For Flag Day in 2008, Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, then a congressional candidate for Pennsylvania's 11th district, signed the American Legion and Citizens Flag Alliance Pledge, designed to protect our most visible symbol against desecration.

The soon-to-be-elected U.S. congressman said that a constitutional amendment protecting the flag is not something to be taken lightly.That was nearly seven years ago. Patriotic veterans and lawmakers are still fighting to protect the flag, the most visible symbol of democracy to the world. Enemies of freedom like ISIS are thrilled to see American infighting over the U.S. flag within our own borders.Just last Monday, Janet Nguyen, a state senator from California, announced a proposed constitutional amendment to block publicly funded universities from banning the American flag. It was initiated when a student council at the University of California, Irvine, tried to ban the display of all flags.Six undergraduate members of the council defended their action by explaining that flags may be interpreted differently and that our flag can represent "American exceptionalism and superiority," as well as oppression. They went on to say that freedom of speech in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible such as the school lobby can be interpreted as "hate speech." They called on the school's student body to "make every effort" to ensure the lobby is "as inclusive as possible."Incredibly, a large group of university professors signed a letter showing their support for the students, explaining that the flag contributes to racism.Thankfully, a higher student panel vetoed the resolution three days later, calling the action "misguided" and that it didn't represent the views of the students on campus. The university's administration also denounced the action.Regarding the "freedom of speech" argument, we recall several times in recent years when conservative black women and esteemed public servants like Condoleeza Rice and Ayaan Hirsi Ali were denied an opportunity to speak on college campuses because their views didn't fit the school's liberal ideology.Saying that the American flag fuels oppression or that it conjures up "hate speech" is ridiculous.When Congressman Barletta addressed the flag desecration amendment issue in 2008 he explained how our flag flies over our most treasured monuments and is the symbol of America in foreign lands. When an American hero falls in battle, the flag is the solemn gift given to his or her family on behalf of a grateful nation.The flag is still our symbol of freedom, even for those leftist students and liberal professors who consider it offensive or view American exceptionalism as a negative in this world.By JIM ZBICKeditor@tnonline.com