Flag Burning. Where do you stand?

The Tariff King

The Tariff King

Trade War Deadline Winner
Staff member
Since Trump tweeted this, it's all the rage on social media.

Here's my personal thought out, and long opinion.

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I personally would NEVER burn, stomp, or desecrate the flag. Not because I'm all up in arms about it, but because I find there's better ways to get your point across if you want to make one. However just because I would never do it, I would still afford a dissenter the right to do it as it's their constitutional right under the First Amendment. I would be the first person to fight for the KKK's rights to protest and burn a flag. It's as much of their right as it is mine.

The Flag doesn't need you to stick up for it. It doesn't need you to defend it. To me, the Flag symbolizes enduring freedom. Old Glory ALLOWS you the freedom to burn it, that's why penalizing it goes against the point of Old Glory + Free Speech. That's why Old Glory is so special. No matter how many times you burn the flag, the ideals and values are still there and not going away. You can burn 10 flags for all I care, but 10 more flags will go up and wave proudly.

Anecdotal I know, but I have veteran friends that tell me they have no problem with the flag burning. It's not that they WANT to see it, but they understand as long as it's not physically hurting anyone then it's a go. And I'm sure there's stories of other veterans whom will assault people. That's what's troubling me about this. This settled in the Supreme Court already. They said it better than I: [As the Supreme Court said in a 1990 decision finding a federal law against flag-burning unconstitutional, “Punishing desecration of the flag dilutes the very freedom that makes this emblem so revered, and worth revering.”]. On top of that, Scalia voted for allowing the flag to be burned. Never thought I'd agree with Scalia of all people on this issue.

It's troubling to me, because you start tossing out these basic freedoms, and it's only going to keep on happening.

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Finally something I might agree with sturg on.
 
Oklahomahawk said:
Agreed. SCOTUS says it's protected free speech so the only thing that can stop it is a constitutional amendment but given the DUMAS-ness of our the government they'd probably mess that up as well.
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Saw yesterday morning that in 2005 or 2006 it was 1 vote in the Senate away from going to the White House.

I think Trump's advisors told him to bring this up as it's most likely a sure fire thing to pass with both Houses.

Definitely a rallying call.
 
Forever Fredi said:
Saw yesterday morning that in 2005 or 2006 it was 1 vote in the Senate away from going to the White House.

I think Trump's advisors told him to bring this up as it's most likely a sure fire thing to pass with both Houses.

Definitely a rallying call.
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I hate when people burn the flag in protest, but I think it's because they don't really know what they're really protesting or why and the flag is the recipient of their rage. Remember back in the 19th century people made and burned effigies of people they didn't like (like Lincoln in the South). As distasteful as it is IMO it's a symptom of an underlying problem more than it's a "stand alone crime".

This subject is actually a teaching tool I use in my American Government class. I'll tell you guys more if you're interested (later today). Right now I have to get ready and go and get blood drawn for my 6 month PSA checkup. Wish me luck. :)
 
thewupk said:
To me it's a worse version of kneeling at the national anthem. You can do it as it is your right in this country. However I do find it disrespectful and feel there are better ways to get your point across.
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I feel the same way.

Nobody should be arrested or put in jail for a year as the President-Elect wanted.

Supreme Court also ruled the government cannot revoke citizenship status to Americans at will.
 
I think it's become a banal spectacle used by the unimaginative to make a point that could be made more effectively and respectfully in a different manner. People have a right to do it, but I frankly don't understand why they do it. Of course, I don't understand why grown men paint their faces when they go to football games either.

PS--I also question the other end of the spectrum with the wearing of facsimiles of the flag on clothing, hats, etc. Just cheapens the flag's meaning. It's not as objectionable as flag-burning, but I believe it's as pointless.
 
50PoundHead said:
PS--I also question the other end of the spectrum with the wearing of facsimiles of the flag on clothing, hats, etc. Just cheapens the flag's meaning. It's not as objectionable as flag-burning, but I believe it's as pointless.
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Then you're not gonna like me! I love my flag/USA apparel. Have hats, socks, shirts, shorts, and even a tennis racquet with Old Glory on it. Some of it is just the Nike stuff that the Olympic team wore. But I love wearing it, since I do love this wonderful country.

Did I mention I have flag bumper sticker and one hanging outside of my front door?

Oh and did I also mention I've sang the Star Spangled Banner at pubilc events before and knocked it out of the park? I also used to sing that and America the Beautiful at Tea Party Events. Don't think they knew I was a liberal, but I got to meet Gingrich, and I was good friends with the organizers so whatever. Bipartisanship.
 
Forever Fredi said:
Then you're not gonna like me! I love my flag/USA apparel. Have hats, socks, shirts, shorts, and even a tennis racquet with Old Glory on it. Some of it is just the Nike stuff that the Olympic team wore. But I love wearing it, since I do love this wonderful country.

Did I mention I have flag bumper sticker and one hanging outside of my front door?

Oh and did I also mention I've sang the Star Spangled Banner at pubilc events before and knocked it out of the park? I also used to sing that and America the Beautiful at Tea Party Events. Don't think they knew I was a liberal, but I got to meet Gingrich, and I was good friends with the organizers so whatever. Bipartisanship.
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I still like you. Don't worry.
 
As protests go, burning a flag, by itself, is a toothless, meaningless expression. The right of expression is far more valuable than any symbol.
 
I don't agree with it or like it but as long as people understand there are consequences to thier actions (sinead O'Connor) I'm okay with it. Also needs to be a two way street.
 
i go against what the fascist orange man feels about taking away my citizenship cause of my rights

**** him and **** anyone that sides with that ****
 
Attention grab by ignorant people that think people care about their worthless opinions.

I wouldn't give them the time of day.
 
50PoundHead said:
I think it's become a banal spectacle used by the unimaginative to make a point that could be made more effectively and respectfully in a different manner. People have a right to do it, but I frankly don't understand why they do it. Of course, I don't understand why grown men paint their faces when they go to football games either.

PS--I also question the other end of the spectrum with the wearing of facsimiles of the flag on clothing, hats, etc. Just cheapens the flag's meaning. It's not as objectionable as flag-burning, but I believe it's as pointless.
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Same and same.

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My only personal objection to flag-burning is that, these days, they're usually composed of a lot of artificial fibers that release harmful chemicals when set aflame.
 
Maybe we should just officially change to the Confederate Flag since there are more slaves now than at anytime before the civil war.
 
I personally don't think it should fall under the category of free speech, but I also wouldn't make it illegal.

I think this was a troll by Trump. That's right, our president is a twitter troll.
 
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