´You sleep well in your bed at night only because a few rough men are willing to do violent things
on your behalf´

George Orwell paraphrase

At 0758 AM 8/23/2002 -0500, you wrote

Dear Will,

I received your e-mail through a mutual e-mail buddy. There are just a couple of things that were left out of the article in the paper. I agree that Mr. Humphreys is doing a very patriotic thing by giving flags away. Wal-Mart seems like a good place to give away flags simply for the fact that they are an American icon. Sam Walton would have been proud to have Mr. Humphreys in front of his stores. What was left out of the article were a couple of minor little details. Mr. Humphreys had parked himself in the fire lane. Mr. Humphreys did not ask permission to solicit. There is a big sign on the front door of Wal-Mart as you enter that says "NO SOLICITING". I am positive that if Mr. Humphreys had FIRST asked for permission to distribute the flags and NOT PARKED in the FIRE LANE, he would have been welcomed gladly. I understand his patriotism. I understand that he is a senior citizen and a veteran to boot. However, rules are rules and laws are still laws. Without them we would not have the freedom that we have.

What if someone decided to pass out Moslem literature in front of Wal-Mart. They would be asked to leave. I am absolutely positive that if they asked for permission to hand out the literature or they would be turned down. I am equally as certain that if this person(s) were parked in the fire lane they would have been ticketed. It is okay to be patriotic and teach our children patriotism. However, there are folks from other countries shopping at Wal-Mart. There are people who have a chip on their shoulder and do not accept a down home individual (absolute stranger in their eyes) giving them something. We are all so afraid to be kind to one another that we cannot even share in our patriotism. Children don't really understand what the flag is all about. Heck, most Americans don't know what the flag even stands for. I don't mean to be critical about my neighbors in Dickson, but perhaps they are just a bit ignorant. Perhaps being uncomfortable boils down to not knowing how to act toward an elderly gentleman passing out flags on a Saturday afternoon.

I am so very sorry that you became so upset by this incident. If you know Mr. Humphreys, go with him to Wal-Mart and talk with the Manager. I think that some apologies are due on both sides. That is the Christian way to handle the matter. He may have to fill out a form for the home office in Bentonville for approval, but bet cha they would even donate some flags! Tell the manager that he lets Girl Scouts sell cookies in front of his store, therefore, he should let a vet pass out flags. That is a lawsuit if he doesn't!

Sincerely,

Leslie Smotherman

P.S. My father and grandfather were both vets.

RE:

Hi Leslie

A simpler solution would have been to give him permission and say thanks.

Thanks

Will

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