVltAJoPDZxQAqQot bauBOrOBDYhgAx0Ie9c3gM03spQAhDa0VcgUV0RJlKVbtemkC1xEQvZLO7p8HRT7uPfzLTXNPo42 MRcb8pOTHNUnpzCHB9/Qpq548QXxuY2HaYSbxzzn0Z6yx4/p8wvQwNcw0PDQuysQz7+4u0nv7tK7 2/SJdJLflqyCAr7Qv+D0qIrsVQrYCxAEBZySvD6kdwc2MAT2TrUKVFnk4AIw09d3stFJ1cujYxnE g0S6LtMniMKr/pP3fvb9wHkN6N8JUmzTF+TU07bAsf9ghC9jPvHUVb9wadBckQO7zDJvKFNPjoVr /8HbBwED+LdhpSZrQiduM9dlB4Vaqadz7AdkIfcQaSVf3LQEc0YBtDcZMFVe7iICBVAAVmUVJCVX I0N1h5IAQbABlFJKroI7JJMAPiAEE9VVOBV9eIFwAjFLCbF94sdp3Adxe8FgC+eDUvJ3GQcAG/dl BCBiZEAGMEBZBGAEMEAGwkQAE2YBqqVh7xdzFDZhxnQBRkBa1oaFnhdz4VYCAMBa7AcDAEAGlbdz BFFrVMgE4nZxBJWGlPVhZAAAB3WAkUd6ApFhQGZ/ShdhZ0aH/hTRVU+3VTE4BIbSguyjAGB3O17T NTyAAjxAAQowBygwgpt4iZuUABtgAhRgdX0mGSgwBPjWbu4Gff+VFxTnLzVoEJXWg+H3g5omWEQI FxR3WA/1UKKGZEyQBoUmBHyIZHIAAA8FAHKAZMQoBGhQeUaABg91amTwUMP0iwT1UNFIA8NYjL8Y BnSocknwi7/IZDQwjcYojQeFjeX4iwAgjc1ojvSIjuoIAQfFBM14jQNFj9tojmhAA2Hwi9koBP/Y j8CYBHIQgQ7RbtzkkNy0AOnSPpNBBAWwAa3CiTzAA0Tgey2AAkVABEEwMijQI+nCAx+ZAHGlAENA QlbnIygQ/gT45gMEMGfy5YqfphcJEWlzJxAGplS7mBrdJ0gS5xa9CJSH1BIlIGUTcWoUYZOWZDjo 5AMm0D9fkAAdAIK0RwQf2YkFQAFFsJEWyR5fwAMo2AJhyQO+R5EU0AFLUIo+RAAyKFEUKF+rhIN/ wDOwxINFGJSoMZSbdouEVZR+kJQtYYXtBxGNVZMllohUuW80KF8LoAYiowAdoABE4E3zVgQt0AJf cJlAwANFcFFz8JFFEAQdgJJFUDLkpTRXsQQJ0AKIUgVzRlcSNWd3ZIN2dxA+NYuUZnGviB2AqYuC yYuEaZgskWMzxhAbJ4xiKBF5BkcEkGcSJXuiaFVlyZEF/gCSG9l1QICWc2ACARCWQFAAahCWo/kE JPWSGJgAJqAAQbAANMiKdOmbFZcXO/lOCIFpH+SXpzGcC0aYbHGUfoecgGGFCQVREdFVNnmbt/kH HlgVc7CRKNkBCbCRRaAAarCRX4ACxAMERQAEQVABnAkElRGWHxkEdBQAxCGd7SZRcESDeISXuARL ArYWQoiLB6FTOimga0Gg/WmgtIN1cmmTNCkEVTAEKkp7CVCaaImVJeoeLQCiLbACF8oDQJAAagAE XKoAK0ChTCMyP6IAMSMEeUaTXWVwunk9O+gW2ScQtfhgPqosQNij/jmgxymktTOBXSWDQkCTTxAE FNAC/pcInyhAqESgnlwaAGrwgRtgXiwVJgRwmX62AaEJBBuwpR1qdQoAATNJk3CUZ0IES9fHFj35 B/xpi993HQAacXf6o3mqp4Ejl9wUo0VqoVwpmiiwAQoQmrtKOfH1aKWkWdwiIn/wp+kCBASgAKpJ BCpZAAsgBA76pwQwfTfIcG5BowVanEJZp/g5p0BqSCiBBVb2EWRwXLJqEAvwB9EqrXNWBWrge5Y4 pQpQAFiKKA8gBAtQBVVArU7xMWBHkzXJZRsgBNzZlm5mXj7ArwKxBBsgRPlkEDz4pn/Ao4U5p3vR qkEIrrF6EpjHESZAA2qYrgQRBBeJUdX6BxAgqCza/gFEEJoBUAD+80aE1q80qAYd8BVi1y6/eHao 