NationStates Jolt Archive

This thread is for people like me who abhor the idea of flag burning and want to see it stopped.

Since the act of flag burning IS legal by Holy Supreme Court Edict™, this thread is for ideas to make flag burning not illegal, but useless and/or dangerous to the idiot flag-burner. This is your space to be entreprenurial. ;)

My ideas:

1) Make flags highly and quickly flammable. (This idea taken from Carnivorous Lickers. Danke schon. :D)
What would this accomplish? First, it would make it dangerous to burn a flag in that, if you were stupid enough to hold it in your hand and light it (as a number of protesters are stupid enough to do), it would burn so fast as to leave a really nasty burn on the hand of the arsonist. Also, the flag would burn so fast that the whole "LOOK AT ME! FUCK YOU! I'M BURNING A FLAG!" protest ideal would be useless because the flag would burn so fast that it wouldn't really attract any attention.

2) Make flags explosive.
What would this do? Easy. Anyone setting fire to an explosive flag in a public place would be in violation of a vast number of laws. Not to mention the idiots putting themselves in danger by setting fire to the flag.

3) Civil disobedience: every time someone burns a flag, people riot.
What would this do? Flag burning would then be considered "inciting a riot" and therefore illegal.

What are your ideas? Even if you think they are goofy/impossible, post them anyway. They're just ideas...for now. ;)

Become a grossly facist or Communist state :D

pour water on it.

Get a gun, point it at their head and say, "I respect your rights but only if you use them for things I like".

Put it out with a giant pressure hose pipe they have on fire engines sending the person flying at the same time.

How about ignore them?

I'm sure they only do it for attention.

Make'em out of tin.

If the flags are made highly flammable or even explosive, the US government would actually be breaking a whole load of its own laws by allowing their supply.

How about everybody opposed to flag burning gouging their eyes out?

Wait, wait, hear me out. If those that are offended by it are all blinded, there would be no point in actually spending money on burning a flag, as they can't see it. Hence flag burning would stop. :D


not trying to troll here, just posting an opposed, silly idea to the ones expressed in the OP.

Make'em out of tin.
How about magnesium? :D

Turn your nation into a dictatorship.

Wow, I like how when one person starts a thread within minutes another one or more with the same topic is created. But usually the latter ones are stupider than the original.

Some people are taking this thread WAY too seriously. :rolleyes:

Make flags edible.

Make flags edible.

Now THAT's an idea!

Strawberry for the red stripes, creme for the white, and blueberry for the blue. That's something I'd like to see.

either a) Make them out of beer

or b) abolish flags

Burn the constitution, then you can put the flag burners in jail!

4) make flags reaaaaaaaly expensive... like so expensive only the four richest kings of europe can afford them! (mmm-whey (http://www.uticaod.com/community/halloffame/entertainment/images/use_frink_john.jpg))
through simple supply and demand people won't burn super-precious flags. that said, they probably won't be able to get hold of them in the first place anyway.


5) infuse all flags with a layer of deadly mustard gas in thin sandwich film of aluminium, between the layers of fabric. setting the flag alight will kill hundreds! alternatives may be sarin, anthrax, or.... asbestos :eek:

I forgot c) not

Non-flammable flags.

I really like the idea of making them edible, someone may wish to contact Fruit Roll Ups about making this possible. i would gladly volunteer to test this feasiblity.

I love the fact that most of the suggestions here involved either

a) changing the government
b) abolishing free speech
c) killing people
d) otherwise harming people in ways reminiscent of '60 civil rights protests
e) ignoring the person burning the flag

Tell me, which one of those is the most feasable?

Sure, you could always break the law in a far more severe manner than the protestor is.

Or you could just ignore them, because you can't do shit about it!

Enough said.

Some of you are missing the point of the post.

First point, this post is hyperbole...you're supposed to have fun with it.

Second point, this is all upon the presumption that flag-burning is legal. "Becoming a dictatorship" doesn't follow the presumption. Stop being an ass.

