I think there's a confusion in many people's minds about what respect (and disrespect) really is.

In the first place, doing nothing is neither an act of respect or disrespect.

The very public and theatrical burning of a flag is not an act of respect that's for sure. It is not a passive act. It does express some sentiment or political point of view...whether the pyro wants to admit it or not. If only because like all such behaviour it is, at its core, a form of communication. And like all communication it is just as dependent upon the recipient receiving the intended "message" as the person delivering it. If flag burning is not meant as an act of disrespect, the better course would be to leave the dern flag alone!

In the second place, talking about or urging respect for traditions, culture or even other people is not the same as expressing disrespect for those who don't agree.

"Owning" or defending an issue that is not really your own, or that does not engender enough pride that you can make it wholly your own...to the point of becoming offended...sets up a situation where you are constantly on the defensive and never able to view other people's opinions dispassionately.

I have never understood the attitude that takes offense because someone else criticizes or dislikes a...what?...let's say, whisky that I like. I did not make that whisky. I don't take any personal pride in it. I do not own it nor do I feel obliged to get up in arms about it. A critque of it is just another interesting point of view.

Similarly, I am not offended by people who think I am wearing a costume because I dress in Highland attire...I am realistic...and objective...enough to call it what it is and if it is "costume," so be it. I take pride in wearing it, and what it represents and I take even greater pride in wearing it with respect.

If I were the kind of person who thought all that was nonsense ...who liked the look of the "modern" "kilt" and valued my "freedom" to thumb my nose at social convention and all those stuffy and "staunch traditionalists"... I would hope to have the objectivity and pride to disassociate myself from any notion that what I was wearing had anything at all to do with Scotland or highland attire. And I would hope that I had enough pride and objectivity to not take offense when someone else makes the same observation.

"Disrespect" is like kind of like the flu...there's enough of it going around for everybody. We don't need to become alarmed every time someone sneezes or blows their nose.

The bottom line is that if you don't want to be confronted by different points of view...or even people who disagree with you...you need to hole up indoors, never go out, and not post on forums. (and I'm sure I'll get my share here )