Helvig's Helvitorials

'Discrimination' isn't always a dirty word

Published in the Holland Sentinel on February 18, 2008 -

People have a bad habit of taking things to the extreme. Case in point: We pick words or phrases that we don't like and make them out to be completely bad, or even evil.

Take the word "discrimination." Many in our society would have you believe that any and all discrimination is wrong. I have to disagree. I don't believe that girls should be allowed in the Boy Scouts anymore than I believe boys should be allowed in the Girl Scouts. I don't believe male reporters should be allowed in the women's locker room anymore than women should be allowed in the men's locker room. Non-veterans should not be allowed to join clubs such as the VFW. Yet, to deny such access is technically "discrimination".

I do believe that a store should be allowed to decide which organizations may solicit contributions on its property without the threat of being sued for discrimination. I do believe that the emotionally unstable should not be allowed to be police officers. And I do believe that God discriminates against those who have refused to repent of their sins.

Anyone who says, "All discrimination is wrong and should not be tolerated," is an extremist. Although there are many types of inappropriate discrimination, there are also appropriate types. Extremist thinking and behavior of any sort should be challenged, so that common sense may prevail.

What does it mean to discriminate? According to my dictionary, it means to differentiate, to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences. Is all discrimination bad? I think not. Can discrimination be used in a godly way? I believe so.

I'm not talking about treating people badly because they're different. I am talking about understanding the difference between right and wrong. I am talking about distinguishing between what is acceptable to God and what is not. I am talking about identifying sin and what God says we should do about it.

It is not because of hatred that the Christian calls on others to identify and turn away from their sins. It is because of love for their fellow man and their love of God that they say such things. It is not discrimination against the person, but discrimination against the sin. Anyone who discriminates against sin is acting according to God's word. Anyone who hates others because of their sin is in direct violation of God's greatest commandment.

If those who understand what is right never correct me, how am I to know when I'm doing wrong? There is a huge difference between correction and condemnation. Just because someone points out my sins, that doesn't mean he is judging or condemning me. There is also a huge difference between earthly discrimination and biblical discernment. Directing me away from my sins should not be confused with discrimination.

The good news is that God's love for people and hatred of sin both come from the same heart. God's grace and judgment come from the same heart. We cannot have one without the other. We cannot stand in the comfort of God's mercy without first being convicted of our sins.

There can be no salvation until there is forgiveness; there can be no forgiveness until there is repentance; and there can be no repentance until there is confession. How can there be confession, if we don't know what to confess?

There are many forms of appropriate discrimination taking place every day across this great country. You have to be of minimum age to get a job. You have to be able to see in order to get a driver's license. You have to pass a physical to join the armed forces. You have to pass all your classes in order to graduate from school, etc.

Unfortunately, there are still way too many cases of inappropriate discrimination occurring daily as well. Racial discrimination is still one of this country's worst character flaws. Labeling Christians as hateful because they try to lead people to repentance is also wrong. What we all need to do is learn to discern right from wrong and help each other get on the right path.

What did we get for voting early? Nothing

Published in the Holland Sentinel on January 21, 2008 -

If there are any legislators or executives in Lansing patting themselves on the back for bumping Michigan's presidential primary up to Jan. 15, they should simply resign their office, effective immediately.

Our elected officials in Lansing went out of their way to violate national party rules and in effect, stole the voice of every Michigander who wanted to vote for a Democratic candidate. They also stole one-half of the voice of every Michigan resident who voted for a Republican in this year's presidential primary. They have effectively contaminated the entire election process and for what, 15 minutes of fame in the national news? Give me a break.

First off, anyone following the national news since Michigan's vain decision to go against the Republican and the Democratic national committees knows that Michigan did not get the coverage our so-called leaders had hoped to receive. In fact, the bulk of the hype was still on Iowa and New Hampshire, leading up to their respective contests, and on the rare occasions Michigan was mentioned, it was usually in a bad light.

Secondly, the national media have moved on to other states, where they will stay until after the national conventions take place this summer.