Also, I have another one. (This should piss the "too-uptight people" off. :p)

4) Modify assault and battery laws to allow for retaliation against flag burners.
What would this do? While burning the flag is legal, why should burners be protected from retaliation from those who are offended? They can burn all the flags they want...they just might want to think about doing it before they do. ;)

Non-flammable flags.
That's probably the best idea. Make them out of asbestos? *shrugs*

That's probably the best idea. Make them out of asbestos? *shrugs*

Asbestos? Nah, it isn't lethal enough. What we need is a chemical coating that releases highly toxic fumes when set ablaze.

:p

Asbestos? Nah, it isn't lethal enough. What we need is a chemical coating that releases highly toxic fumes when set ablaze.

:p
YES!

*gives Potaria a cyanide-laced cookie* :p

YES!

*gives Potaria a cyanide-laced cookie* :p

*eats*

Hmm... Yes, that cyanide is quite promi---

*dies*

YES!

*gives Potaria a cyanide-laced cookie* :p
hey gimme a cookie http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9032998&postcount=18 :rolleyes:

new plan. make all flags come with this warning sign

http://www.hlj.me.uk/aflg.jpg


edit: optional inclusion of the word "asshole" at the end ;)

This thread is for people like me who abhor the idea of flag burning and want to see it stopped.

Since the act of flag burning IS legal by Holy Supreme Court Edict™, this thread is for ideas to make flag burning not illegal, but useless and/or dangerous to the idiot flag-burner. This is your space to be entreprenurial. ;)

My ideas:

1) Make flags highly and quickly flammable. (This idea taken from Carnivorous Lickers. Danke schon. :D)
What would this accomplish? First, it would make it dangerous to burn a flag in that, if you were stupid enough to hold it in your hand and light it (as a number of protesters are stupid enough to do), it would burn so fast as to leave a really nasty burn on the hand of the arsonist. Also, the flag would burn so fast that the whole "LOOK AT ME! FUCK YOU! I'M BURNING A FLAG!" protest ideal would be useless because the flag would burn so fast that it wouldn't really attract any attention.

2) Make flags explosive.
What would this do? Easy. Anyone setting fire to an explosive flag in a public place would be in violation of a vast number of laws. Not to mention the idiots putting themselves in danger by setting fire to the flag.

3) Civil disobedience: every time someone burns a flag, people riot.
What would this do? Flag burning would then be considered "inciting a riot" and therefore illegal.

What are your ideas? Even if you think they are goofy/impossible, post them anyway. They're just ideas...for now. ;)


So create fire and health hazards ... hmmz me thinks it would be better to just make them inflamable

But ya know people will just make their own flag to burn even if it is just paper ...

I think the best way to stop it would be to ignore it ... making something taboo usualy re-inforces it

new plan. make all flags come with this warning sign

http://www.hlj.me.uk/aflg.jpg


edit: optional inclusion of the word "asshole" at the end ;)

LOL!

*eats*

Hmm... Yes, that cyanide is quite promi---

*dies*

At least some people can have fun with this topic

I've come up with two, very effective solutions.

1. Nuke the world. Yep. Nuke it. All of it. In fact, make millions more bombs, a hundred times more powerful than normal. Detonate them all simultaneously on the dark side of the earth, and go plummeting into the sun.

2. Get over it.

*hides cyanide cookies*

*hands out LSD cookies from that other thread*



this should guarentee more people have fun with this thread ;)

At least some people can have fun with this topic

It's THREAD! The TOPIC is the NAME/SUBJECT of the THREAD! GAAAAAAAGIWIHUEGHAUEGFAEG!!!

*head explodes*

:D

It's THREAD! The TOPIC is the NAME/SUBJECT of the THREAD! GAAAAAAAGIWIHUEGHAUEGFAEG!!!

*head explodes*

:D

Whaat everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr [/american accent]

Here's my idea: We should have special squads roaming around, whose sole task is the hippie-whomp. They'd be armed with a variety of hand-to-hand weapons (asps, knuckledusters, batons, tazers...), and wear obnoxious, bright pink shirts (this will hopefully draw others' ridicule). Their job would be to hammer down on the assorted goths, punks, hippies and otherwise "unique" groups that infest today's teenage culture and thereby beat them into conformity with the adult world. I think we could easily add anti-flag-burning duties to their manifesto.

