House Approves Flag-Burning Amendment

[Raijer]

If you burn a flag you are not harming liberty or freedom, but you are harming what it symbolizes, and in the proccess you being disrespectful and desecrating that symbol.

The flag symbolizes freedom. We both agree. Now you say it is wrong to burn a flag because "you are harming what it symbolizes." So in order to protect the symbol, you want to actually destroy freedom itself. Not its symbol, but the real thing, real freedom.

You might think that it is just a piece of cloth, and in mine and hopefully every American's, it isn't but something that reminds them of how good America is and all of it's liberties and freedoms.

America is indeed great because of its liberties and freedoms. This I fully acknowlege. You can't seem to grasp that what you advocate is taking away and stomping out liberty and freedom - the very things YOU say make America great! YOU'RE the one saying that liberty and freedom is wrong, and that liberty and freedom should be outlawed. Therefore YOU'RE the one who's being Anti-American. Flag burners destroy the symbol of freedom. You destroy freedom itself, the very foundation on which America was built, and to me, that's a far far greater crime.

...you have no right in disrespecting that symbol, and that is what the amendment is trying to stop. It will teach the people that burn flags now, not to, and if more people to it to rebel they will just go to jail.

It so amazes me how you can value a symbol of freedom, yet despise freedom itself. If freedom is so evil that it must be outlawed, and people sent to jail for practicing it, why do you love the symbol for it so much? It seems to me, with your obvious hatred of freedom and liberty, you would be the first one to strike the match, and burn that which symbolizes the thing you so despise. Your position is pure insanity.

 

[eyrei]

Come on people, I have to continually check this thread because of its tendency to get heated, and I haven't seen a new argument from either side in several pages.

 

[Stylesjl]

It is my right to hate my country my right to destroy its symbol (hey, how do you know that these people burn it to show they don't like the flag and want it changed). Such an amendment is stupid but im not a US citizen so its you guy's right to screw with your soverignty

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

Come on people, I have to continually check this thread because of its tendency to get heated, and I haven't seen a new argument from either side in several pages.

Yes, but it is fun to beat a dead horse. Here I go, using the same argument I used in a college editorial about the subject long ago:

Burning the Flag burns a symbol of Freedom. Outlawing it destroys Freedom itself.

 

[Lonkut]

of how good America is

lol now I know viking is either joking or has smoked to much green stuff.

Burning the Flag burns a symbol of Freedom. Outlawing it destroys Freedom itself.

only the second one is right, because is not a flag that makes a country its its ppl and laws and stuff. And besides its not the flag itself its the government banning something thats the issue (to me anyways).

 

[nonconformist]

By burning the flag you are not offending me well you are, but the point is that you are disrespecting the flag, the amendment is protecting it from being disrespected.

Disrespecting the flag? The flag is a piece of cloth. It hasd no feelings or emotions. It won't mind if I burn it, tear it, or use a damn George Forman grill on it.

 

[stratego]

There's a lot of argument about Flag-Burning curbing Freedom of Speech, but have you stopped to think if the 1st Amendment is even Constitutional?

Flag burning is the worst form of protest. But if we just outlaw flag burning, that's just like trimming the leaves, while leaving the roots of anti-freedom intact. If we just outlaw the flag burning, then the second worst form of protest will become the worst, and we have to outlaw that too. And if we outlaw that then the third worst form will become the worst. If we keep doing that, we'll still be outlawing stuff in 20 years. The solution is to find the root of the problem, and destroy it. If we get rid of the 1st Amendment (which is Unconstitutional anyways), we would be able to protect our freedom against protesters.

It's just like the hunting of Al Queda members. When we capture the third highest ranking Al Queda official, then another one become the third. Likewise, if we just outlaw flag burning, something else will just take its place. After the 911 attack of the WTC on American soil, the President made a stand that we need to promote a culture of life. Because a culture of life and freedom is what America stands for. That's why we need to hunt down those that speak out against out freedom. And to do that we need eliminate the thing that gives these Anti-Americans their voice, the 1st Amendment.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

I can't believe how this country can get hung up with such trivialities as flag burning. Who cares? It's a piece of cloth that was most likely manufactured in China.

 

[vikingruler]

I can't believe how this country can get hung up with such trivialities as flag burning. Who cares? It's a piece of cloth that was most likely manufactured in China.

