The American flag is the cultural property of all the people, the whole kit 'n kaboodle melting pot, and not just flag waving right wingers or shallow-minded fanatics. What true American can't but love the flag? It's a symbol of everything we hold dear to our hearts. It tells the struggle for independence, the preservation of the union and of the continuing sacrifices of brave men and women willing to give up their lives to help secure our way of life and the freedoms that many of us take forgranted. But does it make anyone a less patriotic person if he or she is not seen waving this piece of red, white and blue cloth...or even mindlessly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to it like hypocritical politicians seem to want us to do? I think not.