Tommy Lasorda

Tommy Lasorda is the general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the following viewpoint, which is taken from his testimony before a congressional committee in 1998, Lasorda argues that the American flag is an important symbol of America, and as such, it should be protected from acts of desecration such as burning. He urges Congress to pass an amendment that prohibits flag burning and other acts of physical desecration. As of May 2001, the amendment had not passed both houses in Congress.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is one of the greatest ideas that Americans can teach their children, in Lasorda’s opinion?
2. According to Lasorda, who took away the people’s right to protect their flag?
3. How many acts of flag desecration were reported during an eighteen-month period, as...