I've never been much for the pageantry and fetishizing of symbols. Probably because I was raised by Christians who viewed such displays as bordering on golden calf kind of idolatry and actually close to blasphemy. Probably why I don't mind wearing the flag, even though that technically violates the "codes" established for such pageantry, etc. I happen to /like/ the flag, but I don't accord it the same magical properties others might.


If I was returning from such a conflict, I doubt it'd bother me, in truth. If I DID react emotionally and irrationally and someone ended up dead, I sure hope a jury would convict. To not do so would be to encourage lawlessness and vigilantism and general thuggery.