Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 03/01/2004

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
The elitists will be horrified to learn that it is that time of this Congress again: The Senate will be voting on the flag-protection constitutional amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Stand by for their usual tirade on how the measure, which last year passed overwhelmingly in the House for a fifth time, will limit “speech,” change the Bill of Rights and waste valuable time better spent on increasing government programs.

If the flag amendment were simply about burning a piece of cloth, I would agree with them (on wasting time). The issue is, of course, not flag burners; the issue is an out-of-control judiciary unconstitutionally amending the Constitution. The bigger issue is the de-moralizing of America by the courts. Legalized flag burning is just one domino in the devaluing of America, an ongoing debacle fueled by pagan organizations such as the ACLU and facilitated by atheistic, secular, humanistic proselyters on the courts.

Some of our Founders greatly feared the judiciary and it was accepted on the premise that it would be the weakest of the three branches with a primary function of protecting the will of the people. It is now the strongest branch of government -- routinely overruling voter referendums, the other branches and redefining the values of America. Consider some dominoes. The courts have: proscribed prayer and the Decalogue; protected pornography (to include virtual child pornography); redefined marriage; attacked the Boy Scouts; sheltered partial-birth abortion; denounced the Pledge as unconstitutional. And, of course, praised flag burning as free “speech.” Whatever one may think of these issues, no rational person could think they are based on the Constitution -- that is, the Constitution of our Founders.

If we agree with former Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes that, “The Constitution is what the judges say it is”; or other jurists who claim the courts speak before all others, and it is therefore better to endure unconstitutional decisions than to undermine the legitimacy of the courts, then we have no Constitution. It is like an athletic contest in which one side is allowed to make up the rules as the game progresses. There are no rules and there is no doubt whose bias, prejudices, bigotry and feelings will win out.

What can we do? I think the voters of California sent a great message to government: Listen to us, heed our will, or else! We must never forget that the courts are part of government and not beyond our reach. We need to make an example of some out-of-control judges and impeach them, and get rid of others. And the executive and judiciary branches need to grow some hair and use their constitutional powers to fence issues and deny resources for unconstitutional court actions. Civil disobedience and demonstrations may also be appropriate. And pass the flag amendment.

The flag amendment is a vital domino in reversing the devaluing of America. And that is why it is so important. There is no other congressional action that rebukes the excesses of the courts with a chance of success. The flag amendment can begin a slippery slope toward the restoration of our Constitution. It is up to the people, as always. There is no senator who would risk election by voting in favor of the flag amendment. The people should make their senators believe that.

Much more than the flag depends on it. We can help rescue our Constitution as we rescue our flag.

Maj. General Patrick Brady, U.S. Army, Retired
Board Chairman, Citizens Flag Alliance Indianapolis

Dear Gen Brady
During the recent Presidential Candidate debates, the media elitists did not ask one question regarding the proposed flag amendment. They seem to believe that it is offensive to fly the Confederate flag, however, it is acceptable to burn our sacred American symbol.

In Justice Stevens' dissenting view in Texas v. Johnson (491 U.S. 397, 1989), he writes: ". . . sanctioning the public desecration of the flag will tarnish its value -- both for those who cherish the ideas for which it waves and for those who desire to don the roles of martyrdom by burning it. That tarnish is not justified by the trivial burden on free expression occasioned by requiring that an available, alternative mode of expression -- including uttering the words critical of the flag (see Street v. New York) -- be employed."

In my mind's eye I can still visualize our sacred symbol covering coffins of fellow Vietnam veterans and being ceremoniously handed to their grieving loved ones as the bugle echoes "Taps". In James Clavell's work of fiction, "The Children's Story," the author describes the United States being taken over by a foreign power. In one vivid scene, Clavell describes the brainwashing of the children by their new state-appointed teacher. He portrays the teacher mentally manipulating the little ones, persuading them to cut up the American flag. "So the flag was cut up by the children and they were very proud that they each had a piece. But now the flagpole was bare and strange. And useless."

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge is looking forward to joining The American Legion during its annual Washington Conference on March 10. Highlighting this event will be the presentation of the National Commander's Public Relations Award to Donald P. Bellisario and the cast and crew of “JAG” for promoting the honorable nature of military service. “JAG” is a one-hour, dramatic series that follows the adventures of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) team as they investigate, defend and prosecute military-related cases from their home base near Washington, D.C.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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