Which flag, which people or habitat, do we serve?

There are many ways to serve a country and, by the way, serving country means on behalf of the people not just authority. A soldier, a dutiful citizen, and even a civilly disobedient protester deserves respect regardless the Government's promises or neglect. Sadly some see only American injustice in our flag... while others see hope for peace and parity. This is particularly significant at a time when the meaning of the confederate flag has been under intense scrutiny. Some see the pleasant connotations of Southern living, while others see hateful bigotry and the current racist events in our nation --- which is truly reprehensible. Apparently a flag can also serve to divide us even further when the greater challenge of sustaining all life on earth itself is still contested.  What are we waiting for? And who shall see that there is another flag undulating beneath our consciousness. Earth's flag, once at half mast, is now upended!

A response to Pope Francis's Encyclical Laudato Si'

Some brief thoughts on what stifles understanding and keeps us apart: 

Public Authority. Quoting esteemed authors promotes new readers who thereby might gain enlightenment. Quoting without permission from book publishers, who may also gain by the way from an increase in readers, is therefore justified.  It also has become questionable whether peer review journals do a disservice to the public by hoarding valuable scrutiny of our universe and our behaviors behind barriers of costly access. But is the free flow of all information truly paramount or just?

Personal Authority. Is the invasion of personal privacy by any agency justified?  If it conflicts with a public trust perhaps?  Here we must acknowledge the antagonism between the incorporated person versus the natural person. Such invasions by supposed group authorities bely fears of dissolution, yet threaten the very tendons of what could otherwise thrive as a virtuous and especially trusting society. 

A response, then, in appreciation of Pope Francis' letter to us all:

Today, sadly, ours is not a virtuous society; for we mistake plunder of the earth as evidence of a trust-worthy leadership amongst others competing for the same evanescent position at the helm while the earth herself has lost her steward and the common good is reduced to ashes like burning flags and effigies. 

Today I proclaim my flag is an indestructible flag to honor, and it signifies our flagship earth. From there all human selfish, prostrated yet destructive ways are shamefully exposed. I believe it is indeed time for a global reckoning, time for a leveling which perhaps is already underway  for we have collapsed the sham which has till now held the reality of "modern," "developed" ways behind a curtain of deceit. A bright light has been cast upon humanity now. How must we respond.? How will you respond? What dramatic changes can you accomplish before it is too late for penance? What sacrifices will you make willingly --- before your door is unhinged by strangers...?!

http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html