The U.S. Constitution conveys formidable responsibilities to safeguard the sacred trust imparted by the founding fathers. Among those is applying common sense and human decency when deciphering those rights.

Elements exist in our culture that must rise above liberal interpretations and judgments. Foremost is the honor and respect the public owes those who make the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country.

Siding with religious fanaticism under the guise of constitutional immunity, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively issued a proclamation dishonoring the memory of every soldier who served during the past 200 years. That ruling has nothing to do with constitutional rights; rather, it denigrates humane considerations that, on certain sacrosanct issues, the Constitution is not all-encompassing.

I applaud dissenting Justice Samuel Alito for discerning liabilities and limits in the exercise of free speech.

Chief Justice John Roberts, and like-minded colleagues, should stand before grieving parents, look them squarely in the eye and explain why they empowered religious extremists to desecrate the memories of their loved ones. Furthermore, each justice should kneel and beg forgiveness of the American people for the incomprehensible injustice.

Perhaps, they might call to mind the words of George Washington: “The willingness with which young people are likely to serve in any war, justified or not, is directly proportional to how their nation appreciated and treated veterans of earlier wars.”

Regardless, this ruling ensures that this country is not worth dying for anymore.

Roger R. Turcotte, Lewiston