flag burning in Grand Haven

Yesterday morning, my brother's family woke to find a charred rectangle at the bottom of their flagpole. Of course they are upset... not just because it was a flag they burnt but because someone came into their yard while they slept and destroyed their private property. After several hours they were able to get their troubled daughters (ages 7 and 9) to sleep. Two local news stations ran stories of the mishap and debates regarding the incident are raging online. Most comments seem to take up the argument of "flag burning" which misses the point. This family was violated, terrorized and the fact that it was a flag that was burnt is less important than the permanent damage done to the family, the children and their sense of community and safety. Check out the videos:

http://www.woodtv.com/global/story.asp?S=8286261

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=91855