It is troubling.  I respect the flag and the national anthem.  They mean something to me.  The remind us those who have served and sometimes died for our nation. Even as a song, the words mean something to me.  Part of our American roots are the people who stood for their young country and braved a barrage from the British navy.  We weren't the strong country we are today, we were a bunch of colonial hicks.  England was the king of the seas.  Their country was the center of an empire, yet a small number of men endured the night. Since then men heard the call of their country and fought again and again. They have been maimed and died. This flag means a lot to them.

On the other hand.  The things that make our country great and worth fighting for aren't symbols.  They are realities.  The right of free speech is one of the greatest rights of all.  Despite the words we've all read, there really aren't any unalienable rights.  They can all be taken.