In a move that can only be described as pandering to American pseudo-patriots, the US Senate, led by Chickenhawk Richard Burr, is once again taking up a bill that will make desecration of the American flag unconsitutional. The story in
USA Today, reports the sorry turn of events.
"It's scary close," said Terri Schroeder of the American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes the amendment. "People think it's something that's never going to happen. ... The reality is we're very close to losing this battle."
Congress regularly has debated the issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Texas flag desecration law in 1989 and its own Flag Protection Act the next year. But until now, it has failed to muster the two-thirds vote needed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate before states try to ratify the measure.
Next week, the House will vote on the amendment for a seventh time. If history is a guide, it will pass for a seventh time. That's when the spotlight switches to the Senate, where the amendment has always died.
But this time may be different. Amendment supporters say last year's election expanding the Senate Republican majority to 55 has buoyed their hopes for passage. Five freshmen senators -- Richard Burr of North Carolina, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, John Thune of South Dakota and David Vitter of Louisiana -- voted for the amendment as House members and plan to do so again.
I, for one, look forward to the passage of such an amendment, because that particular day will spawn a frenzy of flag-burning unlike anything ever seen in the history of our republic. That dark day will indeed become National Flag Burning Day in America.
In fact, I already have a supply of American flags in stock. We routinely place hundreds of them on display for our annual 4th of July party, as we will do again this year. But when this amendment passes, I will begin burning those flags, one each day, until I am arrested and jailed. I will be burning these flags in honor of the country for which they stand and the liberties guaranteed in the Constitution. One. Every. Day. And my state of mind will be clear and honorable. These burnings will be done with grace and reverence to celebrate the values of the nation we aspire to be. In other words, these flags will not be desecrated, they will simply be burned in honor of our country. And I stand ready, willing and able to sacrifice my freedom for the cause.
If you're in North Carolina, please contact Dick Burr and thank him for spawning the destruction of more American flags than he can ever possibly count.