Sir, - Sarah Bowie (April 30th) is confused about the nature of Flag Day in the United States. The National Flag Day Bill of 1949 simply designates June 14th as "Flag Day" and requests the president to issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance, and for the display of the flag on all federal government buildings. The amendment of the Bill in 1966 further authorises the president to designate the week in which June 14th falls as "National Flag Week" and to call on all citizens of the US to display the flag during that week.
This is not "obliging" Americans to do anything. In fact, if any federal, state or local authority tried such a stunt, the attempt would be declared unconstitutional by the courts in short order, as a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed basic right of free speech. The fact of the matter is that lots of people in the US fly the flag on the day, and lots don't, and indeed don't care one way or another.
Additionally, students who for religious or personal reasons feel they cannot in good conscience make the Pledge of Allegiance have for the past half-century routinely been allowed to opt out of it. Any school district now trying to force a student to participate in the pledge against his or her will would, again, be likely to wind up in court because of the unconstitutionality of such an attack on the student's free speech rights, as did the West Virginia State Board of Education in 1943. In the state of Virginia, which has recently enacted broadly similar legislation, the move is already being challenged in the courts.
If Ms Bowie is this confused about matters of public record in the US, she may also be confused about matters in China. But either way, even though "everyone has a right to their opinion", opinions do attract more credence if they're informed. - Yours, etc.,
Diane Duane, Grangecon, Co Wicklow.