2qs80AEVQKgtYEeMtQK4OgcORKpxcar3Ka7c+pfeihc5Opj+qRIfuxFZS7J/wANf4JnBgYIW+gXf KYmEmqUqeBSwYjgVIJdqkIIFgJlBkIIVAHcVQJU49VJCkADfyQOMWgF0lJmGQgQO5LR/pa1Qu6rW obF2GrVtEa6qShC45ViZ1Vm0xWu6BVnXVVvGVX8ThmGXW1m+lVzLlQT1J7qwZVleJl0FYQCu+7qw G7uyO7u0W7u2e7u4SxG0R5YBwJGCSqgbWa9AwHwP8HVHMRTu0gGwIW/OSig+gpWP2lEeFS6TGpof /imSBdACriJeDmSf2icXFMujVYszU9twHHu1CHFQtMUE7HtkDWVhGIZqY+aNVUZ/stZhNkZdL0Zb JQZUVOZYz/liI1ZiJoAFoQcDjde6uLvADNzADjy7FFGC7LEuKko5ohmWKloAHfAEXacGmZojX8ln oghUCxCoVteWK+BIlSICRhG8gkoELvtmk2E9eEUtvkKxT/sWOMyX3ZqLAfqqfgC5AHIQKld6/vdh z4ZqqiZm3SZt3/ZUnxuItpZrXUZdAzVtxCZjkRVrW0sQD/zFYBzGr1sRbVealFEhvYeSmfiBHmyy l6nBm2goc1QBCyCd/ToEsYkCGhokk4SzBPC2/ksQBN60pOrEHtbjtBXxV7GId+VrF+M7cR1bENuG eQvVcQbFlIU4cmFGycGlch4HbgxpeJuMagchxqZ8yrZrEd5EUpw4b4Qak3yrx2ILdlk5b03aPh1w FFYzZ6FaaGyTiUGAGWKHUxtAtAmQvXHVidbjvRhRqo+LrcApEDzIuHmxw3eBw9E8yahWyUI2eGKm ekl2eAm1UItHTMwUyjEnzgmBu3RgB+4su3owBRIgEBIwBbPbzu8Mu+5sBzEgu1PgzvbcwBcRBFzZ iS1AR5iIll1DASo6t7wHgj9SQiY7dosjgzTJUkKxBAXQoZJYAWDndYTynSW0iZNxlUyyppnm/hE8 6LRxmq2XFhfUXD4HcaNsgVfZ/GucjG1YjHIOKHIT1lpILH+IVYf/t36J2cUDwc5JDbsxQAUGQQX9 DLt0sNRjTM+yawcCYQcCjRHIt53HUxWruZHBgZog2HtW1Yko+IHD5xU0+HZd1DyAG2di93VnpQD1 OkelmQD5sa4o7RaIbBF8hZc/OYQ7CtONXBdOa7FsUX2FjZSSjNPbHFxLOIVO2FqZDIcTZgRz6H4i i4RhmHlKhoVBZ4DrfLtTLRBMrRB5INVU7boEEdCvi9V/oNULnBGFJhBVABz+QwQb2QKUc8xfGbiS IbYQwi3lBqr5JhaD4tUajLMXGVsYyHxM/tKupIPDF+HM97RXdIFXfxXTd4GXf8DDbIHDLc0WCaHN 4xxh5Ipku/XNPX14HyZktuWG3mgB/kvUzyaNnkvKBqHUqP268ywQdOC6p/0He8Da/13VAxHVrivb tH27GoGbd6RAaD2egztHgbuVohh2HYAUr4emacU7SPFFhpaZbbkBGlwBCtCZLZAffmqtcwHeGDGx lybezDwQfOndrZMQBMCm0BykgOPff/C6eTAQA/66Bb7aBN7aBlAQEqDPWZ27GoGkNVkFgoyJl6i9 i/RmZIKCKroug2OR/QpHHBx2Gjx8mZoUkXiRXceswlEAx4qmbvPXF1GLiLwzFxSxeWPY/j5cGhQX WdOs5wUx2ECONEKO5AOh5K5b5AKO6Anu2gUB2w4O4Rsx5g+lkqZZBBWyLmRCJpOhiSpJloe6kYgi rVqFkWFry/UaFiQjkmjeAYWSAPs6Z8tJF9aNEYSe3QshS7QkLH+eg/t0EGsjAsRe7MZ+7Mfu0ns0 S7VE5wMTzdhy6Ev+6JD+B0duAAUeuwcR1ZNeux0hsA/FZ5yp5SKzLp2IaNBUilgOkglAm13VAQw0 