Burning flags
Jul. 21st, 2004 07:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pecuniumSeems the furor of the moment is a re-run, from the above you can see what it is.
I think part of this is the same as the FMA... build an issue to show what un-american types those Democrats are, it will get less play, because it's been going on every year for the past several.
Me... I'm against the idea of mucking with the Constitution on such an issue.
My take on it the flag is a symbol, and as such is not anything spectacular. Burn it and one burns cloth ("who steals my purse steals trash") the things it represents still stand.
I also think that one who doesn't believe in the ideals the flag represents won't burn it, so as an act of protest it affirms the value of the flag.
More to the point, letting people do such things is one of the bedrock principles of the country. Despise what they say, but defend the right to say it, and it's pretty obvious burning the flag is political speech, no one does without trying to make a, strong, political point.
The Supreme Court seems to agree with me.
Think about that, this Court, one of the most conservative (well, Right... the amount of judicial activism on this court is astounding, esp. given the rhetoric of the justices, and those who wish to replace them, about judicial restraint, and strict interpretations) agrees, and has agreed repeatedly, that outlawing the burning of flags is un-american.
For more check out Ourika
I think part of this is the same as the FMA... build an issue to show what un-american types those Democrats are, it will get less play, because it's been going on every year for the past several.
Me... I'm against the idea of mucking with the Constitution on such an issue.
My take on it the flag is a symbol, and as such is not anything spectacular. Burn it and one burns cloth ("who steals my purse steals trash") the things it represents still stand.
I also think that one who doesn't believe in the ideals the flag represents won't burn it, so as an act of protest it affirms the value of the flag.
More to the point, letting people do such things is one of the bedrock principles of the country. Despise what they say, but defend the right to say it, and it's pretty obvious burning the flag is political speech, no one does without trying to make a, strong, political point.
The Supreme Court seems to agree with me.
Think about that, this Court, one of the most conservative (well, Right... the amount of judicial activism on this court is astounding, esp. given the rhetoric of the justices, and those who wish to replace them, about judicial restraint, and strict interpretations) agrees, and has agreed repeatedly, that outlawing the burning of flags is un-american.
For more check out Ourika
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Furning Blags
Date: 2004-07-22 03:25 am (UTC)It rallies those who believe in the USA - and gives a few, temporary, snickers to those who don't.
The concept that it is, somehow, sacred violates the very principles of separation of church and state. To be "sacred", one must believe in sacrilige (religion being the base of the word), and sacredness itself is a religious concept. An atheist, or even an agnostic, might be dismayed that someone would think so little of the country that they would destroy its symbol, but not much more than that.
As you have already noted, destroying the flag does nothing to harm the country - and if someone wishes to stimulate the economy by purchasing a flag to burn it, shred it, or otherwise deface it - why, welcome to it -- can I sell you another tomorrow? (smile)
This same concept extends to such things as:
flag license plate holders, flag toothbrushes, flag clothing, and (I have one I just found, don't laugh) a "flag nail shaper board" -- as well as many other items.
Do these "desecrate" (make less sacred) our national symbol? Nay.
Shooting bald eagles (nasty creatures, btw) or poisoning same is far worse - mostly because they are endangered - not because they represent the United States of America.
Remember what M. Ghandi said, though, when asked:
"Mr. Ghandi, what do you think of Western Civilization"
He replied,
"I believe it would be a good idea."
sigh...