re: Solution to the disrespect for the flag...

Think of the Boston Tea Party as a protest against a very unpopular act/law/government practice. "No taxation without representation." They didn't dump tea overboard because they hated tea. They didn't do it to be disrespectful to the people who grew/harvested/brewed the tea. They exhausted all verbal and written political means to affect change and were finally driven to ACT (non violently).

If you can see this as an issue that is complicated and nuanced, then maybe you can see the connection. If you're a 1 or 0 guy, probably not. I'm sure you're a great guy in many aspects and I would definitely buy you a beer for your service to our country. I bet you didn't fight for freedom to just to make restrictions.