b+AktgrAmW2pvBtQFe2ObwoanG8h2NXcppDMEdjdFnhVEW9x4xWRqoV+NNKO7Uze5I0+7UMOuwMh 23/w5AbQ7RDcEQvA1z7Aib3bma5y/qjrycr61aGEGtYBIK1U+ZXOatdN6rXzVgATShnDx7e+vQC0 XutHlRDl/RYsfUG3HhHiffAUkdIaQdPmXTsPn+3aPvEQT+1GPgVGvvFR3vEdYRSwngAlSaGeWZKH Kvad6E1XZddzW5ae+QQS9QTwWfMe7fVFi4LMigJzpKI8MDICwfMwnrgFId7//tIDthFBj/QTARd0 /hCKLae08/QRf/UUH/XWbgAB/gd5wPGSzxHsM4LZ2Zmj3plq/JGluTQWmcv31QEfyS74VlVK8YEO K7TsM28kxJFzpAAi4LIpGCm56e9tAfDS9+P62T165RFWe93f2vimTdVQb/FSv/zV/j7gMTAQe4D5 ma8RAiccWM6ZJMPiG3monKi9lBMEn0JfsdkCfzZJx/wHRsFSSFrMEs2sI22Zdi0yJEW4fR3EQL8X Q9+0xj/8HQEQfgQOHPjhz0GECRUuPAiB4EOIAhkyxJIEy0SMCUskYXgBSZIzJhKeOcMwyYWEJzMm NNDS5cuWdBC6lHkQpgGEdGjOfJmz5ZSFdm72XFlUIZEASAPwaMGDB4ovKKSiKMK0xdUvcwJ8IUKh wIoVD4I4LfCHwJIECUxUWdHB7YYOCVpQSAC3w4YNCp4WINK3r8KIfg5kPBDYsJ8IGKscTmyUYY/D BAc7pvzncI/KCj9EjoiRJEIA/jQAZE5ohAYZhRZoWChhevTBJBwX0iiRkLbjoTBr/tl5UM9LPT5j 8nQpXA8VhUJztySdsW+AOXOstkARgDqKp0yZzkE6lcKGswT0tihQxYePAgpEmDfxJG6CINgDbFDT 4YF7pAooUNBKBHDExhjygbPAMorgsAMMqqyKAwkUrLmiIjvAh8wYdPAhjGIDTTQIyaBhtYSwuM0s JmBASMPZakNoxKKWc4mPgyRwKQbhhjsoht54I+oPnVqiMSHlXISQIa2SWuoqpgJIaiqruFNggyFE qIAA8x7wIYgWuqrABLEUeIAAEyCAwIQoIVAjrQpEUCAuBQoIIoj9uPMvocAg/sAIsgsJUpChzSKL YM+MfBAhzweHxIjACCgsSlBCCZoIACOMKEGk0Er4CCXQPiqBgIksYOIMGjg9qIRQEcLitT9QVIjF P1jN6CY9ejRgtyleQu4PKvJoKY9bZcwRphoNgBGhIIU0FCHovlDWKaeuUjIACqJStqsgOhiiAggI 8MGEMKPVKgE11FAAXG0feGCJJbhtD68NEqCgWjjdhVar/yD64F588y2sUcTy9bdPzg74s4qFPuih QUIT/Hdhhhu+8AARPiA4oSoM3pdfiTpiggmL/giNCUtpwNRD1jhmiIDVRMT0D1IzlG1VFQ9yFaOb 9sDVDpsR+i3HP+ywIyEc/n/dUdaWdiDWxR0NdcstCqri4QtoA6iOCOq+aGGOBBRYk750H+Byjqig o0C/74TwAV1unxjiiQrw6iAIBYLYIAh3o4Nujnox1ntvvvv2++8LXd4QUyNkg0E2Dy9S6ILT/igc oZYnUtW2mFuNOQkaaH5p2IWI/mmiWl/aDdiDPP+xZ6STPvaPDopooQjuKFCSCLClimq/dzcQQYQV nqgiiCKiqgqFAiooQA0fINjWBHTVqEANduNec9x3C7A+iLwB13577rvnXvCDQnsNRRqSKOH8mZMw YlQaRGI5c8lfpnz+g86QX6Gb6Lj1ID50HSqGnB1kD0ETHXGYU7qbDKtY/qk7FgGEwKkCAIE6SaGA UqJytax8q1p3EcEThECEZgVBDb77A5kcCAF09e4J4WJXWhLQgQIkoCyH8l4NbXhDHBYofhsan2xo ULjYqCQhJqABDM6nGhVFziT3k1nlZjaR3OQhBgR0kR6muLPUZVGLQzHUA4XAOu3MoYJamYPtoCIV