FLAG: There's an overlap, whether one chooses to see it or not...

[MADem]

3. Yep. Everyone knows that a person has every "right" to cut a fart on the subway.

But is it always absolutely necessary? Might it be perceived as unkind, even rude--especially at rush hour?

I look at flag burning that way. Sure you can do it, but must you? You hurt the feelings of older people who feel that it is a representative symbol of their nation, of their military service; it stings many disabled vets/gold star families, and what does it accomplish? Wheee!! The burner gets to feel militant, naughty, like a halfassed bad-ass. Look at MEEEE! I'm TOUGH! I can burn a piece of multicolored cloth and say "Na na, you can't do a thing about it!"

We already know the burners have a "right" to burn it...well, DUH. That's not news. Who, precisely, are these folks trying to piss off...and why? And what does it accomplish?

It's like that fart in the subway car. Every one notices it, many are appalled, others simply disgusted, still others roll their eyes in exasperation (comes with the territory, but damn), and only the odd fart sniffer "likes" it. The farter might feel smug, because he's imposed his stink on everyone around him, but he hasn't done anything to endear himself to the larger group, he hasn't done anything that improves anyone's life, and he hasn't done a damn thing worth remembering.

Far better to wait for your stop, and quickly crop dust your way through the station so as not to inconvenience or offend those with whom you share common cause.

Common courtesy--but I guess it's not terribly common these days.