I've even got a name for them (Canadian in-joke alert!): the HarperJugend.

It's THREAD! The TOPIC is the NAME/SUBJECT of the THREAD! GAAAAAAAGIWIHUEGHAUEGFAEG!!!

*head explodes*

:D

It's a TOPIC of discussion. I'm sorry if I'm not all down with your "forum" ways, and if I don't know all the "nerd-speak." For that matter, maybe I should develop a sense of "hygiene" and stop eating all my "dandruff" ... ok, I think I'll stop there. :p

Here's my idea: We should have special squads roaming around, whose sole task is the hippie-whomp. They'd be armed with a variety of hand-to-hand weapons (asps, knuckledusters, batons, tazers...), and wear obnoxious, bright pink shirts (this will hopefully draw others' ridicule). Their job would be to hammer down on the assorted goths, punks, hippies and otherwise "unique" groups that infest today's teenage culture and thereby beat them into conformity with the adult world. I think we could easily add anti-flag-burning duties to their manifesto.

I've even got a name for them (Canadian in-joke alert!): the HarperJugend.
Hey now. While I like the idea of the "hippie-whomp" (that name RULES), randomly going after goths, punks, etc wouldn't be smart...especially when going after rather conservative rivetheads* (like me) and the guys at www.conservativepunk.com

Just remember...even though we look like freaks sometimes... we might still think a lot like you. ;)

* - rivetheads are members of the "industrial" underground.

Here's the question that really begs to be asked:

"What part of 'Congress shall make no law" don't you understand?

new plan. make all flags come with this warning sign

http://www.hlj.me.uk/aflg.jpg


edit: optional inclusion of the word "asshole" at the end ;)
/me falls over laughing

*gives you a cyani...uh...m&m laced cookie....yeah... that's the ticket*

:p

Some of you are missing the point of the post.

First point, this post is hyperbole...you're supposed to have fun with it.

Also, I have another one. (This should piss the "too-uptight people" off. :p)

4) Modify assault and battery laws to allow for retaliation against flag burners.
What would this do? While burning the flag is legal, why should burners be protected from retaliation from those who are offended? They can burn all the flags they want...they just might want to think about doing it before they do. ;)

I know that this thread is just hyperbole, and I don't want to transform this into a serious thread, but I am actually for this idea and have been espousing it for quite some time.

I am on the flag-burning-should-be-legal side of the debate, but I also believe that assault and battery laws should be altered. But not just regarding flag-burners. People say a lot of stupid, insensitive, or just plain antagonistic crap, and although I think the government should not be allowed to prohibit such expression, I don't believe the government should protect them from the 'fruits' of their expression. If somebody says something (or burns something, or tears something, or whatever) in the hopes of riling me up, then I shouldn't be held accountable if their words or actions succeed in their intention and I beat the crap out them.

While many would fear that the result would be a lot of fighting and possibly rioting, I believe that the actual result would be a much more civil society. Most of the time, people would take more time in choosing their words or actions so as to lessen the chance of being pummelled for how they expressed their view while still conveying the what of their message.

Here's the question that really begs to be asked:

"What part of 'Congress shall make no law" don't you understand?
*BOOOOOs and throws cyanide-laced cookies at the stick in the mud*

This thread is for people like me who abhor the idea of flag burning and want to see it stopped.

Since the act of flag burning IS legal by Holy Supreme Court Edict™, this thread is for ideas to make flag burning not illegal, but useless and/or dangerous to the idiot flag-burner. This is your space to be entreprenurial. ;)

My ideas:

1) Make flags highly and quickly flammable. (This idea taken from Carnivorous Lickers. Danke schon. :D)
What would this accomplish? First, it would make it dangerous to burn a flag in that, if you were stupid enough to hold it in your hand and light it (as a number of protesters are stupid enough to do), it would burn so fast as to leave a really nasty burn on the hand of the arsonist. Also, the flag would burn so fast that the whole "LOOK AT ME! FUCK YOU! I'M BURNING A FLAG!" protest ideal would be useless because the flag would burn so fast that it wouldn't really attract any attention.