JcmwAHiZ0gYqCB8R+GBuGzDBCVG4ggoMgV1rLABd3LSmBfhACA/MXg4NeUhEYgx8HuNQqmRjBAtk hFRBTAIT1vcHD6HmIDC4pCMZcrgNabJFWyRlKU1prOacsAoVYAoKuvLKqKCgKU2BipKqhRcpPUAB yUIB7l64ljGlEHpu/gnCH9MStw1UAQIPFBVCEvlMaEbTMBhBghEAwCnxwUY2pCoBAEoAg2YexAgm ghwNFAcDJlwAAEhgURJgAAB4wvMgJAPABcY5EiYa8JT75KcWIXRCClGAB0lBygWn0wJpJUWGd6FP AZJSgBWOUG1rLFcKRbCBAryNbvvJmnqU+UBFOVOaIyUpIjGCBdcwsoeQY8IPK8fIkiCEiDElgKeK uLJUfUin8MMkDGjABAuEE3Oa62dRjcrF5kCgCub5QwQRCh0kHTQqYOvKmjoggjNRoAPKOwgBwAQX Oi6hdyvQIwzf5C6OEkEEZiGAUgtZUrjG9W+ro2td7XpXvNbVB1Uw/hvrgDAd7Bz0KlLpj1Wh10f4 SK9N6QlCBRz7gDzaxZhdOSaVqFSFcFpGrpvl7N7y+lnQhla0oyVtaU17WtSmVrWrZW1rXfta2MZW trOlbW1te1vc5la3u+Vtb337W+AGV7jDJW5xjXtc5CZXuRDqQ3Od+1zoRle606Vuda17XexmV7vb 5W53vftd8Hp3ueMVbXjNe170ple962Vve7dLXvjm1b3zpW997Xtf/F43vvuta379+18AB1jA0uVv gQ01YAQnWMEL/q6BHUwaBkdYwhNe8IMt7BgKZ1jDG57vhT2cEQ6HWMQjfu+HTawQEqdYxSs+cYsP ct0i/EEI0D1I/guaW4QvaqC5C9GxAoaIh+Zq4A8icK4GOnCQ1j33yAl47lqZ3Ie16hi6RVCLWZ4s ZCIL2QTNbYGMd/yHIA+ZuliO7ov7IGSECOHJfeBxH3wsUyCzWSFElnOYE0JnPLhPCAqIro/5DOU/ SFnGNq7zmcXc3AR8cchFCPMKwkzn6rq4xddNwEHWLOcONPfNgh7y7kQAZB+bYK1eNjSdKXAQRWfa uV+ENKCFYOMoR3fUirYxmfvwRSBXWtVmtrV0e+1cXstYBIqO80E8/Wk3l3DWzd2dSERdgC+HWQie hvatDyISVT/Xz8wO9JfpHGw6o9l94T4In389XUmf+Lqj3sBz/hHyOkVzus9/4POpu23rI/P5zc6t dI2dO2oix/q5XRaC61ZA71I3d8mAJkK0Ez7dcxeazDj+w5PNrG2E21vKyf6zw8+NZiDHGbrbBjSn /0ABiR+6LNDuMpgNPeiIlzndH7YuwUXC6C/T+83dlrPWFCBlH3fAyAcBsq0FDt0N/OHgax51xY/+ 6Oja2j8riPEfcA7uMR/a3S7X8pNKeHWd/1zTrBv6H0ROco+X0OeE/mJcCD1yhJc85wXHutz7IJKi I0QEMafxzD1s3Upbr+LAFskgS8hzhfx550iGut2fG+NXl/Dff0g6AQ6+8cY/t9df9HG7095q6EY8 2AnxvJwR/qJ4hWSb41u3M0Kk3O9yz/vPAj/IwZPO9UMLPNZa/mLSQU9gv1/YuiJJi9KBLYIjs472 YQf6kJM+48Y/HdFD1gDeua2BpmP+4ZrX+pG/uOa6+1rrwMa9CdZk6S/7vPkXJbVz0Z5y82vt7VRO Ps7dH/fl4yEh0ef5wfMuAtj7PZkLvgerLv1TCEIbspZrgeWTPYq7skNLOj5LgN1proNLCFWLspbj OefSv4IrAt1hsl6bE6sjv8yLuvH7vD4oApH4s4u7PwV4QIzruJT7vau4PrirNpGQt51rvJVbQawD OP0iwAKkrrJQE/Voqh0jMjwAsuU7NlBDuFBrvH67QCIj/jifI7VY27ToKjz30bFf6z3WM7Rp251q KzJhM8O0mzb3sbhO250o1DfJg8ExFLIyFAFow4MvWoHbezs724CD2zKHu8DGm5MVYDWoawFEtC4i