Do you support the amendment to ban flag burning

[NJDevil]

I just read about this for the first time today.

link to yahoo article

Apparently, this amendment has always passed the house but never the senate ... is anyone else shocked by this?

I forget the exact quotation, but someone once said, the flag stands for the ability to burn it. Well you get the idea ... Anywho, it seems that this is a blatant disregard for first amendment rights, but that's just my opinion, what do you guys think?

 

[bamacre]

No. We should have as much freedom as possible.

 

[Stunt]

Anybody who actually burns the flag is going to look like an idiot and their credibility written off.
I don't think it sould be a law, there's enough kooky laws out there which will never be enforced.

 

[cKGunslinger]

No, everyone should have the ability to burn the flag if thay want. That said, I can't possibly see any valid reason why anyone would want to do such. The irony of the "statement" is makes ("Hey, damn you, you symbol of US freedom that grants me the liberty to publicly damn you as such.") is just too delicious.

 

[Tab]

No, it doesn't really hurt anyone really. It's going to piss people off but it's not like it's a threat to the United States.

 

[CaptnKirk]

This has been brought up every couple of years for the last 40+ years.
It's an empty 'Feel-Good' lolipop peice of Conservative legislation.
It infringes on "Freedom of Speech" and if passed would be over-ruled as unconstitutional by the Supremes.

However, if a person really want's to burn the flag - they should wrap themselves up in it before ignition.

 

[Jakebrake]

Originally posted by: NJDevil

I forget the exact quotation, but someone once said, the flag stands for the ability to burn it. Well you get the idea ... Anywho, it seems that this is a blatant disregard for first amendment rights, but that's just my opinion, what do you guys think?

To ban the burning of the flag would infringe upon the very freedoms it symbolizes.

 

[EatSpam]

Waste of time...plus doesn't congress have anything better to do, like worry about steroids in baseball? :roll:

 

[Kadarin]

In addition to the implications to freedom of speech, I strongly disapprove of such an amendment because I feel that passing constitutional amendments for such stupid sh!t trivializes the Constitution.

 

[Harvey]

A flag is a symbol, and burning or otherwise damaging it can make a strong statement, but in reality, it is nothing more than fabric. No lives are lost, and nobody is injured by the act, itself.

The fact that doing it communicates strong emotion is all the more reason to allow it as non-violent freedom of expression. The first amendment has never been for wimps, to be honored only when that expression remains within our comfort zone. That is part of its strength and beauty.

 

[azazyel]

I always thought you were supposed to burn the flag if you let it touch the ground.

 

[azazyel]

My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?

Section 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide this service.


http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

 

[phantom309]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
In addition to the implications to freedom of speech, I strongly disapprove of such an amendment because I feel that passing constitutional amendments for such stupid sh!t trivializes the Constitution.

Exactly. This, the Confederate flag and prayer in schools are all examples of meaningless emotional issues our leaders throw in our faces when they don't want us to see what's really going on. Usually you don't hear about them at all until election time.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: azazyel


My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?

Section 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide this service.


http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

There a bit of a disconnect between "destroyed in a dignified way" and waving a burning flag around in the middle of the street screaming about politics.

That said, I wonder who voted yes and what their rationale is.

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: azazyel


My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?

Section 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide this service.


http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

There a bit of a disconnect between "destroyed in a dignified way" and waving a burning flag around in the middle of the street screaming about politics.

That said, I wonder who voted yes and what their rationale is.

I know but you know the law wont say, "no burning of the flag for political reason". It will just be a blanket statement thus making it illegal to dispose of a flag. While I know no one would enforce it, it is still pretty stupid.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: azazyel

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

I know but you know the law wont say, "no burning of the flag for political reason". It will just be a blanket statement thus making it illegal to dispose of a flag. While I know no one would enforce it, it is still pretty stupid.

I know it won't say that, otherwise, it might as well say "While we realize this law violates the 1st amendment, ..."

 

[jackschmittusa]

I agree that such proposals trivialize the Consttution, and am discusted that some politicians are unashamed to use the Constitution as a political toy. I would think that anyone who actually values the Constitutition would consider it out of bounds for use in personal or political gain. I conclude that anyone for this amendment either does not understand the Constitution, or considers it to be of marginal value.

 

[nutxo]

I dont support a ban.

But I wouldnt waste my urine on some idiot if he accidentally caught himself on fire while doing so.

 

[phillyTIM]

absolutely NOT - this is another blatant move for the republican regime to curtail our freedoms.

thank god, at least by this poll, that most people do not support the political aggression of the republicans.

 

[Strk]

Nope and I think what the Supreme Court said about it couldn't be any more right.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I used to but now I'm not so sure. I say no. We citizens should have the right to protest government policies by burning the flag if we want to.

 

[shira]

Once again, the Republican Congress trips over themselves rushing to prove that they have absolutely no understanding of what "freedom" means or what America stands for.

 

[RyanB18]

waste of time IMO

 

[ntdz]

I'm indifferent towards flag burning. I think it should be a right, but the people who do it make me sick.

 

[chowderhead]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
This has been brought up every couple of years for the last 40+ years.
It's an empty 'Feel-Good' lolipop peice of Conservative legislation.
It infringes on "Freedom of Speech" and if passed would be over-ruled as unconstitutional by the Supremes.

However, if a person really want's to burn the flag - they should wrap themselves up in it before ignition.

It may not be an exercise in feel-good legislation. It may pass this time.
The Republicans (along with Sen. Feinstein, et al) have always come up just a bit short in the Senate for 2/3 passage. This time however, with the addition of Burr, DeMint, Vitter, Thune, Martinez, Coburn to the Senate, it will be very very close. Burr, Demint Vitter, Thune and Coburn I think all voted for the admendment in the House so I think some replaced Senators who voted no. It may very well pass this time. article

So instead of a energy bill or passing the budget, we get Terri Schiavo law, Nuclear option showdown on fillibusters, Baseball steriods, and flag burning admendments.
It's great to see the Republicans in charge of everything because it's "hard work" to govern.