217;s efforts to maintain peace. The flag symbolized freedom of religion and politics, freedom to bear arms, freedom from forced quartering of troops, freedom from unreasonable searches, the freedom to have a life, the freedom to have liberty, the freedom to own property, the freedom to have protection in criminal trials, freedom from being enslaved, and the freedom from excessive bails and unusual punishments. An anonymous GI once said: ‘Imagine this. In the spring of 1945, around the world, the sight of a twelve-man squad of teenage boys, armed and in uniform, brought terror to people’s hearts. Whether it be the Red Army squad in Berlin, Leipzig, or Warsaw, or a German squad in Holland, or a Japanese squad in Manila, Seoul, or Beijing, that squad meant rape, pillage, looting, wanton destruction, senseless killing. But there was an exception: a squad of GIs, a sight that brought the biggest smiles you ever saw to the people’s lips, and joy to their hearts.’ This was true, because in Post-War Europe, a GI meant candy, cigarettes, C-rations, and freedom. The GIs were there to liberate, not conquer, help, and not terrorize. Everywhere the US Flag went, it brought happiness, and in most cases, freedom.Finally, the flag represented a land of opportunity, where venture capitalism was a noble and daring art, so that anyone with a reasonable invention in their garage could find capital to back it. The land represented has bankruptcy laws that encourage people who fail in financial matters to try again. In Silicon Valley, bankruptcy is viewed as inevitable and necessary to innovation and experience. This attitude makes people take chances, and if they do get bankrupt, they can always go to Palo Alto and be welcomed with open arms. The land also provides education for all and scholarships so if anyone is smart enough, they can go to virtually any college and university. Obtaining citizenships for this countr...
