Legal or illegal?

[DanGenck]

Flag burning- Should it be legal or illegal?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/15/ ... index.html

I gotta say, taking away the right to burn the flag is a slippery slope.

[laxative]

Keep it legal to burn flags, just make a law that all flags must be made of asbestos.

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

I consider this a subject fairly close to my heart. Throughout my several years of Boy Scouts, I learned a lot about proper flag etiquette and developed a great respect for the flag. It does not symbolize a government, religion or person. Instead I believe it to represent freedom, an idea of equality and the men and women who died to protect both that idea and the flag itself. Burning a flag in a cerimony to retire it is one thing, but I believe that improperly burning a flag should be considered light treason. I think it shows a blatant disregard for freedom and the ideas that America stands for. I understand that that is slightly hypocratic being that I am almost suppressing the freedom of expression, but a line has to be drawn. In my eyes, there are few things that you just plain dont do; disrespect the men and women of the armed forces, police or fire department; show disrespect during the national anthem or pledge of allegiance and you dont disrespect the flag.

[cjwilhelmi]

In my eyes, there are few things that you just plain dont do; disrespect the men and women of the armed forces, police or fire department; show disrespect during the national anthem or pledge of allegiance and you dont disrespect the flag.

well said

[lil lady lax fan]

I, personally do not agree with it for many of the same reasons you stated above, but I have to agree with Dan. Taking away a person's right to do such a thing might lead to restrictions on other rights and freedoms. If you haven't seen V for Vendetta I highly recommend it. It does a pretty good job of showing the possible consequences of giving up certain rights.

[SMSlax]

not to diverge, but Vendetta is a pretty incredible film in this respect. I've heard a lot of bad reviews about it, but after seeing it I have to say it was one of the most conceptually engaging films (with a good sense of humor, even about its own central issues) in a long while. The flag burning issue, while in principle I agree with, does demonstrate an possible, if not exaggerated theme to follow such censorship and freedom.

[DanGenck]

To be clear- flag burning is repulsive and a disappointing way that people use their "free speech" abilities. I don't support it at all...

But, taking it away makes me wonder what will go next? Today it's flag burning... maybe tomorrow it's music? Or film, literary media, or anything else that can push people's "patriotism" buttom.

Also- Seems a bit like political grandstanding to me. Does this really have anything to do with larger scale social issues in the country? If we worry about flag burning, then are we neglecting what we should worry about: education, homelessness, the war in Iraq, etc. Maybe, maybe not.

Thoughts? Ideas?

[Sonny]

Allow flag burning. Arrest them for violating arson laws on public property.

[lil lady lax fan]

Also- Seems a bit like political grandstanding to me. Does this really have anything to do with larger scale social issues in the country? If we worry about flag burning, then are we neglecting what we should worry about: education, homelessness, the war in Iraq, etc. Maybe, maybe not.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Think of it more as a stepping stone or litmus test--it gives them an idea of the political climate in Congress and what other issues on their agenda they might be able to get passed. It could also serve as a distraction: get folks fired up about flag burning and patriotism issues and they are less likely to take a closer look at other things going on up on the Hill, such as the issues you mentioned and their plans regarding those issues. It's quite a common tactic in the political arena. It's really easy to notice if you've lived in or near DC for any amount of time.

[DanGenck]

Also- Seems a bit like political grandstanding to me. Does this really have anything to do with larger scale social issues in the country? If we worry about flag burning, then are we neglecting what we should worry about: education, homelessness, the war in Iraq, etc. Maybe, maybe not.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Think of it more as a stepping stone or litmus test--it gives them an idea of the political climate in Congress and what other issues on their agenda they might be able to get passed. It could also serve as a distraction: get folks fired up about flag burning and patriotism issues and they are less likely to take a closer look at other things going on up on the Hill, such as the issues you mentioned and their plans regarding those issues. It's quite a common tactic in the political arena. It's really easy to notice if you've lived in or near DC for any amount of time.

Now you're starting to sound like Noam Chomsky.

[Hackalicious]

I believe that improperly burning a flag should be considered light treason. I think it shows a blatant disregard for freedom and the ideas that America stands for. I understand that that is slightly hypocratic being that I am almost suppressing the freedom of expression, but a line has to be drawn.

It's absurd to say that burning a piece of cloth is "treason".

Burning a flag is a purely symbolic expression that does no tangible harm to anyone.
(Assuming you don't light yourself on fire or inhale toxic fumes.)

The fact that you are offended or that it makes you uncomfortable is irrelevant. You can't pick and choose to believe in freedom when it's convenient and agreeable. You're not being "slightly hypocritical". You're completely hypocritical. Our nation was founded by iconoclasts who fought and died for the right to expression you'd like to see diminished.

But, while you're at it, can you please ban flags from being printed on any article of clothing size XXL or greater? Seriously, what's more disrespectful than soaking a flag in hairy man-boob sweat?

[Zeuslax]

I know that some religions actually find the pledge and saluting the flag to be sacrilege..............Basically worshiping a false deity. It's an interesting concept. They see the flag as intangible and plainly just a piece of cloth.


You know what is always interesting to see, is a protest in other parts of the world where they are burning the flag. If you scan the crowd they are typically wearing American clothing. IE; a Gap T-shirt, U of something, Yankees hat, Levis.................

[Hackalicious]

I know that some religions actually find the pledge and saluting the flag to be sacrilege..............Basically worshiping a false deity. It's an interesting concept. They see the flag as intangible and plainly just a piece of cloth.

Interesting religious angle.

Suppose we added a flag-burning amendment in the constitution with the rationale that it is a sacred national symbol that must be protected from desecration.

Then we couldn't criticize countries where Islam is the official religion that jailed people for drawing pictures of Mohammed. For them, that would be defiling a national symbol and no different than burning a flag here. (To be fair, our citizens don't riot and burn down embassies when someone from another country burns an American flag.)

To me, people who want to make it illegal to burn a flag are just as absurd as those who want to make it illegal to draw a cartoon.

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

Burning a flag is a purely symbolic expression that does no tangible harm to anyone.
(Assuming you don't light yourself on fire or inhale toxic fumes.)

Burning down a house when theres nobody in there doesnt tangibly hurt anyone, but its still illegal.

The great thing about America is that we have the ability to discuss this freely and have differing views about it. We both have differing backgrounds and beliefs; therefore, we have differing opinions. "I dissaprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

[DanGenck]

Hold on-

Burning a house is illegal because-

A) Fumes into the air can harm other people.
B) Uncontrolled fire can harm other property.
C) Large scale fires can get people hurt other than yourself.
D) (most important) You cannot control a large scale fire without help from a fire department.

If that is your reasoning, then it would not be illegal to burn a flag because of the symbolic meaning of the flag, but rather for the same reasons as listed above.