I have been saying over and over that the flag is not a piece of cloth and shouldn't be disrespected, that is the point of the amendment. Obviously, no one will be convinced, like IglooDude said. Therefore, this will probably be my last post. I have a question for everyone opposing the amendment. I really hope none of you have had any intent of burning the flag BEFORE this whole disscussion started. So, why do you care if burning the flag is outlawed. You weren't planning on burning it so why do you care if you can't. It really doesn't affect you in any way, or does it? IMO is it does then truly you are anti-american and aganist freedom for burning the thing that means America, when you think of America, what do you think of? I think of the 50 stars and 13 stripes, I hope you do to, that if why that piece of cloth is so important.

 

[Stylesjl]

Heres a thought, what if you don't like the design of the flag?

What if i don't like your stupid star and stripes and want to change the flag to something better? And as demonstration of my disapproval i descercrate the current design

 

[10Seven]

Has anyone mentioned a case in New zealand - a guy was charged with 'desecrating the flaag' but succesfully defended this with the 'freedom of speech' argument.

 

[Stapel]

I see buring the American flag as a sign of disrespect to one's own country.

Of course it is!

But isn't it a fundamenal right to show disrespect to one's own country?

 

[Stapel]

I have been saying over and over that the flag is not a piece of cloth and shouldn't be disrespected, that is the point of the amendment. Obviously, no one will be convinced, like IglooDude said. Therefore, this will probably be my last post. I have a question for everyone opposing the amendment. I really hope none of you have had any intent of burning the flag BEFORE this whole disscussion started. So, why do you care if burning the flag is outlawed. You weren't planning on burning it so why do you care if you can't. It really doesn't affect you in any way, or does it? IMO is it does then truly you are anti-american and aganist freedom for burning the thing that means America, when you think of America, what do you think of? I think of the 50 stars and 13 stripes, I hope you do to, that if why that piece of cloth is so important.

When I think of the USA, I do not immediately think of 13 stripes and 50 stars.
However, when I think of the stars&stripes, I do think of America.

But that is besdies the point.
I don't see any point in burning a flag, but that doesn't make it right to make it illegal. It's a principle matter.

Taking Freedoms away from people sucks!

 

[IglooDame]

I have been saying over and over that the flag is not a piece of cloth and shouldn't be disrespected, that is the point of the amendment. Obviously, no one will be convinced, like IglooDude said. Therefore, this will probably be my last post. I have a question for everyone opposing the amendment. I really hope none of you have had any intent of burning the flag BEFORE this whole disscussion started. So, why do you care if burning the flag is outlawed. You weren't planning on burning it so why do you care if you can't. It really doesn't affect you in any way, or does it? IMO is it does then truly you are anti-american and aganist freedom for burning the thing that means America, when you think of America, what do you think of? I think of the 50 stars and 13 stripes, I hope you do to, that if why that piece of cloth is so important.

I have no plans to publish a newspaper, but I still support the right to freedom of the press. I have no plans to worship a deity, but I still support the right to free exercise of religion. I have no plans to gather with others and demonstrate against a government policy, but I still support the right to peaceably assemble. I have no plans to commit any crimes, but I still support the right to be free from excessive bail (and the host of other rights accorded to accused/convicted felons). And, I had no plans to desecrate the American flag, but I still support the right to free speech in expressing whatever someone thinks they're expressing by desecrating it.

Let's put the "if it doesn't affect you, you shouldn't oppose it" argument off in a corner and never speak of it again, okay?

 

[Stylesjl]

Liberties should only be taken away when they interfere with someone elses liberties

 

[Timko]

The US should try very hard to stop people burning the American flag.

Not by forbidding it, but by trying to stop people wanting to burn it. You know, by ruling wisely and fairly, etc.


If there have been very few cases of flag burning, then why would people want to make it illegal? Is it just so the Republicans can show their base that they care?

 

[Neonanocyborgasm]

I have only one thing to say about this "flag desecration" bill:

Does Congress really have nothing better to do?

 

[E-Raser]

I am still allowed to burn almost everything that doesn't breathe.
Crappy bill IMO.
But you may still pretent to be helpful- killing the flames- and uri--- on wherever you want

 

[YNCS]

Congress is pushing this amendment in an attempt to convince the voters that the average congresscritter is patriotic.

 

[Vietcong]

free speach!! *waves burning us flag overhead*