Burning of the American flag

[SFC]

This is our American flag, some of fought for this American flag, we celecrate with it on numerous holidays, it is a ICON of our freedom. When I see this on the news it just pisses me off to no end, and what is worse it is now protected by OUR First Amendment. Is this right? Hell No!!

Federal Flag Desecration Law (1968):

In 1968, Congress passed the Federal Flag Desecration Law in response to a Central Park event in which peace activists burned American flags in protest against the Vietnam War. The law banned any display of "contempt" directed against the flag, but did not address the other issues dealt with by state flag desecration laws.

Senate Rejects Flag Desecration Amendment

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Senate rejected by a single vote yesterday an effort to amend the Constitution to allow Congress to ban desecration of the American flag, after a two-day debate freighted with political calculations and sharp disputes over the limits of free speech.

The 66 to 34 vote fell just short of the two-thirds majority required to approve a constitutional amendment and submit it to the states for ratification. It marked the latest setback for congressional attempts to supersede Supreme Court decisions in 1989 and 1990. Justices narrowly ruled that burning and other desecrations of the flag are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.

As expected, three Republicans -- Robert F. Bennett (Utah), Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.) and Mitch McConnell (Ky.) -- voted against the amendment. Fourteen Democrats voted for it. The House approved the measure 286 to 130 last year.

Is nothing sacred in the USA any longer? What's next open hunting on the Bald Eagle?

 

[Doc Mustang]

We are a country founded on sedition. An entire nation born of rebellion against their lawful government. Now the concieted residents of this new nation dare to speak against the very spirit of protest that gave it birth? Tragic.

Any law which forbids the desecration of a national symbol for the sole reason that it is a national symbol, forbids free speech and the sort of speech which ought to be the most protected, namely political speech. It is the basest form of tyranny.

I would never personally choose to burn the flag, fly it upside down or show it any form of disrespect.

However, the republic it represents enshrines individual liberty, and the rights of a free people to disagree publicly, with the powers that the same free people elected to govern them.

I have not served this nation in uniform for nearly 18 years so that other people will believe the way that I do. That is the heart of a tyrant. I have served so that others may believe the way they choose, right or wrong, so long as they harm none. That is the heart of a free soul calling others to be the same.

 

[Phillip Gain]

We are a country founded on sedition. An entire nation born of rebellion against their lawful government. Now the concieted residents of this new nation dare to speak against the very spirit of protest that gave it birth? Tragic.

Any law which forbids the desecration of a national symbol for the sole reason that it is a national symbol, forbids free speech and the sort of speech which ought to be the most protected, namely political speech. It is the basest form of tyranny.

I would never personally choose to burn the flag, fly it upside down or show it any form of disrespect.

However, the republic it represents enshrines individual liberty, and the rights of a free people to disagree publicly, with the powers that that same free people elected to govern them.

I have not served this nation in uniform for nearly 18 years so that other people will believe the way that I do. That is the heart of a tyrant. I have served so that others may believe the way they choose to right or wrong so long as they harm none. That is the heart of a free soul calling others to be the same.

Well said. If we allow the a-holes to act like a-holes...at least then we know who the a-holes are.

 

[Glockdude]

I have mixed feelings here. I understand you do have the right to burn it, but imo its such a disrespect u need thrown outta the country, or at the very least your teeth bashed in. Just because you can burn it doesnt mean you should, if u dont like it leave

 

[mnccwer]

^^ "Doc Mustang" +1

In my opinion, the real travesty is that so many voted to pass it...

As stated above, I also would never choose to desecrate the flag. But if others feel strongly enough to do so, I believe it is their right.

 

[tattedupboy]

The flag is a symbol of our country and over the years, millions have made the ultimate sacrifice defending what it represents. Anyone who disrepects the flag is basically spitting on the gaves of everyone who has ever fought and died for this country.

However, the act of burning the flag (or stomping on it, spitting on it, flying it upside down or anything else that uber patriots consider disrespectful) harms no one. No one's life, liberty, or property is jeopardized as a result of flag desecration and for that reason, it should not be criminalized. Besides, how exactly does it benefit society to arrest a flag desecrator?

 

[PROUD MILITARY POLICEMAN]

as much as i diagree with burning the flag we can't pick and choose which laws we like and dont like. that doesnt mean that i probably wouldnt step in if i saw somebody burning a flag!!

 

[trophyhunter]

The only time I would burn a Flag is when it is worn out or touches the ground

 

[the dark]

It is only in totalitarian regimes or monarchies that symbols become sacred. I did not serve to defend a piece of cloth but the freedom to express dissent.

 

[SFC]

Well said by all, and thank God we live in a country that has the Constitution that does preserve our freedoms

I too served in the US Army and do not regret it. I believe I was preserving all of our rights not just certain Amendments That are important to my interests. As long as we stay free and tell all the foreign countries trying to change the USA they can kiss my ass.

