Veteran Found Guilty in Mexican Flag Incident

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Veteran Found Guilty in Mexican Flag Incident

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If New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has a shred of honor and patriotism, he will immediately pardon Peter Lynch.

Lynch is an Air Force veteran who, on Sept. 17, 2007, saw a Mexican Flag flying on a flag pole on the University of New Mexico campus. Seeing no American flag present, especially on Constitution Day, he notified campus officials. In turn, they chose to ignore the blatant violation of flag protocol. Lynch could not and, yesterday, a Bernalillo County jury found him guilty of a crime — criminal damage to property.

“I’m really still kind of floored that I was found guilty of a crime in America,” Lynch told The Daily Lobo. “I do think that my actions may have been slightly overzealous, but given the gravity of the situation - I was a cub scout, you know. I’ve learned when I was 7 years old how to raise and lower a flag and fold it. I feel strongly about the colors of the United States of America. That’s what it’s all about.” [Click here to read the rest of the UNM campus newspaper’s report about the matter.]

Gov. Bill RichardsonIf you think Governor Richardson should immediately erase this conviction from Lynch’s record, call him and let him know how you feel. He can be reached at the New Mexico Governor’s Office at (505) 476-2200.

-- Bob McCarty Writes