From TPM (
http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/6/14/91018/0317):
"...Our lobbying team in Washington thought we might see a vote today on the flag "desecration" amendment, which would allow Congress to criminalize the physical mistreatment or alteration of the American flag.
Thankfully, we did not see such a vote, but we do expect it to happen any day now. Before Congress takes up this amendment, however, it might want to take a look at a brand new poll from the First Amendment Center showing a whopping 63 percent of Americans oppose the flag amendment. We've spent a lot of time fighting alongside a principled minority on this measure. It is telling, however, that there is now a silent majority with us.
Nonetheless, with the current Senate, this amendment could be just two votes away from going to the states for ratification.
More below
It's amazing that the Flag Amendment could happen even though the vast majority of the public doesn't want the government to carve an exception to the first amendment for purely political speech. Salute the flag and everything "for which it stands" -- write your Senator to oppose the amendment"
at... https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=139&page=UserAction
MY THOUGHTS:
1.HOW IS THE FLAG DEFINED - I MEAN, WHAT IF I HAVE A SHIRT THAT HAS A FLAG SILKSCREENED ON IT OR A PAIR OF SHORTS WITH A FLAG SEWN ON THE BUTT? WHAT ABOUT A DRAWING OF THE FLAG THAT I BURN?
2. HOW DO YOU PROVE I BURNED A FLAG IF IT IS BURNED UP - WHAT IF IT HAD ONLY 12 STRIPES OR 49 STARS - WHAT AN IDEA - I CAN SELL FLAGS THAT ARE JUST A BIT DIFFERENT - CANT BE PROSECUTED UNLESS ITS A "FLAG"
3. WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SEE IS TOMMY HILFIGER IN CUFFS DOING THE PERP WALK FOR DESIGNING AND SELLING CLOTHS THAT USE THE FLAG IN THEM...
THIS IS ANOTHER REAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY BY OUR GREAT CONGRESS