Okay, it's a little inflamatory, I know. But there is a method to my madness.
The flag is a symbol. It is merely a piece of cloth which represents the freedoms of our nation. We respect the flag because we have the right as Americans to express our outrage, even if that expression is destroying the symbol of our government. Isn't that what all those soldiers fought and died for? Isn't that the truest expression of our belief in the American Way, allowing expression we might find offensive?
Now the "people" who are supposed to represent us are ramming through another try at criminalizing this expression of dissent. They will circumvent the precedents set by SCOTUS with a Constitutional Amendment. It, as ever, will sail through the House and stands a good chance of making it through the process this time. We who value what the flag is supposed to represent should be outraged.
The question we need to ponder is: Isn't the flag only worthy of such respect because it represents the right of unfettered free expression?
(more below the fold)
My humble suggestion is this:
To celebrate what may well be the final Independence Day the flag represents what ill-advised (and probably well-meaning, in a sick sort of way,) "people" think they are protecting, as many people as possible should publicly burn their flags. I'm not talking about an angry protest, mind you, but a solemn, respectful hommage to the principles the flag represents and we hold dear. I'm talking about a celebration of American values at their finest; freedom, civil rights and the ability to dissent. If I can get enough people together in Orange County, I'd love to make it a real event honoring our country and what it means to be a citizen of it. I see a group of people, with some speaking eloquently about why they are doing what they're doing, every hand holding a flag as we light them up, perhaps even sing the National Anthem and celebrate the right to be able to burn the flag in protest.
Honestly, if the right to burn the flag is taken away, what is the flag beside a piece of dyed cloth anyway? Why not show our respect for the flag and what it represents in the most significant way possible, by exercising our right to free expression?