In the meantime, Michigan is still stuck in the same rut we were in before our one week of "glory." We continue to set national standards in unemployment, job losses, foreclosures and, of course, resident departures. If things don't start getting better real soon, Michigan is going to lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2010 census is complete. Then we will get to enjoy the agony of redistricting the entire state.

While there are some who would argue that Michigan's economic plight being brought to the forefront of the presidential race was a good thing, I would ask you to consider the cost. Whether they voted or not, the state's Democrats have been robbed of their right to have their votes count in this year's presidential primary election. Meanwhile, the Republican voters lost half of their delegates. Can you imagine what kind of national news coverage Michigan is going to get if after all the states have voted, Mitt Romney comes up 30 votes short of the number needed to win the nomination? Surely there was a better way to grab the national spotlight.

Is there a bright side to all of this? Absolutely! Every red-blooded citizen who managed to go to the polls on Jan. 15 gets to look forward to receiving tons of junk mail from either Michigan's Democratic Party or Republican party.

After all, aside from Mitt Romney winning the GOP primary, the state's political parties were the only true winners in all of this. If you voted, they get to know exactly who you are, where you live and which party ballot you requested. What a comforting thought!

So, what positive, tangible results have come to the citizens of this state because our primary was moved up? How is this going to stop the exodus of jobs and citizens? What long-lasting financial boost did our state economy receive from this venture? How was bumping up our primary in the best interest of all Michiganders?

At this point, one can only ask those in Lansing, "Just who are you really working for?"

McCain NOT this Veteran's Candidate

The following is a letter from my father regarding Senator John McCain's lack of care, concern and assistance for an Air Force Veteran dealing with America's Veterans' Administration. I don't know about the rest of the Veteran's in this country, but John McCain is not this Veteran's candidate.

I am a United States Air Force Viet Nam Vet that suffered a service connected back injury due to a fall while servicing an airplane in July of 1966. This injury damaged, nerve roots and permanently crushed the left gluteal muscle. After hospitalization and extensive physical therapy I was able to continue my service to my country and served in Viet Nam in 1967. I continued to suffer from chronic lower back pain, but the warm SE Asia climate helped diminish the pain. In early 1968 I left the Air Force and entered the private sector.

One month after discharge I was at a Veterans Hospital suffering from sever back pain. The environment toward returning Viet Nam military by the people at the VA was spiteful to say the least. I was x-rayed and then with no examination asked by a doctor if I could touch my toes. Since after a few painful minutes of bending down I was able to accomplish this he informed me that if I could do that I could not have a bad back, then he summarily sent packing as he walked away. I was so infuriated I walked out of the hospital

Without pulling up or reviewing any military medical records the VA due to this visit claimed that my injury was not service connected. This started a 40 year battle that still goes on to this day.

In January of 1984 the pain in my lower back was different and my right leg went dead. No movement and I suffered drop foot. The VA in Seattle tried to diagnose the condition and at first recommended surgery, but after six months the leg recovered 85% and the prognosis was that the siadic nerve coming from the lumbar section was compressed. Also at this time the condition was determined to be service connected and a new VA ID Card was issued reflecting this change.   

However no compensation was provided. The lower back has remained a chronic problem from 1966 to this date.

In late 2004 the pain in my lower back changed again with sharp shooting pains radiating down through my thighs buckling my legs and causing me to fall. I went back to the VA in Seattle where they did an immediate MRI and then prescribed Physical Therapy. The condition continued to deteriorate causing both legs to weaken with pain and limit my ability to walk or function. I did not and to this day have not been seen by a VA doctor with the exception of a doctor at the VA in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2006 when the pain got so bad I could barely walk and I required an injection into my right hip. This relieved the pain in the hip only.

During these several months we moved from Washington state to Gilbert, AZ, while remaining in communication with the VA and trying to receive treatment. This has remained to no avail.

With total frustration I contacted the office of  Senator John Mc Cain in the Phoenix office and talked to a Mr. Tom Mc Camma. Tom after reading the history of this condition and the years of failing to get any medical help from the VA committed his office to assist me in any way they could. I was asked to come to the office where I talked to Tom on this matter and we established a strategy.

