From the Department of "How Amzaingly Crass and Stupid Can You Be?":

A photo appeared on the CNN website this morning under the headline announcing that Congress had passed legislation barring demonstrations at military funerals. The picture showed an arrogantly self-righteous man, holding an upside-down American flag and signs reading, "Thank God for IEDs" and "God is Your Enemy." At the risk of being accused of supporting infringement of our constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms of speech and assembly, I think Congress has - for once - done something useful and necessary.

I strongly support our unfettered freedom of speech, which is unique in the world. Unfortunately, as I have commented before, the constitution does not guarantee an equivalent freedom of smart. How low a form of life must one be to show signs like these at the funeral of a soldier who died in the service of his country? How stupidly arrogant must one be to intrude so crassly into a family's time of grief? I don't know who the man in the photo is, but I think he's a worthless cretin with a dark and cobweb-festooned heart and no brain.

I have written before bemoaning the loss of civility and decency in modern American culture. From our "I'm right, you're wrong, go to hell" political culture to the increasingly intolerant positions of the extreme religious right, we have poisoned our ability to exchange views in a civilized and rational manner. Sadly, I don't see the situation improving any time soon, and morons who drape themselves in inverted flags and intrude on the grief of military families are just one example of a sad, continuing trend.

Agnes and I often dine at a popular local restaurant where a prominent sign advertises, "Be nice or get out." Too bad we can't make it a national policy.

Have a good day. Be courteous to someone. You may find you like it.

Bilbo