Lynch should have known the law before violating it

Editor,

Peter Lynch had no understanding of American law when he committed his act of unconscionable vigilantism, and it is clear from his most recent tirade that he has learned nothing.

As before, he made a massive error by referencing the U.S. Flag Code which, in all its clauses, says "should" and never"must."

There are no requirements under the law on how to display the flag of our country, but they are merely suggestions. By actually quoting the law, Lynch exposed his own ignorance and laid out for everyone to see how frightfully presumptuous he is.

I myself am particularly anal about the proper display of our flag, but I wouldn't be committing a crime should I be lax in its display. My primary objection to Lynch's actions has never been regarding prejudices he may hold or even the crime he committed by destroying a flag that did not belong to him.

While destroying the Mexican flag was petty vandalism and, due to the flag's origin as a gift from the Mexican consulate, probably a crime in two countries, it was the attitude behind his actions that is most offensive.

Lynch, as a citizen, felt he had the right to enforce the laws of our country despite the system we have in place to do so - a system that Lynch himself has now been properly disciplined by. The fact that he clearly didn't have even a basic understanding of the law that he was pretending to enforce makes the crime all the more unfortunate. It also demonstrates exactly why we don't allow ordinary citizens to enforce any law they choose and blatantly ignore others.

I would like to make one additional point to Lynch. I agree with you when you state, "Racism in any form is not OK." However, you may have wanted to reconsider writing that statement after you wrote that you would have been allowed due process if your name was "Pedro and not Peter."

This is an affront to the entire justice system that you claim you were defending with your action and a laughable statement when compared with statistical reality.

Hispanics and, for that matter, all other minorities, receive demonstrably harsher sentences for equivalent crimes when compared to Whites.

Lynch is entitled to his viewpoints, but he is not entitled to make a mockery of this country by translating those viewpoints into vigilantism.

What Americans really deserve justice for is his affront to our entire way of life, and justice is what he has received.

Juan Carlos Holmes

Daily Lobo reader