Sounds pretty emotional for someone who claims to not let emotion effect their writtings.
I think we all just need to tone down the insults and focus on the issues. It is difficult to do sometimes but the rest of the Blah Blah Blah is just anti-productive.

I understand it is an arbitrary concept.
A superficial one.

It's still an insult. And it doesn't matter whether you are insulting the group, or a particular individual.

It's still an insult.
For you to complain about being insulted while you insult a WHOLE GROUP of other people is just plain hypocritical.

The flag burning issue is just another distraction away from the failure to address the real problems. Why would our administration bring this up now? Do we have an out of control mob of evil flag burners all of a sudden? Really, tell me the last time there was a report, in the media, of flag burning.

It doesn't matter if the media doesn't report on it. And it doesn't matter also if very few people do it. And the fact is, is that there are people who do it. I know someone that burned one in protest against the recent chauvinism of the US. I can't say that was the smartest way of going about it; but its his right to freedom of expression and symbolic protest to do such a thing.

But you are right that there are much greater issues which need attention. I don't believe its a distraction, I just believe we have a Congress which genuinly believes that this is perhaps the most important thing they could be spending their time on. They really are a bunch of out of touch jackasses.

Have you check out what the house and congress work on lately?
Here is one day's extention of comments from our congess:

1 . RECOGNIZING JOSEPH WILLIAM WEST BERRIGAN FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
2 . HONORING JACK MICHAELS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA, NORTHWEST CHAPTER -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
3 . TRIBUTE TO DON ORGAN -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
4 . SILVER STAR MEDAL PRESENTED TO DONALD F. FULTON -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
5 . RECOGNIZING ALEXANDER LEWIS RICE -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
6 . A TIME OF HOPE FOR NAGORNO-KARABAGH -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
7 . INTRODUCTION OF THE GREAT LAKES WATER PROTECTION ACT -- HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
8 . TRIBUTE TO AIR FORCE COLONEL GARRETT HARENCAK -- HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
9 . RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF KEARNEY -- HON. SAM GRAVES (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
10 . INTRODUCTION OF THE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ACT OF 2006 -- HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR. (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
11 . REMEMBERING STAN TORGERSON -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
12 . CRUISE LINES OVERTIME ABUSES -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
13 . RECOGNIZING AUSTIN MICHAEL MARTENS FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
14 . TRIBUTE TO LISA NOWAK -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
15 . TRIBUTE TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM WASHINGTON, CLINTON, MARION AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
16 . FISH STOCKING IN THE NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK COMPLEX -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
17 . RECOGNIZING JOSHUA WEST -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
18 . A TRIBUTE TO SAME RACADIO FOR 18 YEARS AS CITY MANAGER OF HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
19 . TRIBUTE TO MIKE VADALA -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
20 . RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
21 . RECOGNIZING CHAD THOMAS STEPHENS FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
22 . TRIBUTE TO BRITTANY GILBERT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
23 . TRIBUTE TO THE MACOMB COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE MT. CLEMENS REGIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
24 . INTRODUCTION OF THE WE THE PEOPLE ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
25 . RECOGNIZING JACOB LEE WIER FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
26 . INTRODUCTION OF THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AUTHORITY RESTORATION ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
27 . HONORING THE RIDE FOR LORRAINE -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
28 . PERSONAL EXPLANATION -- HON. HENRY J. HYDE (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
29 . RECOGNIZING BRENT TRAUGOT SAVIGNE FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT -- HON. SAM GRAVES (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
30 . CONGRATULATING THE STAR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS -- HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
31 . PERSONAL EXPLANATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
32 . IN TRIBUTE TO JUNE PERRY, OUTGOING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW CONCEPT SELF DEVELOPMENT CENTER -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
33 . SALUTING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON TITANS IN COLLEGE WORLD SERIES -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
34 . THE U.S.-OMAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
35 . IN HONOR OF MICHAEL OWEN O'MALLEY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
36 . A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF GEORGE McKEAN -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
37 . INTRODUCTION OF THE RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
38 . TRIBUTE TO DOUG TANNER -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
39 . TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST KEVIN DOWNS -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
40 . IN RECOGNITION OF JERRY AND VIRGINIA GREENWOOD -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
41 . TRIBUTE TO MIKE VADALA -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
42 . CONGRATULATING CURTIS SILER ON HIS LIFE SAVING ACTION -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
43 . ARTICLE ON IMMIGRATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
44 . SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
45 . SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
46 . RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF COLONEL LARRY D. RUGGLEY -- HON. JOHN S. TANNER (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
47 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO COLONEL WILLIAM M. ``GOLDIE'' AND MARY GOLDFEIN -- HON. JON C. PORTER (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)

