Protest is as American as baseball and apple pie.  Protesting by burning the flag may be un-American, but it is nevertheless constitutionally protected free speech according to the Supreme Court.  But what about protests that turn destructive, torching police cars, blazing public property and igniting buildings with anarchist glee?

Some of the most famous colors in all the world are red ,white and blue. The American flag is known everywhere from the surface of the moon, the gold-medal stand at the Olympics, as well as to places of military victory and political leadership. All this, of course, raises the questions, why does it matter, and who should care?

The fact that Americans and our visitors can exercise their religious faith freely without fear, including attending the place of worship of their choice, is one of the blessings of the American Revolution and the American way of life.

Today the very concept of unity is in question as we see our nation polarizing over the plethora of issues we face. The national debate that has developed over the standing for the National Anthem at sporting events has highlighted this fact all too well.

It is true that the American story bears the marks of the evil and catastrophe of slavery. When our founding fathers determined they would not be slaves, ironically and tragically some of them were in fact slave owners.

The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, and we can anticipate protests over prayer having a role in the official life of government.  But this is nothing new.  In fact, this is the very manner in which our nation began.

Historically Americans have given equal respect to both the flag and the National Anthem either through standing for the Pledge of Allegiance or for the singing of our National Anthem. 21st century America seems to be conflicted about these conventions.