Whew! It was a close call. Even liberal California’s senator was enraptured by Orin Hatch and god-awful desecration. But, really folks, this country of the “tired and tempest-tossed” must have a protest safety valve better than blowing up federal buildings, communal suicide or skulking roadside snipers. Flag burning may nick the conscience of yellow ribbon patriots, but our state does a good business replacing “old glories,” both wholesale and retail, and at reasonable prices.

Roland Lange, Lewiston