Salute the Flag, Burn the Flag
By one vote, the Senate rejected a constitutional amendment that would have given Congress the power to ban burning the American flag.
The following is a statement by President Bush:
“By showing respect for our flag, we show reverence for the ideals that guide our Nation. And we show appreciation for the men and women who have served in defense of those ideals.”
What makes burning an American flag offensive? Maybe it’s because the flag drapes the coffins of soldiers who’ve served under it. Maybe it’s because for hundreds of years men fought bravely for all the flag stands for. Maybe because we have such a rich history exemplified by the flag. Maybe it’s because the kind people who burn flags are also the kind of people who spit on soldiers returning from war, who run from civic duty and think being foul is being cool. Maybe it’s because our enemies burn our flag.
Or, maybe it’s because no one NEEDS to burn a flag to have free speech any more than I need to punch someone in the face to say, “I hate your viewsâ€.
It’s a slap in the face of Lady Liberty to burn a flag, and it’s always done by those who are by their “speech†saying, “We hate Americaâ€, yet they are protected by what they say they hate. The irony is offensive.
As a nation, we’ve gotten far enough from 9/11 that we can be jerks again. Who burned a flag after 9/11? Jihadists. Instead, as a sign of solidarity, love, pride and unity, we flew our flags here in America to show the world and ourselves that WE LOVE AMERICA.
What is someone saying who burns the flag? There is some speech so foul that it is NOT protected or else there would be no obscenity and profanity laws to prohibit speech that is inappropriate. If burning the flag isn’t inappropriate speech, what is?
Cross-posted at Amy’s Blog
June 28th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
Flag amendment falls one vote short
WASHINGTON | A constitutional amendment to ban flag desecration died in a Senate cliffhanger Tuesday
June 29th, 2006 at 12:14 am
Darn… I wished it had passed. I just think this garbage is wrong. Hey, you disagree with things, the president, even some US policies… but to desecrate our flag, the symbol of this nation and the blood shed for it… It just is not right.
I heard an interesting question on Rush Limbaugh today from a caller; does this mean we can flush the koran down the toilet now?
June 29th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Is flag burning really a problem in this country at the moment? Is it really, no pun intended, a burning issue? When was the last time you saw someone *here* burn a US flag? I say, go ahead, burn away. All it does is turn people against what you have to say. Do we not have more important things to deal with like sky-rocketing budgets from an out-of-control Congress, a Congress and president that neglect the needs of our troops and our veterans, a president who chooses how and when he’ll chose to follow laws passed by Congress, excessive influence of lobbyists on members of Congress, immigration, corporate welfare, the eviseration of environmental laws meant to protect our water, air, and future supplies of wood, etc? It’s nice to see members of Congress taking the time to give themselves a pay raise and passing ‘important’ pieces of legislation. I had high hopes for the R’s in Congress, but they’ve not failed to disappoint me again, again, and again. So, please, spare me the histrionics.
June 29th, 2006 at 7:58 pm
You think I’m being cynical, ask yourself why this ‘issue’ is being trotted out after Republican control of Congress since the late 90’s and the presidency since 00′? It’s not like this hasn’t been voted on before, and then forgotten about. It’s being pulled out as a ‘wedge’ issue and a means of further polarizing people. It’s a blatant disgusting political manuver before an election. It saddens me to think that this is what the R’s have become.
July 1st, 2006 at 3:48 am
that’s a laugh… what the R’s have become.
it disgusts me what the D’s have become; America hating comunists and socialists, betraying the ideals that made this country great in the first place.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Actually, I don’t think much of the D’s either, but I don’t mistake them for socialists and communists. Apparently, you haven’t noticed their drift over the last 20 or so years to more of a centrist position. So, please, spare me the histrionics if you can’t forthrightly look at the R’s and say ‘Hey, you aren’t what you advertise’. Speaking of advertising, have you looked at section 8 of the US Flag code:
“The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.”
How often do you think that gets violated this time of year?