We do not consecrate the flag by punishing its desecration, for in doing so, we dilute the freedom this cherished emblem represents.
This quote resonates deeply with the principle that true respect for symbols of freedom, such as the flag, lies not in suppressing dissent or punishing acts perceived as disrespect, but in upholding the very liberties they symbolize. It challenges the conventional notion that protecting an emblem requires punitive measures against those who might disrespect it. Instead, it presents a compelling argument that the essence of what a flag represents—freedom—can be undermined...