The Constitution limits the Government's power, not grants it power...It is disturbing that so many members of Congress have such a little sense of what freedom of expression and freedom of speech mean.
Hard to believe with all the problems the country faces today, elected officials seek to waste time on yet another attempt to outlaw a form of speech with patriotic overtones for both sides. They obviously think this is an easy form of voter solicitation for reelection purposes. The victim is the Bill of Rights and our constitutional balance.
Why isn't Congress outraged, then, that the Bush administration chooses to hide from public view, those same brave citizens returning in coffins from Iraq and Afghanistan? Didn't they die for that flag? Are they embarrassed or ashamed of those who paid the ultimate price for that flag?
Why isn't Congress outraged at the misleading nature of the adminsitrations path to war?
Why isn't Congress outraged at the plan to gut Social Security?
Why isn't Congress outraged about the Plame matter?
Why isn't Congress outraged about Sensenbrenner shutting down a hearing?
The irony is that, should something like this pass, it will likely bring about more flag burning protests where few or none now exist.
Perhaps the proponents of an amendment should use their misguided energy to ensure that those who are fortunate enough to return from the battlefield will have sufficient services available to them to help heal their physical and emotional wounds, instead of worrying about a piece of cloth
No one can "desecrate" the flag, by definition. Only sacred objects can be desecrated, and the American flag, beloved as it is, is not one. To amend the Constitution to prohibit the desecration of the flag would constitute the establishment of religion, which clearly is unconstitutional.
Would the following things be illegal, and if so what would be the punishment?
- Accidentally spill paint on a big flag and use it to wipe up more paint.
- Paint a beautiful picture of a big flag and tear it up or burn it in frIt is hard to believe with all the problems the country faces today that there are still elected officials who seek to waste their time with yet another attempt to outlaw a form of speech that is wrapped in patriotic overtones for both sides. They obviously think this is an easy form of voter solicitation for reelection purposes. As you rightly point out, however, the victim would be the Bill of Rights and our constitutional balance. The irony is that, should something like this pass, it will likely bring about more flag burning protests where few or none now exist.ont of many people, or only a few people.
- Put a T-shirt with a picture of a big flag on the ground where people walk on it and then burn it in front of people.
- Wear a pair of shorts designed as a flag
- Put a lot of tiny cloth flags in the street where cars drive over them.
Those of us who understand that preserving freedom of expression and speech realize that we will be irritated much of the time at the expressions and speech of those with whom we disagree. That is the whole point of a free country. I can empathize with those who are irritated by flag desecration. I wish they would smile when they see flag desecration and think to themselves, "What a great country we live in where even jerks have the right to be jerks." Seemingly small infringements, like banning flag desecration, eat away at our freedoms. We must remain vigilant and strongly oppose such measures.
The freedom of speech was founded on the right to speak your mind, no matter how unpopular your views. And now Congress is trying to say that only viewpoints that adore a piece of cloth have a right to be conveyed. Congress is trying to say that people who use the flag to demonstrate unpopular views are second-class citizens and do not have the same right to expression as the rest of society. That is discrimination against ideas and against viewpoints and has no place in this country. It never has and it never should, no matter how upsetting or disrespectful the viewpoint expressed. The U.S. Constitution definitely should not be amended to outlaw desecration of the American flag. The relentless campaign to sanctify Old Glory reeks of right-wing manipulation. "Protect the meaning of the flag."