However last Fall I had another letter and several more documents that I was sending to the VA and wanted to send Tom copies. I called Tom to inform him that this was my intention and that he didn't have to do anything with them except to file them if he wanted. However Tom informed me that he didn't want them at all and I needed to be aware that they were in the middle of an election campaign and were to busy to assist me. When I reminded him he only needed to file them he sharply stated that I needed to be aware of the fact that the VA has a 400,000 back log of Vet's needing one thing or another and I shouldn't expect them to be able to help me.

I was sharply taken back by this statement and replied that a backlog of that magnitude was disgraceful and didn't happen over night and maybe the Senator should have been on top of this problem as he claimed to be one of us. Point blank I informed Tom Mc Camma that If John Mc Cain had been doing his job in the Senate and spending more time fixing the VA to insure proper and expedient receipt of medical treatment and education assistance that the veterans wouldn't be part of a 400,000 back log and being denied their benefits. I further informed Mr. Mc Camma that it could not be a funding issue as Senator Mc Cain like many others voted billions of dollars to criminals invading our country, so they can have free unearned medical and education benefits.

How ironic that those that served, suffered and died are denied earned benefits while those breaking the laws and costing our economy billions of dollars get a free ride. Like Hillary Clinton, John Mc Cain hasn't done the job we have been paying him for over the past several years and now he wants us to elect him to a higher post. Not on my watch! John Mc Cain is not one of US!

My back condition deteriorated to the point where it required major surgery and I could no longer put it off so in October of 2007 my L-4 and L-5 vertebrae were fused bringing L-4 back into place and the nerve canal was opened as well to relieve the nerve compression. This has provided some relief and allowed me to function better than before the surgery, however I will have major life long restrictions that affect my life and that of my family.

Straight or Gay, Sin is Sin

Straight or Gay, Sin is Sin - Published in the Holland Sentinel on November 12, 2007

I am a Christian. What should I say then about sin? How should I deal with my own sins? How should I treat others regarding their sins?

The Bible says it is a sin to seek revenge against others. However, I cannot allow someone who has wronged me to go unpunished. What lies should I say to myself? "It is justice that I seek, not vengeance. If God didn't want me to get even with my enemies, then he would not have made me so judgmental." If I love God I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin to steal. My brother commits grand larceny. What lies should I say to him? "Many people have an innate desire to take that which does not belong to them. God made you a thief and he loves you just as you are. You have done no wrong and you have no need to change your ways." If I love him I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin to lie. My sister lies all the time. What lies should I say to her? "Everybody tells lies. We cannot help being the way we are. God has no problem with your lack of integrity. He loves it when people deceive others." If I love her I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin to commit adultery. My mother confesses to me that she has engaged in numerous affairs. What lies should I say to her? "It is OK, Mom, for you to have affairs, because God put those desires in your heart. You have no reason to feel regret, remorse or shame. God understands your lustful appetite and will bless you for being open about it." If I love her I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin for a man to lie with another man as he would a woman. My son tells me that he is gay and that he wants me to accept him for who he is. What lies should I say to him? "Son, that is great! God created each of us in His image and if you are gay that means God is gay. Your sexual tendencies are part of who God made you to be. There is nothing wrong with what you are doing. God accepts you just as you are." If I love him I will not.

I am a Christian. I understand the truth that I, like all people, am a born sinner. I have accepted the fact that I was born into a sinful world with sinful tendencies in my heart. I also realize that God despises my sin and will not accept me into his kingdom unless I am cleansed of my sins.

I am a Christian. I know that by my own power, I cannot overcome my sins. I believe that Jesus willingly sacrificed himself on the cross so that I can be rescued from the eternal consequences of my sins. I have accepted God's revelation that without faith in Christ, I am still subject to God's righteous judgment.

I am a Christian. I have heard the call of God to repent of my sins. I have sought out the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed my sins to Him. I have asked Jesus to have mercy on me in spite of my sinful nature and to forgive me of my sins. By His mighty power and loving grace, He has granted my request.