-Continued below-

48 . SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
49 . SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
50 . SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
51 . HONORING THE MEMORY OF MASSEY PALMER BEDSOLE, JR. -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
52 . HONORING HARRISON WADSWORTH ON THE COMPLETION OF HIS INTERNSHIP -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
53 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARK JAGET -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
54 . COMMENDING LIEUTENANT COLONEL SAMUEL I. PARKER, RECIPIENT OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR, ON HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO OUR NATION THROUGH HIS VALIANT HEROISM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
55 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO BRIAN CHRISTENSEN -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
56 . THE CASE OF VALERIU PASAT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
57 . ``POWER GRAB,'' BY ELIZABETH DREW -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
58 . TRIBUTE TO LIZ COVENTRY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
59 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO RUEDY EDGINGTON -- HON. JON C. PORTER (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
60 . PLAYING POLITICS WITH IRAQ -- HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
61 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOSHUA MARC DAVIDSON -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
62 . HONORING THE ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD 1165TH MILITARY POLICE COMPANY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
63 . FREEDOM FOR RAFAEL CORRALES ALONSO -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
64 . TRIBUTE TO COUNCILMAN DR. TURNER M. SPENCER -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
65 . COMMENDING OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY ON THEIR COLLEGE WORLD SERIES -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
66 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOM REILLY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
67 . HONORING LANE JOHNSON ON THE COMPLETION OF HER INTERNSHIP -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
68 . RECOGNITION OF CORPORAL RYAN J. BUCKLEY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
69 . IN MEMORY OF LOUIS JOSEPH -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
70 . LEGAL AID -- HON. DANNY K. DAVIS (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
71 . TRIBUTE TO ROBERT ALLEN MUIR, JR. -- HON. VITO FOSSELLA (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
72 . INTRODUCTION OF THE EDUCATION ASSESSMENT TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT (H.R. 5717) -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
73 . HONORING REVEREND HOWARD JOHNSON -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
74 . WELCOMING THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORPORATION TO SOUTHWEST ALABAMA -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
75 . TRIBUTE TO COLONEL BENJAMIN STEPHENSON -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
76 . PATRICK DURANTE -- HON. HENRY J. HYDE (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
77 . COMMENDING BRIGADIER GENERAL JOSEPH J. MCMENAMIN ON HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO OUR NATION UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
78 . HONORING THE WOMEN IN AMERICAN AVIATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
79 . TRIBUTE TO FREDERICK MURPHY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
80 . PERSONAL EXPLANATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
81 . RECOGNIZING SERGEANT JASON JAMES BUZZARD, UNITED STATES ARMY, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON JUNE 21, 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
82 . TRIBUTE TO RABBI STEVEN B. JACOBS -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
83 . DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LANGUAGE MINORITY CITIZENS? -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
84 . TRIBUTE TO CORPORAL BRANDON M. HARDY, U.S. MARINE CORPS, OF COCHRANVILLE, PA -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
85 . PAYING TRIBUTE TO AMANDA TRUMPETER -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
86 . TRIBUTE TO NEW CITIZENS -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
87 . KAZAKHSTAN'S CANDIDACY FOR OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
88 . INTRODUCTION OF BIRTHDAY RESOLUTION FOR WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
89 . PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4890, LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO ACT OF 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
90 . IN HONOR OF THE ASILOMAR CONFERENCE CENTER -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
91 . HONORING JO MERRILL ON HER RETIREMENT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
92 . COMMENDING ALFREDO GONZALEZ KAME -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
93 . CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
94 . CELEBRATION OF CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
95 . INTRODUCTION OF DIBRS LEGISLATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2006)
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It is apparent to me that some of this crap is distractions from the real issues. So is the flag burning issue. Tributes and honorings and spending time on issues like flag burning(which is not something that is really a big problem right now)are not what congress should be doing.