More than a Flag

Yesterday, I was made aware of a video by Lil Douchebag...I mean Lil Wayne, in which he quite literally stomps all over the American Flag. I looked up the still shots, as my incensed state of mind would not allow me to objectively view the video without going on a rampage and probably ending up in the psych ward. Given time to cool off, I watched part of the video today, only part because I literally could not stomach any more than the few seconds I watched.
Today, he posted an "apology" of sorts in which he stated that he "never intended to desecrate the Flag" and how the final edit "never shows the Flag on the ground" and he went off into some distorted monologue about the "hood" that had absolutely no relevance to his quite intentional desecration of my Flag. He stated that what was seen in the video is a "camera trick."
First, an analysis of the "apology" clearly shows that he fails to see the fault in his action. Second, it shows that he is not sorry for said actions, only that they were seen. Third, every action in the video was deliberate, from the dropping of the flag, to him stepping on it...repeatedly, to him clearly looking down at it and continuing to step on it. This "apology" inherently amounts to nothing. An apology is an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and an effort to prevent a repeat. Last time I had to go to court for my wrongdoing, the lawyer wanted to play up my military service, deployment, awards, etc., and I refused. He, in turn, related that to the judge and I was asked why. My answer was simple. I told him that the first and most important thing you learn in the Army was responsibility for your actions. My military service had nothing to do with the fact that I broke the law. I made a mistake, I broke the law. Nothing more, nothing less. I did not try to justify it or excuse it or talk about what "hood" I'm from...cuz...yeah...Bridle Ln and York County is really the "hood."
There has been much "support" for him, ranging from people calling those who have a problem with it "haters" to people ignorantly and irrelevantly stating that "it doesn't matter what he does, he's still rich as f***." Despite the resources and materials available on the internet, it seems to have simply made people even more ignorant than they previously were, and given them an outlet for that ignorance. Many have even stated that everyone "needs to chill, it's just a flag," or "it's just a piece of fabric." There are also those who call for everyone to understand the "meaning" of the "lyrics" in his so called "song."
On that end, I want to say that REGARDLESS of your intentions and/or meaning, what you DO speaks infinitely louder than what you SAY. That is a lesson my mother taught me from a very young age, one it took me a long time to fully grasp. But she was right. Even if his "lyrics" do have some meaningful embodiment, his actions trample all over that message, much like he did with the Flag. In any aspect of life, you cannot have your actions and words go separate ways and expect anyone to believe/understand/respect your message. The action and the word MUST, under all circumstances, match. 
In regards to the Flag itself, United States Flag Code states that the Flag must NEVER be dropped, dipped, or in any way lowered to anyone or anything. The Flag must never be stretched upon the ground, it must never touch anything lower than itself. It must never be worn as clothing; the only exemption being during certain circumstances, like the Olympics, where certain individuals who are representatives of the country are draped in the Flag upon winning an event. The Flag is not "just a flag or piece of fabric." It is a symbol. It is a beacon. It is a standard. It is the symbol that identifies us and unites us. It is the symbol we as a country look to in our darkest hour. It is a symbol that long and bloody wars were fought to obtain and retain. For those who truly love their country, *notice I said country, NOT government,* it is a symbol of pride. It is a symbol for which countless lives have been lost. Personally, of all the symbols I have known, it is the one that is nearest and dearest to my heart.
As a veteran, as someone who has shed precious blood, sweat, and many many tears while serving under that Flag, I cannot help but be sickened at the thought, let alone the sight, of someone treading upon my Flag. To tread upon it is to tread upon the graves of all those lost so we could have it. To disrespect and desecrate it is to disrespect and desecrate every life and sacrifice lost and made for its existence. Regardless of the failures of politicians, government, and elected "leaders," it remains a symbol of what we should stand for, what we should strive for, what we should wish to be. To let it fall is to let every American hope, dream, and success fall as well. It is not "just a flag." Every true Patriot's heart beats for that Flag. As was said long ago, "It is not the wind that moves the Flag, but the last breath of every patriot who has died under it."