I am a Christian. I have received forgiveness for my sins from the only one who can forgive sins. I have heard His call to repent and will dedicate the rest of my life to the process of repentance. I will reject my sinful nature and my sinful desires and I will trust in God to help me be pure, as He is pure.

I am a Christian. Although my sins have been forgiven and my salvation is secure, I know that I will occasionally stumble and even fall. In spite of my sinful shortcomings and in spite of the world's ridicule of me, I will do my part to lead others to repentance, so that they too may one day rejoice in heaven.

I am a Christian. What shall I say then to my brother, my sister, my mother and my son? Shall I tell them that I want each of them to be saved as I am saved? Shall I share the truth about sin with them? Shall I try my hardest to convince them to seek Jesus' forgiveness for their sins? If I love them I will.

Breaking News - Fox News overrun by Drama Queens

Breaking News – Fox News overrun by Drama Queens

Is it just me or are we all getting pretty tired of FNC’s abuse of “Breaking News” and “News Alerts”? It amazes me that you can’t watch one day’s worth of programming on America’s “fair and balanced” network without being assaulted by these false overtures. The producers at the FNC must think we are the dumbest viewers in the history of television news.

The recent fires in Southern California provided almost every anchor on Fox with the opportunity to over-dramatize the events of the day. I’ve never seen so many “Breaking News” reports on one story in my life. And it wasn’t as if they were actually reporting on something that hadn’t been covered all day long or even a significant change to what had already been reported. Everything was just “breaking”.

In order for news to be breaking, it is supposed to interrupt the regularly scheduled programming. That is why breaking news used to always be preceded with phrases like, “We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this special report”. Likewise, breaking news was always followed by the announcement, “We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.”

Hannity & Colmes are pretty much tied with Greta for being the worst when it comes to “News Alerts”. They flash that notice on the screen and start telling us all about some trivial story Shepard Smith “broke” six to seven hours earlier that same day. What is so alerting about a story that has been covered by every other anchor on your network?

When it comes to being overly dramatic, you can’t help but love Shepard Smith and Geraldo Rivera. However, the top Drama Queen of them all has to be John Gibson.

How is it possible to open your show with “Breaking News”? How do you head into a commercial break by saying, “When we come back, we’ll have Breaking News on today’s top story”? How do you have breaking news in the beginning, middle and end of a news program? How is anything “Brittney” breaking? Do they not understand the simple concept of “Breaking”?

As if all this weren’t bad enough, the FNC has become the king of speculation TV. When your interview includes questions like, “What do you think she meant by…” or “What is going through his mind right now…” you are no longer reporting, you are speculating. What could a retired Jersey trooper possibly know about a carjacker in California? If he’s not a psychic, he’s just another spectator and his input is nothing but conjecture.

Now, I don’t get CNN and I wouldn’t watch MSNBC if you paid me. For all I know, they may be just as bad as my beloved Fox. However, if someone doesn’t step up and do something about the over-dramatization of network news, I am going to have to turn off my TV and rely solely on the Internet for my daily news.

What is it going to take to bring some integrity to the cable news networks? Maybe we should get Bill O’Reilly to lead a boycott against all network news until they get their act together, quit speculating and stop abusing the once sacred “Breaking News”.

No one's perfect, so we have to choose the best

Published in the Holland Sentinel on October 15, 2007 -

James Dobson is a courageous leader and a battle-scarred warrior. He has gone head to head with the best of them and has done a wonderful job of defending Christian values in the political arena. He has earned our respect and deserves our prayers.

However, just as John Kerry's war record didn't make him a good president, Jim Dobson's record does not make him right about the 2008 presidential race.

Dobson has allowed his pride to cause him to publicly vow "never for the rest of my life to vote for anyone who would kill innocent babies." Making this a personal vow is not the problem. The problem is that he has tied his position to the front-runners for the 2008 presidential election and is publicly encouraging millions to follow his lead. If that happens, Hillary Clinton will most certainly be the next president.

