Burning U.S. flag should be federal crime

A recent New York Daily News article reported about Occupy Oakland protesters who burned an American flag. I always thought this was illegal without a proper ceremony. To my astonishment, it is not.

The Supreme Court upholds that burning the flag in protest is freedom of speech. Now freedom of speech is something I believe in deeply. I, however, feel that burning the U.S. flag is like burning the White House, or telling the men and women of our military services that their service means nothing. You may as well just tell them to stop fighting for our freedom.

Being a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I feel this is a huge slap in the face. This should be a federal offense, as is burning or melting our currency. I will write our congressmen and fight for this.

Anthony Ginther

Cedar Rapids