While watching the news recently, I heard Madonna say she had thought about blowing up the White House. She may have her fame and fortune but she isn't above the law.

This wasn't cute nor was it funny. People have the right to protest but the manner in which they conduct themselves matters.

They have no right to break out windows and steal items, to set fire to a vehicle, harm another person, destroy someone's property; these are crimes. What is the point of stomping on old glory, setting it on fire? Some call it Freedom of Speech. I call it a heartless act.

If I want to give my opinion, I will do so. But in a respectful way, and I will not be destructive about it.

How many countries would put up with what goes on here? Freedom is priceless.

This country has its faults and government is not perfect; never was, and never will be.

If one is looking for that perfect president, or any government official just keep looking.

I wouldn't want to be going through what President Trump is going through, but he went through it before he became president.

We are so lucky in this country, and I appreciate the freedom I have always known. We have freedom of speech, a right to protest, but I don't go along with breaking the law, and you will never see me touching old glory in any way but with respect.

Shirley Barrett,

Rock Island

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Letter: Free speech doesn't mean you're above the law - Quad-Cities Online