 

[mappow]

This is our American flag, some of fought for this American flag, we celecrate with it on numerous holidays, it is a ICON of our freedom. When I see this on the news it just pisses me off to no end, and what is worse it is now protected by OUR First Amendment. Is this right? Hell No!!

Federal Flag Desecration Law (1968):

In 1968, Congress passed the Federal Flag Desecration Law in response to a Central Park event in which peace activists burned American flags in protest against the Vietnam War. The law banned any display of "contempt" directed against the flag, but did not address the other issues dealt with by state flag desecration laws.

Senate Rejects Flag Desecration Amendment

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Senate rejected by a single vote yesterday an effort to amend the Constitution to allow Congress to ban desecration of the American flag, after a two-day debate freighted with political calculations and sharp disputes over the limits of free speech.

The 66 to 34 vote fell just short of the two-thirds majority required to approve a constitutional amendment and submit it to the states for ratification. It marked the latest setback for congressional attempts to supersede Supreme Court decisions in 1989 and 1990. Justices narrowly ruled that burning and other desecrations of the flag are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.

As expected, three Republicans -- Robert F. Bennett (Utah), Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.) and Mitch McConnell (Ky.) -- voted against the amendment. Fourteen Democrats voted for it. The House approved the measure 286 to 130 last year.

Is nothing sacred in the USA any longer? What's next open hunting on the Bald Eagle?

Please direct you posts to the appropriate Category in the future. THIS IS a General Firearms discussion arena. Whilst I agree on not degrading our Flag. I would be posting this on the political forum. Thanks for the understanding.

 

[cmhbob]

Doc spoke well, and I agree with him. Or in the words of Voltaire, I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it. It isn't just "nice" speech that needs to be protected. It is specifically this kind of speech, and speech from Westboro Baptist that needs to be protected, specifically because it is offensive, because offensive is a moving target. Do the same things that offended you when you were younger offend you now? Does everything that offends you also offend me? Or Doc Mustang? If not, how do we decide whose feelings are more important?

You don't have to burn or destroy the flag when it touches the ground. You're actually allowed to wash it. You only need to destroy it when it's too worn-out to be repaired.

And a funeral home in Pennsylvania has offered a Link Removed and honor a veteran at the same time.

 

[Seeya]

The flag is a symbol of our country and over the years, millions have made the ultimate sacrifice defending what it represents. Anyone who disrepects the flag is basically spitting on the gaves of everyone who has ever fought and died for this country.

However, the act of burning the flag (or stomping on it, spitting on it, flying it upside down or anything else that uber patriots consider disrespectful) harms no one. No one's life, liberty, or property is jeopardized as a result of flag desecration and for that reason, it should not be criminalized. Besides, how exactly does it benefit society to arrest a flag desecrator?

These two SCOTUS opinions:
Mugler v. Kansas 123 U.S. 623, 659-60.
"Our system of government, based upon the individuality and intelligence
of the Citizen, the state does not claim to control him, except as his
conduct to others, leaving him the sole judge as to all that only affects
himself."

(see Christy v. Elliot, 216 Ill. 31, 74 NE 1035; Cal v. Farley, 98 Cal.
09,
20 CA 3d 1032; Mich. v. Duke, 266 US 576, 69, 449.)
State police power extends only to immediate threats to public safety,
health, and welfare.

 

[Iam2Taz]

Like several others I am torn, but understand the indivual rights.

I guess, until I am in the presence of someone doing the act I can't say how I will react.

Hopefully, I will be able to contain my self and act with truth and grace.

 

[SFC]

please direct you posts to the appropriate category in the future. This is a general firearms discussion arena. Whilst i agree on not degrading our flag. I would be posting this on the political forum. Thanks for the understanding.

wilco

 

[weekendskp]

You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Andrew Shepherd "The American President - 1995

I love that quote.

 

[SFC]

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government" Thomas Jefferson

 

[Axeanda45]

The flag is a symbol of our country and over the years, millions have made the ultimate sacrifice defending what it represents. Anyone who disrepects the flag is basically spitting on the gaves of everyone who has ever fought and died for this country.

However, the act of burning the flag (or stomping on it, spitting on it, flying it upside down or anything else that uber patriots consider disrespectful) harms no one. No one's life, liberty, or property is jeopardized as a result of flag desecration and for that reason, it should not be criminalized. Besides, how exactly does it benefit society to arrest a flag desecrator?

This is a great post EXCEPT the part in red..... I highly disagree with that part..... That is just YOUR OPINION....., not a fact. I do , however, respect your right to have that opinion.

 

[kelcarry]

If the current President of the US can ignore the Constitution, ignore Congress, and ignore the Supreme Court as he cavorts around his vacation haunts and golf courses and campaign stops as the emperor with no clothes, on our tax money no less, the least we should worry about is what happens to our flag.

 

[robfrommaine]

Our Bill of Rights also protects those nut-job protesters who totally disrespect faith, families and the military at the funerals of fallen soldiers. That's a bitter pill...