According to most major polls, if the general election were held today, Rudy Giuliani would face Hillary Clinton for president. If this scenario becomes a reality, pro-lifers will be forced to choose which pro-choice candidate would be the best of the two to defend the sanctity of life. According to the Dobson plan, pro-lifers should not vote for either candidate.

Promoting our values can never be accomplished by refusing to vote. A non-vote for Rudy would be the same as casting two votes for Hillary.

American citizens not only have the right to vote, but the responsibility to vote. We have a duty to ourselves, our children and our country to make sure that the best candidates are elected. We never have the luxury of having "ideal candidates," who meet 100 percent of our expectations. In every election, we must choose the best person for the job, from the field of available candidates.

There are also times where we may have to set aside our pride in order to make sure the wrong person does not get elected. The 2008 election could present such an opportunity for the pro-life citizens of this country.

If Dobson wants to take a biblical approach to this situation, he should go back and study the books of Daniel and Esther in the Old Testament.

Daniel was taken captive to Babylon and forced into slavery as an assistant to some very evil kings. He did not refuse to work for them because their pagan practices clashed with his religion. Instead, Daniel held true to his faith and honored God as he worked directly with and for the evil kings.

Esther was chosen to be the queen of a pagan king. She could have gone out of her way to avoid selection, but instead, she gave her best for the sake of her Lord. In doing so, God used her to save his people from complete annihilation by having her convince the pagan king to change his position.

Neither of these Old Testament heroes wanted the task appointed them. Surely they would have preferred to remain with other godly people. However, when the time came, they did what they had to do for the sake of God's plan.

If God gives us a choice between candidates A and B, we do not have the option of choosing D, none of the above.

I would never vote for Rudy, or any other pro-choice candidate, in a primary election. However, once the lots have been cast and I am forced to choose between bad or worse, I will prayerfully make the godly choice.

Dobson's Option C is the promotion of a conservative third-party candidate. Unfortunately, there is not enough time to establish a viable third-party candidate for the 2008 election. First, we need to keep Hillary from becoming president. Then Dobson and company can focus on building a third party.

The solution to the Dobson problem is simple. Americans need to make sure that we don't have two pro-choice candidates on the presidential ballot next November. That battle can only be won in the primaries.

Republicans, Start paying attention

Published in the Holland Sentinel on September 17, 2007

Wake up, Michigan Republicans! We are now 10 months into the 2008 presidential campaign cycle and it is time to start paying attention to the candidates and their positions If you haven't been following the race, it's time to get caught up.

Thanks to the big brains in Lansing, Michigan's presidential primary is just four months away. In spite of threats from the Republican National Committee (RNC) to chop the number of delegates for the national convention in half, our GOP leaders voted to bump Michigan's primary up to Jan. 15, 2008.

In their infinite wisdom, our legislators and the governor decided that neither the RNC nor the Democratic National Committee (DNC) would actually enforce the election rules approved during the 2004 conventions. I guess the new Super Tuesday of Feb. 5 wasn't good enough for Michigan to make a big enough splash in the national pond.

Meanwhile, candidates from both parties have stated that they will not be campaigning in Michigan. And why would they? If the Dems lose all of their delegates and the GOP loses half of theirs, just how big of an impact is Michigan even capable of making on the national level?

As for the candidates, Rudy Giuliani, the only pro-choice candidate in the GOP race, is leading in the polls, as he has been since the beginning. Although Fred Thompson just recently put his hat in the ring, he is securely in second place. Mitt Romney and John McCain have swapped third for fourth positions, with McCain presently ahead of Romney. Meanwhile, Mike Huckabee has crawled out of the gutter of the second-tier candidates and is now polling in fifth place.

While Rudy is doing well nationally, I cannot imagine a pro-choice candidate winning enough states to take the nomination. McCain may be celebrating a bounce in the polls following the recent New Hampshire debate, but his "pro-citizenship for illegal aliens" position will keep him from ever regaining the trust of the conservative base. That leaves us with Thompson and Romney.