LMLpwrXm0j9BHL/lS4geQzgZ7DUKNDZGK4tsOziUE7jLiy7y+CICgMBWWzgTfDm9C705S7uEOMM2 2zYZHDsaHL1WZECEOEXpSrRrE7nRy7ydEwGcszUfE8C+a8QC2zA88MP00r4VW68i0ACRg7hq5K5p dEbxUsZljEZv/EYJ48ZuBEdyLEcAE0f+Mkd1XMf6Qsf9Ykd4jEf0csf4kkd7vMcSo8fxwkd+7Efg 08flIvJHgfRHgNzHgTxIeyxIhVxIhmxIh3xIiIxIiZxIihTHgAAAOw== ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C55BA0.C2FC8070 Content-Type: image/jpeg Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.aclu.org/images/client/ACFAEA0.jpg /9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQEBLAEsAAD/2wBDAAgGBgcGBQgHBwcJCQgKDBQNDAsLDBkSEw8UHRofHh0a HBwgJC4nICIsIxwcKDcpLDAxNDQ0Hyc5PTgyPC4zNDL/2wBDAQkJCQwLDBgNDRgyIRwhMjIyMjIy MjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjIyMjL/wAARCAAMALYDASIA AhEBAxEB/8QAHwAAAQUBAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgcICQoL/8QAtRAAAgEDAwIEAwUFBAQA AAF9AQIDAAQRBRIhMUEGE1FhByJxFDKBkaEII0KxwRVS0fAkM2JyggkKFhcYGRolJicoKSo0NTY3 ODk6Q0RFRkdISUpTVFVWV1hZWmNkZWZnaGlqc3R1dnd4eXqDhIWGh4iJipKTlJWWl5iZmqKjpKWm p6ipqrKztLW2t7i5usLDxMXGx8jJytLT1NXW19jZ2uHi4+Tl5ufo6erx8vP09fb3+Pn6/8QAHwEA AwEBAQEBAQEBAQAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgcICQoL/8QAtREAAgECBAQDBAcFBAQAAQJ3AAECAxEEBSEx BhJBUQdhcRMiMoEIFEKRobHBCSMzUvAVYnLRChYkNOEl8RcYGRomJygpKjU2Nzg5OkNERUZHSElK U1RVVldYWVpjZGVmZ2hpanN0dXZ3eHl6goOEhYaHiImKkpOUlZaXmJmaoqOkpaanqKmqsrO0tba3 uLm6wsPExcbHyMnK0tPU1dbX2Nna4uPk5ebn6Onq8vP09fb3+Pn6/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwD3W5vf s0gT7Ncy5Gd0Ue4fSof7V/6cL7/vz/8AXrQooAz/AO1f+nC+/wC/P/16P7V/6cL7/vz/APXrQooA z/7V/wCnC+/78/8A16P7V/6cL7/vz/8AXrQooAz/AO1f+nC+/wC/P/16P7V/6cL7/vz/APXrQooA z/7V/wCnC+/78/8A16P7V/6cL7/vz/8AXrQooAz/AO1f+nC+/wC/P/16P7V/6cL7/vz/APXrQooA z/7V/wCnC+/78/8A16P7V/6cL7/vz/8AXrQooAz/AO1f+nC+/wC/P/16P7V/6cL7/vz/APXrQooA z/7V/wCnC+/78/8A16P7V/6cL7/vz/8AXrQooAz/AO1f+nC+/wC/P/16P7V/6cL7/vz/APXrQooA z/7V/wCnC+/78/8A16P7V/6cL7/vz/8AXrQooAbG/mRq+1l3AHawwR7GinUUAf/Z ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C55BA0.C2FC8070--