It is unnerving, and more than slightly disgusting. We treat another nation’s flag with respect, the respect it deserves and gets from any courteous people. Then come contemptible self-righteous people claiming that rudeness and disrespect to that flag are somehow more patriotic.

Such is the ignorance expressed by some people toward the flag display at the new Bridge of Friendship Japanese Garden in East Wenatchee. In an apparently coordinated campaign, numerous people have called East Wenatchee City Hall to complain that a Japanese flag flies over the garden, that a Japanese flag would fly at the same height as the Stars and Stripes, that a Japanese flag would fly to the U.S. flag’s left, or that a Japanese flag would receive any recognition at all in this country. There have been emotional exchanges, even suspicions of minor sabotage, with sneaky people switching the flags’ positions.

The majority of people in this region should be outraged by these complaints and sickened by the undercurrent of xenophobic stupidity that flows in our community. The facts are that the flags are displayed according to the protocol set out in U.S. law. The flags of the United States and Japan are at equal height, as they should be. The U.S. flag is to the Japanese flag’s right, or on the left as the observer faces the display, which is exactly as it should be. The flag display was cleared as proper by experts at the American Legion.

That the complainers are ignorant of flag etiquette is not surprising, considering their apparent opinion that a Japanese flag should not be allowed to fly over a Japanese garden built in part through the generosity of the Japanese people. This region has a long-standing sister-city relationship with the city of Misawa, Japan, from which we reap continuous benefits. Through the years the people of Misawa have continually shown not only their respect for the people of the United States, but have expressed their appreciation repeatedly and in many tangible ways.

We should be proud to fly the Japanese flag alongside our own, as a gesture of respect to friends and allies. People who think otherwise should be silent, for they shame us.