While I don’t “observe” Ash Wednesday (did growing up as an Episcopalian), I’m not going to poop on anyone’s parade who wishes to do it. But it has been so adulterated, as have so many Christian and pseudo-Christian practices as to have little public meaning of significance.
My understanding of the ashes is that they represent a whole lot to those who practice and observe Ash Wednesday. While the obvious is an outward sign of being repentant - and they are administered by the priest with the words you quoted (or as I remember from my youth - “Ashes to Ashes, dust to Dust”- as a reminder why we are to be humble. As what some would call a more “reformed” Christian of the Baptist faith, I believe that we should live our lives - 365 days out of the year, 24 hours a day, with the “Ash Wednesday” attitude. But I won’t begrudge someone if they choose to do it the Catholic/Anglican/etc. way.
But it also an outward sign to the word. Wearing the ashes (and not running home immediately after church to wash your forehead) is not only a sign (remember the ashes and sack cloth of the Hebrews/Jews and mourning) of repentance, but as a sign to the world. Unfortunately, when some “notable” Catholics like Pelosi or Biden wear them - they parade themselves around as if it really meant something to them. And makes it, in the public eyes, as worthless as the WWJD T-shirts and keyrings that became so popular - or even the cross worn around the neck... Just another decoration or attempt to use a Christian symbol to gain power. Which I guess goes back to my utter disgust at hypocrisy.
And as you said, folks are free to exercise their religious beliefs. It is just sad that the writer chose to be so blatant. I don’t read him talking about the execution of young girls who are raped - calling them adulterers. I don’t hear him complaining about female circumcision, or the beheadings of “infidels”...
But he feels really safe mocking folks celebrating Ashe Wednesday. Of course, when was the last time we heard about a bunch of Episcopalians (or Catholics, or Lutherans, or whatever) going on a rampage and rioting, burning cars, beheading bystanders, and other acts of violence for having their religion mocked?
In the Christian East, we begin Great Lent on a Monday (tomorrow it happens). “Pure Monday”. No ashes. I seem to recall someone rather important advising “When you fast do not disfigure your faces as the hypocrites do that their fasting might be seen by men. Truely, I tell you, they have their reward. But wash your faces. . .” We make a point of following His advice on the matter.