Hillary Clinton opposes free speech, supports unconstitutional bill

[TechBear_Seattle]

From Newsday:

Sen. Clinton co-sponsors anti-flag burning law

December 5, 2005, 10:44 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is supporting new legislation to criminalize desecration of the United States flag _ though she still opposes a constitutional ban on flag attacks.

Clinton, D-N.Y., has agreed to co-sponsor a measure by Republican Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah, which has been written in hopes of surviving any constitutional challenge following a 2003 Supreme Court ruling on the subject.

Her support of Bennett's bill follows her position in Congress last summer, when a constitutional ban on flag-burning was debated. Clinton said then she didn't support a constitutional ban, but did support federal legislation making it a crime to desecrate the flag.

In her public statements, she has compared the act of flag-burning to burning a cross, which can be considered a violation of federal civil rights law.

The Bennett-sponsored measure outlaws a protester intimidating any person by burning the flag, lighting someone else's flag, or desecrating the flag on federal property.

The first item of the bill, outlawing a protester intimidating any person by burning a flag, is redundant: the courts have long held that speech meant to threaten or intimidate is not protected. There is also the question of whether such a law oversteps the very firm boundaries set by the Article I, Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution, which carefully lays out what Congress can and can not do.

The second item of the bill, outlawing the lighting of someone else's flag, is also redundant, as it amounts to theft and vandalism, crimes that are already outlawed under local and state statute. It likewises seems to fail with regards to the scope of Congress' power.

The third item of the bill, outlawing the "desecration" of the flag on federal property, is within the scope of Congress' power but is clearly not constitutional.

And anyway, why would she co-sponsor a law that does the same thing as the constitutional amendment she refuses to support? Which is the real Hillary Clinton? If she is willing to co-sponsor federal legislation that limits established civil rights, what can we expect from her as President?

[Double T]

1. I can burn or shred my OWN USA FLAG and I will NOT violate

the proposed legislation.

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. But if you were, say, on the National Mall or other federal propery?

According to the quotes in the news article, you would be committing a crime even if it were your own flag.

[endarkenment]

6. Not really.

If somebody finds your doing so provocative and intimidating: off to jail with you.

If you do so within the boundaries of the district of colombia: hard time.

The law is stupid. The law is unconstitutional. Hillary is pandering to right wing extremists.

[Double T]

9. I don't think Hillary should pander to right wing, left wing or.....

any kind of extremists. If the law is unconstitutional, then let's see what the SCOTUS is made of!!!!!!!

[endarkenment]

10. They have already done just that. eom.

[In Truth We Trust]

2. She is didn't support it before she did support it- sound familiar? DLC BS

She doesn't care about what USED TO BE her base. Moving right should be her downfall. I hate the dlc enablers and sadly she is one. Voted for the war and it's continuation. Where is she on evoting and honest elections. Too busty pandering to the right. I guess she thinks she's got 08 locked up already.

Fuck off Hillary- you sellout!

[PunkPop]

3. Oh thank GOODNESS.

She has moved on from video game violence to another urgent matter facing the country.

Hey Hill, check the polls! 60% want our troops out of Iraq. There's an issue that could curry favor with the public and do something truly useful for the country.

[endarkenment]

7. no shit.

perhaps next week Hillary will join in with the war to save christmas from us libruls.

[jrthin]

5. I started a post earlier

asking NY DUers to call her office and vent their frustration with her policies. I've asked to be removed from her mailing list because I've had it with her.

[Call me Deacon Blues]

8. If you needed any proof that Hillary was running for President

there it is. The ambition to be President has ruined many a better person's judgement. But she lost my vote a while ago when she went to the Joementum side of the force.

[drduffy]

11. Hey Hillary......

You are worthless piece of crap. No integrity. Simply a pawn for the corporatists. If they can't control us through a 'talking to God' right wing nut case' , they'll control us through a faux liberal manipulator. And geeze.... how obvious can you get?

[EdwardM]

12. So she supports the war and oppeses freedom of speech.

New York is one of the most liberal states in the union. Why don't they kick her out and elect a real democrat?

[newyawker99]

13. Hi EdwardM!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: