Walking into an ambush

As Americans prepare for another 4th of July weekend of flag-waving and freedom-loving, it's important to remember the words of Samuel Johnson- "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." In recent months, the corruption of the current Congress and the corruption by any other name of the White House has been exposed. So what have the Republicans fallen back on? That ol' reliable wedge issue they love- a constitutional amendment to ban flag-burning.

Republicans have used the flag-burning issue to taunt Democrats for decades now. The taunting reached its apex during the 1988 presidential campaign when rumors abounded that Kitty Dukakis had burned an American flag to protest the Vietnam War during the 1970s. Of course, it's hard to get those patriotic juices flowing when you see a prospective commander-in-chief looking like this. But Republicans have carefully and strategically used this issue to paint Democrats as disloyal Americans. Karl Rove's recent statements about the Dems' response to 9/11 were notable only because they were so blunt.

Unfortunately, Democrats (and their liberal allies) know the patriotism trap is out there and keep walking into it again (Amnesty International) and again (Durbin) and again (flag-burning). Of course, Americans should be able to burn the flag if they really want to. And of course, a responsible government whose military has a significant problem with mistreating detainees should appoint an independent entity to investigate the problem.

But the leadership of this government doesn't care about principles of free speech or accountability, it just cares about maintaining and enlarging its power.