"Party before principles " is the same as "flag before meaning of flag"

[Bonobo]

I just realized that they are really the same underlying thing.

Mistaking the symbol for what it represents such as holding the symbol of America (the flag) over the deeper meaning that is supposed to represent (freedom, for example) is the same erroneous thinking that allows people to place the symbol of the Democratic party over the deeper principles that the party is supposed to represent.

[mike_c]

1. good point....

Personally, I think flags are made to be spit on, dragged in the mud, torn, pissed on, and yes, burned. That's why symbols exist-- as proxies for the things they stand for. Burning a flag is like punching your pillow rather than your neighbor. It blows off steam while protecting the things that really matter from damage.

[jody]

2. What is the difference between a person who wants to burn a flag because of what she/he believes it

represents and a person who wants to deny someone else the right to display a flag because of what they believe it represents?

What if those two people are the same person?