After 9/11, has your opinion of whether flag burning should be illegal or not changed?

[Lucky]

Has 9/11 and the added emotional signficance of what the flag stands for changed your mind about this matter if you formerly supported letting it be legal? Obviously, I know it would require an ammedment-but would you support one now if you didnt before?

 

[GasX]

My feeling on this matter is simple.

You have a right to burn the flag all you want. It is, in fact, the appropriate way to decommision an old flag. However, if you do it in public, especially in front of me, you also have a right to get your ass kicked.

 

[Lucky]

<< My feeling on this matter is simple.

You have a right to burn the flag all you want. It is, in fact, the appropriate way to decommision an old flag. However, if you do it in public, especially in front of me, you also have a right to get your ass kicked. >>





LOL.

5-0 on #4...

 

[TheBlondOne]

I do not think it should be legal to burn the American flag. Period.

Yes, maybe it is something you might call a "right," but without the nation that flag stands for you would not have that "right." Period.

So, I supported the amendment before and I support it now.


--Sarah

 

[CraigRT]

<< if you do it in public, especially in front of me, you also have a right to get your ass kicked. >>



Yep.

 

[GasX]

To further clarify my point, people who burn flags do so to provoke a reaction on a VERY touchy subject. As such, they should live with the consequences which may well be a beating. If you want to have a debate on whatever pet issue you support, then fine. If you want to burn a flag, wear some kevlar.

I am absolutely serious. You burn a flag in front of me and you will be lucky to only have my mucus sprayed accross your face.

 

[jjones]

i support flag burning in the manner that was caught on film in pakistan where the flag retaliated and burned the protester.

 

[Bulk Beef]

My opinion hasn't changed. An ammendment to ban flag burning would diminish the ideals that every flag stands for. I don't burn flags, nor would I, but the idea of a ban on it is even more offensive than the act of burning one itself.

That said, if you are inclined to burn flags, you're a d**k. I hope you read this ilksecap.

 

[Amused]

<< My opinion hasn't changed. An ammendment to ban flag burning would diminish the ideals that every flag stands for. I don't burn flags, nor would I, but the idea of a ban on it is even more offensive then the act of burning one itself.

That said, if you are inclined to burn flags, you're a d**k. I hope you read this ilksecap. >>



What he said.

I can't say this any better, so I'll steal it.

 

[Nitemare]

I would rather see an amendment that said it is ok to burn the flag, but people who retaliate against you can not be held responsible for their actions.

 

[FettsBabe]

My opinion hasn't changed. I believe it should be banned. The only exception I see is if our gov. became very corrupt such as Germany in WW2.

 

[GodBlessTheUSA]

Before or after 9/11 I never supported burning a flag in effigy. Get your point across without disrespecting your countries colors.

Burning it to retire, or decommission it, of course. As long as it's performed in a respectful manner.

You don't know how pissed I get at the people with their flag out all night without it being properly lit.

Great, if you choose to show support your country, learn the proper way to do so. Learn proper flag handling protocol.

Another thing:

How many flags do you see on cars any longer? People have a short memory span.

 

[FettsBabe]

Mwilding you said it best...and its exactly what I would do too.

Burning a flag to retire it is appropriate. Our Cub Scout Pack burned a flag at the American's Childrens Home as they asked us to perform the ceremony. They boys as well as some parents learned how a true flag burning ceremony should be performed.

 

[Amused]

Let me make a point.

Not only would a ban infringe on the freedom of expression/speech, but it would also give the government a right to dicate to you what you can, and can't do with YOUR property. If I buy a flag at my local megamart, it's MINE. A law dictating what I can and can't do with it, so long as I'm harming no one else, is ridiculous and violates the very ideals our country stands for. Such a ban would be a travesty on the right to private property, and leads to a very slippery slope.

What sacred object is next? A ban on bible burning? Pictures of various icons such as Jesus? Folks, this is NOT a road we want to travel down. Our great nation has survived for 200+ years without doing this, and will continue to thrive without it.

There are already enough laws that can be used to punish public flag burners. Open fire, inciting a riot, and theft (if they steal the flag) come to mind. There's no need to start infringing on liberties any more here.

 

[FettsBabe]

Maybe you are right Amused, but thats ok, Mwilding and I will just kick their ass.

 

[GasX]

Amused One - you make an excellent point. I am still going to spit a lungful of mucus and go after anyone doing it in front of me though. I don't believe in a ban either, but a horrendous act deserves a horrendous reaction.

While burning a bible doesn't offend me, I wouldn't exactly try real hard to protect anyone doing it from someone it did offend.


This really cuts to the heart of the political correctness issue. In a free country, you can say anything you want. However, you better be ready for the consequences.

 

[Amused]

While I legally can't support you kicking their ass, morally I can't really raise too much of an objection.

I mostly just shake my head, and marvel at the irony of it all; someone burning the very symbol of the freedoms that give them a right to protest in such a way. It's like biting the hand that feeds you, or trying to cut off your nose to spite your face.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

<< Maybe you are right Amused, but thats ok, Mwilding and I will just kick their ass. >>



I will help.

 

[Electric Amish]

Wow, I'm in the majority. That's a first.

It's not that I'm not patriotic. It just bothers me that everyone wastes all this energy on this topic when there are many more important things to worry about. In the end, it's still a freakin' piece of cloth.

amish

 

[FettsBabe]

<< While I legally can't support you kicking their ass, morally I can't really raise too much of an objection >>



Exactly, and there is not a jury in the world that will convinct me

The Flag Club is up to three members at the present time....Mwilding, me and Steve.

 

[skace]

I voted #4, because the flag is just a symbol. If people didn't get so damned uptight about a burning flag, no one would friggen do it. But I guess people can't figure that out.

Let me ask you this, Why would a Pakistanian burn an American flag? Because they know it causes a ton of people to flip out, bitch, moan, kick dirt, get mad, and cry for justice. Why? You think they would continue burning flags if everytime they did, the press didn't even find it worthy enough to take a picture of?

Basically, I don't make the sort of connection that flag = nation. A country is a country, a flag is a flag. All a flag is for is to show which side your on during a battle and to lay claim to territory.

"Yes, maybe it is something you might call a "right," but without the nation that flag stands for you would not have that "right." Period.
So, I supported the amendment before and I support it now."

I don't understand this view point, care to explain? Without the nation you wouldn't have that right, but you support banning the right. So you don't agree with the nation then?

Besides, if they banned flags it would give people a reason to do it 10x as much and it would be 10x as hard to regulate. Maybe they could give up the war on drugs for the war on flag burning?

 

[vi edit]

Which is more "anti-American"?

Burning a flag, or preventing someone from burning a flag?

One is expressing an opinion, the other is preventing someone from expressing that opinion. The latter seems more of a serious infringement to our rights than the former.

That said, if you need to burn a flag to get someones attention, you're simply an idiot who cannot find an intelligent manner to get your point across and if you get your ass kicked because of it, I'm not coming to your aid.

 

[guyver01]

I do not support flag burning, but i also do NOT support an ammendment to ban it.

I don't think one would ever get enacted either... as incineration is the ONLY method approved to get rid of old tattered worn flags.

 

[Elledan]

I still think it's an irrelevant issue.

 

[Balt]

<<i support flag burning in the manner that was caught on film in pakistan where the flag retaliated and burned the protester>>