The first amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The 1984 Supreme Court ruling of
For over 240 years the American flag has stood as a symbol of freedom in the face of those tyrants who have tried to oppress it. From the former British Empire, to our current enemies in the
When citizens burn the American flag they are burning the foundation of our country's beliefs. The only reason these protestors aren't arrested is because of the freedom they are granted under the United States Constitution. The American flag is much more then a mere piece of cloth, it is a constant reminder of the rights we enjoy that many others around the world cannot. Men, such as the marines on
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel stated, "Let them protest, let them write to their newspaper, let them organize, let them march, let them shout to the rooftops-but we shall not let them burn the flag."
-Gatorade
12 comments:
You know...these people really do have the right to do this.
But it kind of ticks me off that living in this country gives them that right, and then they spit in America's face, and in the face of everyone who ever fought or died to protect it.
I suppose some people just think it really gets the point across...but isn't that what, you know...signs and protest walks are for? Enemies of America burn our flag.
If you burn the flag because you hate our country so much...maybe you should try living somewhere where you don't have the right to express your religion, much less burn your national flag.
As much as I agree with you, I do have to play devil's advocate. Honestly, moralality doesn't really have any place in polotics. Whats morally right to me could be extremely immoral to someone else. It all varies with what your view of moral is.
Though yeah, I think the punishment for burning the flag should be being tossed out. If you aren't going to at least respect the country that you live in, then you can get out and let the door smack you in the face on the way out.
Even though it is written that we have the freedom of speech, i still think that it is messed up that you would burn the flag when you live in the country. it mocks what the men and women that have fought so much to protect this country, they gave their lives fighting for our rights and now your going to burn one of the symbols of freedom in this world? i agree with jesus fish that only the enemies of the u.s. would do such a thing and that if you wanted to protest against the government to go on protest marches.
The burning of any flag is disrespectful.
its rude to the country, if you dont like it here leave!
The American flag stands for the freedom we grant to our citizens and the troops who fight for it. By burning the flag you insult all of those men and women who gave their lives for the flag and what it stands for. Go gatorade.
I completely agree with this blog and dont get me wrong, I definately would never disgrace a flag by burning it but jesus fish is a little flawed in their thinking. People burn the flag because it gets noticed, it brings attention, and people get mad over this morally wrong (to me) act. But the alternative of signs and Protest walks just dont have the same results. Sure there may be some appreciative honks of some middle fingers as a responce but not much more then that. I dont in any way support the action of burning a flag though and I really like the arguments in this blog.
An originalist interprets the constitution with the idea that the constitution means the same thing it meant when it was originally written. I guarantee that if someone had burned the American Flag in the late 1700’s, they would have been beaten and tried for treason. They probably would have been executed and despised like Benedict Arnold. The American Flag represented the struggles the founders of this country endured to escape British oppression.
I think that you should be able to burn the flag if you choose to do so.
However, I do not agree that it is okay to burn the flag. In my opinion, it makes little sense to live in a country you hate. Why be disrepectful by burning the flag? If America was that bad you would be sent to jail just for questioning it. In the end, even though flag burning is wrong, we should have the right to do it.
Honestly, as much as I don't like it, people really do have the right to burn the national flag. Whether we like it or not, the constitution protects their right to do so. Yes, I know, it doesn't seem right, but there really shouldn't be a punishment for burning the flag. If they want to leave the county, so be it, but forcing them to leave because they expressed their ideas or feelings is simply not logical.
You have to focus on the key issue here. Few of us will argue that it is immoral to burn your own countries flag, but the issue is whether they should be allowed to. And I say yes to that. When government begins to call actions that are no direct risk to the country as treason or seduction, they begin to gain the right to censorship. Our ability express ourselves is what makes this country free not the flag that stands for it.
I agree completely that those who would dare to burn the revered symbol of our country are mocking the sacrifice that so many of our country-people have made. Yes, the flag may be succeptable to destruction, like our very own country was in the 2nd Revolutionary War, also known as the War of 1812, and that's the wonder of America. Even though we could potentially be destroyed, natural dissasters do exist, we are a symbol for hope, freedom, and equality. Remember the battle that inspired our National Anthem, go ahead, sing it to yourself. "O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Francis Scott Key was asking a question, is the flag still there? Do we still have hope? The answer to that question was and still is yes. May Old Glory forever wave.
P.S. If you want to burn the American pride and joy, our Old Glory, wrap yourself in it first.
As I see it, freedom of expression is freedom of expression. Even though that expression may be crude, disturbing, and anti-american, people can not prohibit these individuals from doing so. But, if you have so little respect for your country that you choose to burn the flag of our nation, I suggest you move.
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