My 2 cents on the flag burning amendment.

[William769]

I just don't get it. The American flag never has and never will represent a political party. It represents our Country (to me it represents what this Country was founded on).

I just don't understand why any American would want to burn our flag. If you don't like what the Government is doing fine, make a blowup doll of the person or persons you don't like and burn it. The American flag means so much to so many different people IMHO it should be revered & honored. America has had it's dark moments and it surly will again, but America has also had it great moments and will continue to do so again. America is built on the idea of freedom, thats why so many people want to come here legally and illegally. America is a beacon of hope, always has been and always will be.

May the American flag stand tall during our triumphs, our sorrow, and our blackest hours.

As a American citizen, I will defend your right to burn the American flag although it would fill me with sorrow, that is what America is all about.

Just remember when you burn the flag you are not hurting anyone but America itself.

ON EDIT: spelling

[coalition_unwilling]

1. One reason to burn an American flag: to retire it from service. (n/t)

[William769]

4. I stand corrected, I took that as a given.

[KyuzoGator]

2. But U.S. reported flag burning incidents increased by 33% last year!

There were four reports as opposed to three the previous year.

[babylonsister]

3. Eeek! The horror! nt

[KyuzoGator]

6. It's obviously a constitutional crisis. nt

[PA Democrat]

11. Wait! Here's another incidence of horrifying flag desecration.

[RagingInMiami]

5. But the flag is a symbol

And the Constitution is real. Why is there never an outcry when the Constitution is written off as nothing but "a goddamn piece of paper."

This administration has done nothing but wipe its' ass with the constitution; from holding prisoners without charging them, to eavesdropping on citizens, to mixing religion with politics.

But most Americans don't give a shit about all that. But you burn the flag and suddenly you have an uproar. It drives me insane.

[William769]

10. Has this Administration run this Country for the past 200 plus Years?

This has always been by stance on the American Flag and always will be. This is coming from a 2nd class citizen.

[RagingInMiami]

22. I don't understand what you're getting at

The Constitution is almost as old as the flag, but it is a lot more sacred. It is what defines this country. It is what separates us from other countries. It is what guarantees us the rights that we take for granted, which in my opinion, includes burning the damn flag.

So yes, burning the flag may offend many Americans, but that is what freedom of expression is all about. The right to express yourself no matter whom it may offend.

It's what gives the KKK and neonazis the right to march in black neighborhoods. It is what gives some idiots the right to say the Holocaust never existed. It is what gave Fred Phelps the right to proclaim that "God hates fags" at military funerals, even though they're trying to strip that right from him.

I don't agree with any of those people I mentioned in the above paragraph, but I do support their First Amendment Rights.

I cherish my right to drive around with an "Impeach Bush" sticker. I cherish my right to look at a federal officer in the eye and say that Bush stole two elections. And I cherish my right to burn the American flag, even though I never had the urge until now.

[Mandate My Ass]

7. "America is built on the idea of freedom"

and freedom of speech is one of the most important freedoms there is.

Burning the flag is an expression of speech, as the courts have said, and of course it's speech that's offensive to some that needs the most protection.

The flag is merely a symbol, and it has been co-opted egregiously by an administration that has done more than any other to infringe upon the freedoms of John Q. Citizen.

[coalition_unwilling]

9. Personally, I think the American flag is offensive aesthetically (like

fingernails scratching down a chalkboard).

[Mojambo]

14. Exactly

The flag means nothing if the principles behind it are compromised.

[Fox Mulder]

8. America is about the Constitution, not the flag.

[W_HAMILTON]

12. I couldn't care less, really

Will I ever burn a flag? Most likely not.

Do I care if someone else does? No, not really.

You can't really have it both ways. We all love to talk about the freedoms we have, and how people died fighting for those freedoms; and yet, it seems like every day there is something you hear about stripping away those freedoms.

To me, burning the flag is no different than speaking out against the president. It's a form of expression. If you take away one expression, where do you stop? I don't like the slippery slope argument, but I feel its a valid one here. Who's to say we shouldn't outlaw speaking out against the president in a time of war?

If we want to continue to boast about how we are the "land of the free," we might want to stop placing so many restrictions on what we can do when it comes to stuff like this.

[Lars39]

13. The citizens of the US are hurting right now.

Will the amendment feed the hungry, bring the troops home, provide medical care or jobs?
Will the amendment take care of the aged or infirm or children?
Will the amendment ensure that we all have the same rights?

[rurallib]

15. Flag worship didn't start until the 1890s

for the most part. There had been brief spikes, but the flag wasn't much of a big deal until the 1890s. Why? Because there was an influx of lesser human types like the Irish and southeastern Europeans. Had to stand up at that time!
Uh, gee, that's when my ancestors came over. And that's where they came from. And I don't give two shits about a flag ammendment. I do care about free speech though.

[Johonny]

16. I'll care about this when

the morans voting for it can wear a American flag pin with the correct number of stars and strips on it.

[Lex]

17. " If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment . . . "

. . . it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. Punishing desecration of the flag dilutes the very freedom that makes this emblem so revered, and worth revering." --Justice Brennan

[William769]

19. Am I speaking in a foreign language?

It seems to me people think I support this amendment. Where did I say that? If people read my whole post they would see that I defend there right to burn the flag I just give my reasons why i think they shouldn't.

[Lex]

23. "I just don't understand why any American would want to burn our flag."

You don't have to understand. You don't have to agree with it.

That was the point of the quote I posted!

[jimshoes]

18. Its just step 1

The next time it will be making fun of CIC. The next step will be publishing disparaging remarks about the CIC. The next time you will be shot. We really seem to be repeating a time in history that should have been left in the past.

[bleedingheart]

20. destroying the Constitution of the United States is a crime

burning a flag is destroying cloth.

The flag is just a symbol...and a symbol cheapened by rampant commercialism.

The Constitution is a living and breathing document that represents our great nation. I wish more people defended it than flag burning.

[trixie]

21. The point is the freedom to burn a symbol

You may never, ever want to burn the flag but you should always have the freedom to burn the symbol. Maybe Georgie boy makes himself dictator. Would that symbol have the same meaning for you? Shouldn't you have the freedom to destroy a symbol that you don't feel portrays your ideals?

How about making the flag into clothing? To me it is the same thing. The day you CAN'T burn the flag is the day you no longer live in the United States of America.