Flag Burning Amendment

[daniel]

See linked article from CNN

Basically, the House of Reps has passed a proposed amendment which would outlaw 'desecrating' the American 'flag'. The resolution is one sentence that reads, "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

Notice that desecration is not defined, nor is flag. While I respect the flag and especially the ideas it symbolizes, I more highly respect the 1st Amendment right to free speech. I'm not going to go around burning flags or tongue-lashing our government, but I fully respect someone else's right to do just that in a peaceful, non-violent manner. As long as the fire is contained and no people or buildings are in harm's way, then I believe that protesters should retain the right to burn a flag. It's one of the last things you'd ever find me doing, but to take it away would be a chip away at the Bill of Rights. I shudder to think what could come later, shudder to think of a society where blogs and websites have to be registered and if they are derogatory to the government then they are shut down. *cough*China*/cough*

What are your thoughts?

[Punk19]

You've gotta be kidding me. Burning a flag?!? What is going through the ones that do it, head?


*~Leprechaun~*

[kitsunex]

What does this mean?

Its mandatory to fly the stupid flag?

[</Storm>]

Burning a flag is the only "proper" way to get rid of one.

[kitsunex]

What Arian Crass said is true.

[bryant]

It might pass, but I don't think it would last long. Organizations such as the ACLU would file lawsuits and it would go straight to the US Supreme Court.

[ryndell]

Can You even Imagine How many people Have died Defending what the Flag Represents.To burn such a thing ... is to disrepect those who have died defending it .It is a disgrace to burn what the flag Symbolizes, and it Should be against the Law to do so .

[daniel]

kitsunex said:

What does this mean?

Its mandatory to fly the stupid flag?

It means that Congress is in the process of adding an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit 'desecration' of the 'flag'. The terms in '' haven't been expounded upon in the proposed amendment, that would be left to Congress.

For the proposed amendment to become law and a part of the Constitution, it still has to be approved by 2/3 of the Senate and also 2/3 of the States through popular vote in each state. Passing 2/3 of the Senate means it would go on the ballot for popular vote, usually in the next national general election, November 2006. If it passed the Senate and was ratified by 2/3 of the states, it is added into the Constitution and carries the force of the highest law in the land.

[daniel]

snapfu said:

It might pass, but I don't think it would last long. Organizations such as the ACLU would file lawsuits and it would go straight to the US Supreme Court.

That's the problem, if it's added to the Constitution and is clearly worded then there is no recourse except to pass another amendment to remove it (as they did with prohibition, amendments 18 & 21 respectively).

[Inkjet]

If I want to burn the American flag, I'm going to feel free too. Especially if I spent my own money buying it. Idiots, that's what they all are.

[</Storm>]

ryndell said:

Can You even Imagine How many people Have died Defending what the Flag Represents.To burn such a thing ... is to disrepect those who have died defending it .It is a disgrace to burn what the flag Symbolizes, and it Should be against the Law to do so .

Even though the only proper way to get rid of one is to burn it, as dictated by national law?

[Inkjet]

ryndell said:

Can You even Imagine How many people Have died Defending what the Flag Represents.To burn such a thing ... is to disrepect those who have died defending it .It is a disgrace to burn what the flag Symbolizes, and it Should be against the Law to do so .

No my friend. They were fighting for America, and its beliefs, not a silly little flag.

A flag doesn't represent a country, the people do.

[Enchant]

see that makes no sense to me....we can throw a flag into the trash but we cant burn it....and it takes away from our freedom of choice. and I have alot of respect for the flag, but I have more respect for what it was suppost to represent. some times they can be real d/a in govt.

[daniel]

stormx said:

ryndell said:

Can You even Imagine How many people Have died Defending what the Flag Represents.To burn such a thing ... is to disrepect those who have died defending it .It is a disgrace to burn what the flag Symbolizes, and it Should be against the Law to do so .

Even though the only proper way to get rid of one is to burn it, as dictated by national law?

We're talking about the abusive burning or destruction of the flag, not the ceremonial burning.

There's not a large controversy about that, but there is regarding the freedom of speech to burn a symbol that offends you.

[ryndell]

The only way a flag ever should be burned is if it hits the ground in battle.That is the only way that is ever remotely close to moral.Inkjet You have it wrong .The symbol of the Flage speak a heck of alot louder then you will ever know .The American Flag Means more to americans then just it being cloth .So Yes it represents the Nation in its own way .Anyone who burns an American flag ... That has not fallen in battle .Should be held accountable for said action .