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Those of you from Missouri might remember back during the first Gulf War (I was about 13 at the time) how a man was arrested for burning the flag as a protest. When he was brought before the Judge to answer a summary charge of creating a public nuisance he stated that he was exercising his First Amendment rights. The Judge told him that higher courts than mine have decided that your right to burn our flag is protected as an expression of free speech, but before I dismiss this case let me give you a few words of advice. The man interrupted the Judge and told him that if he wasn't wearing that black robe he would tell him where to put that advice. The Judge said, allright, I am going to dismiss, but before I do would you like me to take off the robe and maybe we could discuss this at the gym? Not very wisely the man jumped at the chance. The court rose for lunch and the man and the judge went to discuss the matter. After lunch the Judge dismissed the case after receiving an apology from the man who seemed to have had a change of heart. When asked about it the Judge explained that his advice was given during a boxing lesson during which the man's attitude turned from surley to remarkably respectful. The story went around school and the Judge was our hero that year.
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