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Date sent: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 04:36:54 EST Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Why did our soldier boys die? Was it to fly our flag so high? To: [log in to unmask] > If flying our flag is worth dying for, > what is freedom of speech worth to you? A nickel? Submitted in > anger.............. I need to cool down. Reminds me of an incident when I was a member of the Berkeley Police Review Commission (civilian review board). I was one of a minority of "moderates" (as opposed to "radicals") who sat on that Commission (for almost 8 years). When Reagan invaded Grenada to rescue the American students there, the Berkeley "masses" rioted and trashed many of the Shattuck Avenue businesses. Part of their "demonstration" involved burning of the flag. A number of complaints against the police were submitted, and, at the next meeting of our Commission, these were discussed. Some years before, the Berkeley City Council (controlled by radicals) had decreed that they would no longer start each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. This extended to the Boards and Commissions as well. On the night that our Police Review Commission was to debate the alleged police malfeasance, I arrived at my place on the dais with a small American flag to place on my desk. I knew that the Press was going to be present at the meeting The (city-employed) "investigator" for the Commission (also a radical) looked at me, in front of the Press (who had the cameras running at the time!) and she acidly said, "Dr. Fink, don't tell me that you are going to try to force us to say the Pledge of Allegiance!" I calmly responded, "No, Eileen, I wouldn't think of doing that. For you see, one of the things that this flag stands for is the right to NOT say the Pledge if you don't want to...." Somehow, I think that this is, indeed, the "point". Best, Bob ********************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 WWW: http://www.rafink.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] "Ex Tristitia Virtus" *********************************************