Mitt has a ton of GOP support here in Michigan and is also doing well in both New Hampshire and Iowa. However, voters still seem to have issues with his faith. While I personally believe voters should be looking at a candidate's core values as opposed to their religious denomination, I don't know if Mitt will be able to win over enough conservative Christians in time to take the key states.

So far, Thompson seems to be the answer that the GOP base has been waiting for. His second-place position in the national polls has been solid since mid-June, almost three months before he officially entered the race. The question is: Will we have a short-lived honeymoon with the actor-turned-politician or is he the real deal? Can Fred (or Mitt for that matter) step out of the pack and become the new trendsetter for the GOP?

Although there is a secondary tier of candidates, this will soon be a three-way contest, barring of course some major upset in the race. Michigan Republicans are going to have to decide whether they want half of their delegate votes to go to Giuliani, Thompson or Romney. If you are not already on board with one of these camps, now is the time to do your research, make your choice and get involved.

So what's it going to be, Michigan? America's future may rest in your hands.

Congress, Voters on Different Planets

Published in the Holland Sentinel on August 20, 2007

The U.S. Congress is doing a real crappy job of serving the citizens of this country.

According to Real Clear Politics, the latest poll average puts the job approval rating of Congress at just 24.7 percent. Americans are obviously not happy with the current performance of our so-called leaders in Washington, D.C.

Among other things, the left is upset with the Democrats for failing to end the war in Iraq. Liberals actually believed last year's campaign promises and have been once again duped by those who simply tell them what they want to hear in order to get elected or re-elected.

Meanwhile, the right is still ticked off about the repeated attempts to grant citizenship to illegal aliens. Not only did a number of Republican senators spit in the face of their base, but the president himself went out of his way to belittle and berate the most loyal of his supporters.

Let's not forget about the independents. Those in the middle would give just about anything to see something positive get done on Capitol Hill for a change. Their No. 1 question has got to be, "Whatever happened to common sense?"

It is obvious that our senators and representatives have forgotten just who they work for and what their job is. Maybe they all need to go on a leaders' retreat to re-evaluate their pitiful existence and re-educate themselves about the U.S. Constitution. They all seem to know what the document is, but they are obviously not living up to what it says.

The biggest problem I see today with our Capitol Hill cronies is power. There are those who have it, those who think they have it, those who want it and those who will do anything to get it. Having and wielding power has become more important than doing what is right for the sake of this nation.

I must have missed the paragraph in the U.S. Constitution that places an emphasis on attaining power while in office. Silly me, I thought these leaders were in Washington to serve their constituency. Somewhere in my twisted past I learned that our government was supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people.

One of the fixable keys to attaining power is longevity. The longer we leave elected officials in office, the more they strive for and typically acquire power.

If you had to name the five most powerful people on Capitol Hill, would they not be those with the most tenure? How much better would your life be if those five individuals were no longer eligible to serve in the U.S. Congress?

The ultimate solution to the power problem is term limits. The absence of term limits has created a false sense of invincibility and immortality in too many of our legislators. If we would simply restrict our elected officials to 20 years on the Hill, we would not have to deal with the insanity that seems to settle in on our career politicians.

Once the term limits are in place and the toilet of corruption has been flushed, the American Congress can get down to business and get back to work for the American people. Then and only then will the congressional approval ratings get back above 50 percent. Then and only then will our national legislature be truly effective.

Then and only then will Congress be what it was originally intended to be.

Abortion is not an 'Option'

Published in the Holland Sentinel on July 16, 2007

Back in January, I introduced you to my niece while she was still in her mommy's tummy. If you caught the Jan. 15 Sentinel article, "Right to choose is wrong," you saw an ultrasound photo of what appeared to be a smiling baby in the womb.

Well, I am most pleased to provide you with an updated photo of the latest addition to the Helvig clan.

Cassidy is now about a month and a half old and is doing great. Her sister graduated from high school just days before she was born, and her brother will be a freshman this fall. This means my sister and her husband are starting the parent track all over again, just as it seemed they were ready to move toward the empty nest stage of life.

It would have been so easy to say "oops" and go to the doctor for a quick fix. After all, they had paid their parental dues and now should have been a time for them to enjoy each other more.

