"All My Heroes Have Always Been Democrats"~ Al Rodgers.
In the final analysis, it is the Constitution that is the foundation and the guarantor of the people's liberties. Protecting American's rights to freedom of speech and to worship as they please.
The flag represents all of the cherished liberties that's right we Americans enjoy. Liberties explicitly protected by the text of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The flag is a symbol of all that we hold near and dear and of our nation's history. It is also a symbol of our Constitution's value.
The flag lives only because the Constitution lives.
Finally, without the Constitution there wouldn't be an American Republic, or American liberty, or an American flag.
We love that flag, but we love the guarantees of the Constitution more.
For the Constitution is not just a symbol, IT IS, AS I SAY, THE VERY THING ITSELF {emphasis original}.
There's ALOT more below
The presiding officer of the Senate: "The Senator from New Jersey is recognized."
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ): Mr. President, I stand here proud of my country, proud of our liberties, proud of our flag.
I went to Europe as a young man in World War II. The first time I was out of the country, I put on a uniform to defend the honor and the freedoms that this country represents. And now we talk about the actions of a few who dared burn our flag.
It's a repulsive, ugly act and we never want to see it, but do we take away their right to dissent and say America is a country that can't stand dissent?
No.
Mr. President, one's patriotism may be another person's desecration. I use this poster not at all to degrade the President of the United States, but that is the hand of the President of the United States using a magic marker to write on this flag.
Is that desecration, I ask you?
There's another example that represents desecration.
Here he is Kid Rock. With his head through the flag. Is that a desecration?
It was such desecration that he was invited to address the Republican convention, and they partied with him and they loved him.
What constitutes desecration?
A lapel pin or a statement here when we're worried about what we do for our soldiers, who have yet to come home, and we don't allow them to be covered with the flag that we honor so much?
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? [emphasis original]
This is politicking at its worst. And we should not violate the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
It is raw politics. It doesn't demonstrate patriotism in any way.
I invite everybody to have the courage to vote against this amendment. Show your courage and don't be intimidated by wondering what one person or another will think.
We're paid...we're invited here to think about the freedoms our country has available.
And it's not only protecting the flag, it's protecting our liberties, it's making sure that we protect our veterans, it's making sure we give them the right kind of equipment and resources.
That to me is the kind of patriotism that ought to be rewarded.