Well James, since you mentioned me in your post, I guess I'll offer my opinion. First of all, I would never protest AMerica in that particular way. I think it's a little overly-broad, and insensitive. Whether I would have felt that way 15 years ago, I'm no tsure. I remember once saying that the onl ycircumstances under which I could imagine burining an American flag would be if the Supreme Court ever upheld a law outlawing flag burning. My thinking at the time was that any such law basically shreds the Constitution, which I respect far more than the flag. Fortunately, the only justice who ever voted to uphold such a law was Rhenquist, and 8 others ruled against him. So I've never felt compelled to make such a sweeping gesture against America as a whole. I coninue to be proud of our nation, and the way in which it works, even if I don't support every action or every law. Similarly, I have always shown respect during the palying of the National Anthem -- usually more than the typical "patriotic American" at a sporting event shows.

However, many see the National ANthem as a particularly militaristic song that glorifies war. When Sinead O'Connor asked that it not be played before one of her concerts, I thought she had a point. She wasn't American. She did nothing disrespectful. She simply asked that an song that represents American military action not be associated with her at a time when America was waging a war she didn't believe in. I very mmuch respect her for that. Ironically, I've been to shows at the Garden State Arts Center, and please believe me when i say that the disrespect that most Americans show when that song is played is far worse than simply requesting it not be played at all.

As for this athlete -- she has come up with a way to protest, and she may think better of it at a later part in her life. I don't agree with telling someone "If you don't salute our flag as we see fit, you can't participate in a sproting event." That's too reminiscent of Hitler youth. Fortunately, she is able to do what she thinks is right. That's what makes America great.

I guess the bottom line for me is I always wonder where to draw the line. I wouldn't burn a flag, but I would think nothing of singing the NWA protest song "F*** The Police." I love that song, but I have friends who are cops that feel the same way about that as some vets feel about seeing a flag burn. Many many people thought all anti-Vietnam protesters were unAmerican. What's over the line for you, might be legit protest for someone else.