Is Life So Dear, Or Peace So Sweet?

Stoughton, Massachusetts: Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz, in support of Denmark and free speech, bought two Danish flags on Monday and raised one of the red-and-white banners outside the Town Hall that morning, flying it on the pole beneath the US flag.

It's hard to believe Massachusetts was once a stronghold of freedom loving rebels that founded this great nation. Several town employees told Stankiewicz they did not agree with his decision and worried the flag could provoke violence against theTown Hall in light of the attacks against Danish and other European embassies throughout the Middle East. Many people in town saw the foreign flag display as insensitive and inflammatory.

And here's a group that must have Paul Revere turning over in his grave. The Stoughton No Place for Hate Committee, a local antidiscrimination group, plans to discuss the episode at its meeting tonight because of fears that residents might be hurt or insulted.'There's always that chance that there will be people who are offended, and we want to guard against that," said Karon Skinner-Catrone, chairperson of the 10-person group, some of whom are town officials.

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" - Patrick Henry, Founding Father

Hat tip to The Boston Globe.