Dameon: I only stated in brief summery, my beliefs concerning the issue of flag burning. I hadn't even read these "posts from the great beyond..". I simply read the topic, clicked it and posted my message after reading 10-15 replies.
Red Dawn:
<< Those men and women fought and died so we could have freedom of speech and thought, even if what you are saying or doing is thought to be disrespectful. There is no need to punish those who burn the flag because they aren't disgracing the country and those who fought for it, they are only disgracing themselves. >>
I agree with your first point. The men and women of this country fought and died so we could have freedom from England's religious oppression. Unlike citizens of certain other countries, we're blessed by having freedom to speak and think, whatever we please... This doesn't mean however that evil deeds a person takes part in will not, or should not be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Yes, at a point in time, a murderer had the choice to either kill or not kill. He chose to kill. A child molester could have stopped himself from hurting little children. He didn't.
Do you see anywhere in written law allowing Americans the right to do whatever they wish? Legislation was founded for the sole purpose of protecting the citizens of America. A person performing extreme Anti-American actions should be considered a traitor, and a threat to national security. Under Federal law, these people should be punished severely! No US citizen, or foreign immigrant living on US soil should be allowed to destroy one of this nations most honored symbols of freedom and heroism. How can we stand by and watch passively as communists perform their hateful and defiling rituals on our land? If we do, we've become just like them. On that very sad day, we'll deserve to lose our freedoms to the ultimate oppression of communism.