And what about the money? It would have been much cheaper to get an abortion than it will be to raise this child. These arguments are sadly commonplace in our society.

I praise God that my sister does not think the way too many Americans think. I am so pleased that abortion was not an option when she received word that she was pregnant. I am also very happy to have this opportunity to introduce you to my niece.

Cassidy has already brought great joy into the hearts of many people. She is a blessing to her parents, her siblings and all who have had the opportunity to hold her. She is a beautiful baby who is just beginning to experience what is sure to be a wonderful life.

Cassidy is also the same human being she was back in January, when she was but a few months along in the womb.

As I stated back in January: "Although the topic of abortion is highly debated in religious and political circles, I submit this article in the interest of human decency. The value of the life of a child should not be used as political fodder, nor should it be used to divide a society. Abortion should simply be outlawed because it is wrong to take the life of an innocent human being."

Considering this picture and the ultrasound photo from January, how could anyone say that it would have been OK to kill my niece before she was born? What in the world is going on in the hearts and minds of the pro-choice crowd?

Governor's Abuse of Flag Code confuses flag owners

Unpublished -

The American Flag is a perpetual symbol of independence, freedom and liberty. It is a declaration of the sovereignty of the United States. Old Glory flies high atop her pole as the ultimate icon of truth, justice and democracy. Our flag is a standing reminder that our nation is a republic, which broke away from the grip of tyranny, in order to form a more perfect union.

The American Flag soars over our federal buildings and welcomes us to our national monuments. It lines the streets of our cities and leads the way in our parades. Our flag flies proudly at our job sites, our schools and our places of worship. Our National Ensign sways in the wind aboard our naval vessels and greets us at the gates of our military posts.

The American Flag personifies the patriotism of our elected officials and our government employees. It is a reminder of the commitment and dedication of our nation's police officers and fire fighters. The Stars and Stripes also represents the honor, courage and sacrifice of every American who has served in our armed forces and it drapes the coffins of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Our flag is all of this and much more. It is many things to many people. However, one thing the American Flag was never meant to be is the symbol of a state mandated protest against war. Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening right here in Michigan.

Governor Granholm has abused her authority by using the American Flag to stir up animosity toward the Bush Administration's management of the war in Iraq. Ordering the flag to be lowered to half-staff every time a service member from Michigan is killed in combat is not authorized by the U.S. Flag Code and yet, that is exactly what she has done. Can you imagine this being national policy? The flag would be at half-staff every day for ten years, just because of the war in Iraq.

The Governor has confused a great number of Michiganders regarding the historical purpose of our National Ensign and has bewildered the state's flag owners with her half-staff protest. On any given day, you can drive down the city streets of any Michigan town and find some flags at full-staff and others at half-staff. Sometimes, these opposing posts will be on adjacent properties. The spirit of the flag has been severely darkened and the significance of lowering the flag to half-staff has been profoundly diminished by this deviation from protocol.

While it is acceptable for individuals to lower their personal flags because of the loss of a loved one, it is inappropriate for the governor to abuse the power of her office in this way. The U.S. Flag Code does not grant her the authority to disparage the American Flag under the guise of honoring our fallen service members. If the policy were meant to be used this way, every flag in the country would stay at half-staff every day. In fact, it would take 95 years just to honor those who died on Iwo Jima, thus eliminating the significance of lowering the flag.

If you have not done so recently, I would ask you to read the U.S. Flag Code. Be sure to look up the half-staff requirements and a governor's authority in subparagraph (m). While you are there, read the segment on Memorial Day. Even on the national holiday for honoring our fallen heroes, the flag is to be lowered to half-staff only until noon, then briskly raised back to the top of it's pole.

Governor Granholm's policy may appear to serve an honorable purpose, but after reading the U.S. Flag Code, one cannot help but question her motives. If Michigan cannot convince her to retract this policy, Michiganders should at least stop participating in her protest. We should all disregard her calls to lower our flags and instead abide by the federal policy. As for me, I have not and will not lower my American Flag at the command of a pretentious and seditious Canadian.