TODAY is the Fourth of July, a day burdened with symbolism, the powerful human propensity to add significance to dates, objects and images. Freedom, like it or not
Religion and symbolism are intertwined. Cathedrals are layered with symbolic meaning, from statues of saints, to stained glass images and spires rising to the heavens. Symbolism is often imbued with religious fervor.
I once visited the Ford Museum in Michigan, where Thomas Edison's dying breath is on display in a test tube. Could that glass tube actually contain any trace of Edison's genius? Not likely, but it's rife with symbolism and sentimentality. We often confuse the two.
It's a slow period in Washington, so the debate over a national symbol, the flag, has been renewed. Many sincerely believe burning a flag dishonors our heritage and should be outlawed since Old Glory represents every noble sacrifice made in defense of our country and its principles.
Many of those principles are in the Bill of Rights and topping the list is the freedom of speech. Based on that, the courts say as long as you own the flag you're free to burn it to make a point -- just as Richard Nixon was free to wear one in his lapel. The flag's symbolic significance empowers both expressions and both are rightly protected by the Constitution.
Many died to protect our Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees, even the freedom to burn the flag.
John Flanagan is editor and publisher of the Star-Bulletin.
To reach him call 525-8612, fax to 523-8509, send
e-mail to publisher@starbulletin.com or write to
P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.