House Approves Flag-Burning Amendment

[Souron]

once again you peope do realize the only proper way to retire a US flag is to burn it. The boy scouts of america do it, and you'd have a tough time trying to convince someone that they are an unpatriotic lot

Presumably, Congress would allow burning of flags for the purpose of disposal.

 

[blackheart]

Presumably, Congress would allow burning of flags for the purpose of disposal.

Perhaps they haven't thought that far ahead yet, eh?

 

[ainwood]

I guess I'll chalk this down as something I really don't understand about the States.

Our flag sucks. We perenially get calls for redesigns. People want to ditch our dirge of a national anthem - I see their point. Does this make me unpatriotic? This does remind me a bit of the uproar when Rosanne sang the National anthem off-key. It seems that patriotism is measured in very different ways in different places.

 

[Shadylookin]

Presumably, Congress would allow burning of flags for the purpose of disposal.

any protester could just claim they were disposing a flag and then the laws become meaningless.

in fact who burns American flags these days? why isn't congress trying to do something related to government function? Do they live in fear that somewhere someone might be doing something harmless, but they might find it offensive?

 

[Keirador]

This outrages me. Does our government believe itself to be sacred, and it's emblems holy relics? The serious consideration of this amendment shows that our government seems to think itself above the realm of mere men. Even worse, millions of tax dollars are being spent on the consideration of this absolutely rubbish piece of "legislation".

 

[VoodooAce]

I oppose it very strongly.

I don't agree with burning the flag, but I will defend to the death your right to do it.

Simple as that.

Those that want to actually amend the constitution over something so ridiculous as this don't understand what America stands for. They would have thought Patrick Henry a traitor....because they would have been loyalists, not revolutionaries.

This is something Republicans like to bring up because it makes for nice 30 second soundbites and they feel they can rally the less (take your pick between intelligent, informed or comprehending) among us. Quite simply, if you're for the amendment, you are one of the three, whether you're too unintelligent, misinformed or just can't comprehend the importance and sanctity of free speech.

It will, thank goodness, never pass, and they know it. Just something to rally the above mentioned people around.

 

[VoodooAce]

This reminds me, for some reason, of a protest that happened in Garden Grove, California some years ago by members of the Viet Namese community there.

They were protesting some people that were displaying the flag of Communist Viet Nam. They were very adamant that these people shouldn't be able to display these flags, and there were a lot of them.

I was taking the 22 Fwy home from work when I heard about this ongoing demonstration. I immediately got off the freeway, turned around and joined a small group of people that felt as I did and had spontaneously begun a counter protest.

These Viet Namese had a very good reason for maybe being offended by the display of the communist flag, but they didn't have a very good understanding of their adopted nation and what we hold dear.

They came here for the freedom but then wanted to take it away from some people because they disagreed with what they are saying. They just didn't understand the utter hypocrisy in their actions, which drove me nuts.

The same thing applies here. The flag wavers that want to ban flag burning are just lacking a real understanding of what America stands for....kind of strange.

This amendment is totally anti-American. If they don't like the freedom America allows, why wave the flag in the first place. Very odd.

 

[Cuivienen]

I vote no because traditional flag etiquette states that, if the flag is too dirty to appear respectful when flown, it must be ceremonially burned rather than washed. Any amendment to the constitution banning flag burning also bans proper flag etiquette.

 

[Bluemofia]

No, buecause freedom of expression. It's a piece of cloth that has a certain color pattern. You burn the flag, well, you paid for it, if not, then you get arrested for burglary or for destruction of other's property. Simple. You buy it, it's your property. Do what you want with it.

 

[North King]

Introduction to America for immigrants, the Bush!te guide: We stand for freedom, liberty, and equality, and have ever since our inception. Our founding fathers concieved of this nation as a place where your rights will always be protected, and you will never be persecuted for a dissenting opinion. Even if you are holding an opinion which goes against all that the rest of us believe in, you can retain that opinion.

Oh, by the way, you can't burn the American flag, since we love that symbol, and thus you can't express that opinion.

 

[Strider]

Hey, why stop at flag burning!? Let's make house burning legal also!

 

[SeleucusNicator]

any protester could just claim they were disposing a flag and then the laws become meaningless.

There is a very specific ceremony for burning an American flag so as to dispose of it. I recall seeing a poster that had the steps once, but I don't recall the details.

For sure I know that it has to be properly folded before the burning, and I think it has to be done in some sort of container.

 

[vbraun]

Since I will probably never own an American Flag, I really don't care if we're allowed to burn it or not.

Also, how in the world are they going to enforce such a law?

 

[SeleucusNicator]

Also, how in the world are they going to enforce such a law?

The kind of flag-burning they're trying to outlaw is usually done in public, typically at a protest. There are always police nearby.

 

[Lord_all_Mighty]

Hey, why stop at flag burning!? Let's make house burning legal also!

Are you serious?

 

[VoodooAce]

Hey, why stop at flag burning!? Let's make house burning legal also!

Why stop there! Let's make barbequing illegal, too.

 

[vbraun]

The kind of flag-burning they're trying to outlaw is usually done in public, typically at a protest. There are always police nearby.

So the protesters are trying to change something when then they burn the flag saying they hate America thus stopping any change from happening? (Unless their doing an Anti-American protest, but in America?!? Do they want to be shot?)

Maybe they should try not to get drunk before protesting next time.

 

[Strider]

Are you serious?

Oh, sure. This amendment is a real disappointment. I mean, afterall, it's limiting our freedom of expression, right? Hell, like I said, we need to make house burning legal also! That way we can express our dislike for someone.

Honestly, anyone who needs to burn something to express themselves is pitiful.

 

[blackheart]

Oh, sure. This amendment is a real disappointment. I mean, afterall, it's limiting our freedom of expression, right? Hell, like I said, we need to make house burning legal also! That way we can express our dislike for someone.

Honestly, anyone who needs to burn something to express themselves is pitiful.

And anyone who needs to limit someone's right to express themselves is equally, if not moreso pitiful.

 

[Strider]

And anyone who needs to limit someone's right to express themselves is equally, if not moreso pitiful.

Atleast I don't burn half my body up in the process.