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injustice and improper authority are good, and make us stronger and better. But we detest protests that malign everything we hold dear; values we have seen our friends pay for with their lives. We feel that denouncing your citizenship in this country by burning its flag, while enjoying the rights and privileges that the flag represents, is the deepest hypocrisy. My young friends, if you are truly sincere, I am sure you do not want to be a hypocrite in your actions. I now hand this lighter back, but I would ask him who lights the fire to renounce his citizenship in this great country and leave it, and I, myself, will pay for his ticket to any other country of his choice.” Everyone was silent as John held out the lighter to the members of the protest group. But no one took it. Each, instead, gradually, and silently, slipped away. That day, no flag was burned. 35