A burning question about the flag. Which is worse?

[techs]

One thing I don't understand about the flag burning question. For people that are for a constitutional amendment against burning the flag. Shoud displaying the Confederate flag also be outlawed? Seems that burning the flag is execising your right to free speech while displaying a Confederate flag is expressing support for an armed insurrection.
Also, should a flag burning amendment include the prohibition of wearing a flag on your clothes if displayed in a "disrepectful" manner (like wearing it on your butt)?

 

[bdude]

People can display whatever flag they want, and burn whatever flag they want.

 

[raildogg]

Burning the American flag is a great thing and I salute any American who does it!

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Burning the American flag is a great thing and I salute any American who does it!

 

[ZeGermans]

diplaying a confederate flag is no different than me (german heritage) displaying a nazi flag.

Sure, I can claim it symbolizes struggle against an unfair treaty and a great recovery from a terrible depression, but we all know it means I hate jews. Same with confed flags. You can claim it's part of your heritage of a great struggle for states rights... but deep down inside, it just means you're a racist.

 

[Steeplerot]

It's awfully strange that everyone on the whacked out civil war confederate flag collecting (proudly displaying) trip I have met has had memorabilia of said 1930-40s era german military stuff in their collection also.

 

[Dissipate]

I see no problem with burning the U.S. flag. To me, the U.S. flag is a symbol of statism, pure and simple.

In fact, the 'United States' (which is what the U.S. flag represents) literally means 'United Governments.' People conflate this on an overwhelming number of occasions with 'America.'

America != United States. America is a piece of land in which Americans dwell. The United States is a conglomerate of 'united' governments (whatever that is).

Additionally, one will see those who make up the 'government' displaying this flag.

Hence, to me this flag does not represent anything good. Burn it until the cows come home for all I care.

 

[kogase]

I find it funny that southerners feel the need to tout their heritage with the Confederate flag, as if their bad smell, grating accent, and general stupidity weren't enough to clue everybody in.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Dissipate
I see no problem with burning the U.S. flag. To me, the U.S. flag is a symbol of statism, pure and simple.

In fact, the 'United States' (which is what the U.S. flag represents) literally means 'United Governments.' People conflate this on an overwhelming number of occasions with 'America.'

America != United States. America is a piece of land in which Americans dwell. The United States is a conglomerate of 'united' governments (whatever that is).

Additionally, one will see those who make up the 'government' displaying this flag.

Hence, to me this flag does not represent anything good. Burn it until the cows come home for all I care.

You are totally missing the point. Approval (or not) for flag burning doesn't come from a like or a dislike of what you think the flag stands for. Indeed, that is the entire point. America means I think you have the right to burn the flag, even though I strongly disagree with how you view it.

 

[earthman]

Funny, the same people who want to outlaw burning the flag never seen to have a problem with burning crosses......

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: kogase
I find it funny that southerners feel the need to tout their heritage with the Confederate flag, as if their bad smell, grating accent, and general stupidity weren't enough to clue everybody in.

There are a lot of great things about the south, but that flag represents the worst. And southerners can make the argument that it stands for the good things all they want, but all it takes is a little understanding of history to remember what it really stands for. ZeGermans is right, being proud of your heritage does not mean you should choose a symbol a mark of the worst things about your culture of your people. Germans embracing the swastika and the Nazi party, the Irish glorifying the IRA, Muslims cheering the terrorists, and southerners flying the confederate flag all amount to the same thing.

 

[Captante]

You are totally missing the point. Approval (or not) for flag burning doesn't come from a like or a dislike of what you think the flag stands for. Indeed, that is the entire point. America means I think you have the right to burn the flag, even though I strongly disagree with how you view it.[/quote]

I 100% agree with you, even if I don't much like flag burning personally, its your right as an American to do it.

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: kogase
I find it funny that southerners feel the need to tout their heritage with the Confederate flag, as if their bad smell, grating accent, and general stupidity weren't enough to clue everybody in.

If I were a southerner, I'd probably tell you to kiss my ass. But I'm not, so I won't.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: kogase
I find it funny that southerners feel the need to tout their heritage with the Confederate flag, as if their bad smell, grating accent, and general stupidity weren't enough to clue everybody in.

If I were a southerner, I'd probably tell you to kiss my ass. But I'm not, so I won't.

As a southerner, I can tell you I have no desire to tell me to kiss your ass.

 

[raildogg]

What the hell does the Confederate flag have anything to do with the Nazis? Many people associate it with being simply different or just going against the mainstream. There are Europeans who wear it! There are Asians who wear it! (Or have it somewhere)

I've seen northerners showing it. The confederate flag does not carry the same meaning to every person. The young people who wear it or own it do not do so because they are racist, they are just going against the mainstream or whatever. Many have it to show redneck pride. Also to many people, it symbolizes America.

People make dumb comments about the South, especially on this forum, without even thinking.

 

[Proletariat]

Originally posted by: raildogg
What the hell does the Confederate flag have anything to do with the Nazis? Many people associate it with being simply different or just going against the mainstream. There are Europeans who wear it! There are Asians who wear it! (Or have it somewhere)

I've seen northerners showing it. The confederate flag does not carry the same meaning to every person. The young people who wear it or own it do not do so because they are racist, they are just going against the mainstream or whatever. Many have it to show redneck pride. Also to many people, it symbolizes America.

People make dumb comments about the South, especially on this forum, without even thinking.

 

[Polish3d]

Originally posted by: earthman
Funny, the same people who want to outlaw burning the flag never seen to have a problem with burning crosses......

Most out of proportion statement of the evening.


Anyway I see no valid reason for a law prohibiting flag burning, even though it tends to irk me. I would oppose such a law (strongly oppose)

 

[Cerb]

I think both are perfectly fine. Freedom of speech. While I disagree about money being speech, anything else that does not harm another person should be allowed (to affend is not to harm, BTW).

 

[IronWing]

I used to display a Confederate flag. It had a picture of Elvis in the center.

 

[judasmachine]

whats worse is a country that tells people how they can and cannot express themselves. their both just rags, and displaying them or burning them just makes you look silly. i'm happy with those doing it looking silly, but i am very happy with a society that allows them the freedom to look silly.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: raildogg
What the hell does the Confederate flag have anything to do with the Nazis? Many people associate it with being simply different or just going against the mainstream. There are Europeans who wear it! There are Asians who wear it! (Or have it somewhere)

I've seen northerners showing it. The confederate flag does not carry the same meaning to every person. The young people who wear it or own it do not do so because they are racist, they are just going against the mainstream or whatever. Many have it to show redneck pride. Also to many people, it symbolizes America.

People make dumb comments about the South, especially on this forum, without even thinking.

It's obvious why, the same reason the southern confederate types support a family of nazi-sympathizers in office curently, birds of a feather you know.