2) Make flags explosive.
What would this do? Easy. Anyone setting fire to an explosive flag in a public place would be in violation of a vast number of laws. Not to mention the idiots putting themselves in danger by setting fire to the flag.

3) Civil disobedience: every time someone burns a flag, people riot.
What would this do? Flag burning would then be considered "inciting a riot" and therefore illegal.

What are your ideas? Even if you think they are goofy/impossible, post them anyway. They're just ideas...for now. ;)
Make the best effort you can to be inclusive so no one has a reason to burn the flag in protest. :)

/me falls over laughing

*gives you a cyani...uh...m&m laced cookie....yeah... that's the ticket*

:p
m&m laced cookie?

http://www.lhs.logan.k12.ut.us/~jsmart/m&m.gif


yummy! thanks :cool:



*dies*

Make the best effort you can to be inclusive so no one has a reason to burn the flag in protest. :)
Nah. It'd never work. Hippies would show up and the stench of patchouli would drive everyone else away.

:p

Lace all flags with urushiol ;)

I am on the flag-burning-should-be-legal side of the debate, but I also believe that assault and battery laws should be altered. But not just regarding flag-burners. People say a lot of stupid, insensitive, or just plain antagonistic crap, and although I think the government should not be allowed to prohibit such expression, I don't believe the government should protect them from the 'fruits' of their expression. If somebody says something (or burns something, or tears something, or whatever) in the hopes of riling me up, then I shouldn't be held accountable if their words or actions succeed in their intention and I beat the crap out them.

Good call. Why don't great rights carry great responsibilities? If you can say whatever you like, surely you should have to face the consequences for your actions?

The first example that comes to mind: sure, under the 2nd Amendment you can have guns. In many states you can even carry them around with you. But if you shoot someone "just 'cause," you're going to jail.

Nah. It'd never work. Hippies would show up and the stench of patchouli would drive everyone else away.

:p

Nah, I think the stench coming from them not bathing would do that instead.

*runs*

Nah. It'd never work. Hippies would show up and the stench of patchouli would drive everyone else away.

:p
the great unwashed hippie armies pwn j00 again! booya!


http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/hippies.jpg

look at em there... a force to be reckoned with and you know it! :rolleyes:

Hey now. While I like the idea of the "hippie-whomp" (that name RULES), randomly going after goths, punks, etc wouldn't be smart...especially when going after rather conservative rivetheads* (like me) and the guys at www.conservativepunk.com

Just remember...even though we look like freaks sometimes... we might still think a lot like you. ;)

* - rivetheads are members of the "industrial" underground.

Okay, okay. We'll only go after the ones who provoke us, though be warned that definition will be rather wide ... for example, the whole idea of the HarperJugend was conceived when the sidewalk was totally clogged up by a bunch of those annoying teens standing at the bus stop. They would've gotten a whomping for sure.

Edit: damn, being a conservative punk has GOT to be hard. And I think I have it tough as a neocon uni student ...

Nah, I think the stench coming from them not bathing would do that instead.

*runs*
That's the whole point. They use tons of patchouli to cover up their "unbathed" stench.

Of course, the smell of both together would probably just gas the crowd to death, allowing the hippies to burn the flag with impunity...and that would just not do.

That's the whole point. They use tons of patchouli to cover up their "unbathed" stench.

Of course, the smell of both together would probably just gas the crowd to death, allowing the hippies to burn the flag with impunity...and that would just not do.

And we can't have that, now, can we!?

*hoists giant pig-rump flag*

hmmm i smell an anti-hippie party a-brewin'


well i'm not in it... i'm practically a hippie as it is :cool:

Nah. It'd never work. Hippies would show up and the stench of patchouli would drive everyone else away.

:p
Heh! You, my friend, should be careful that you don't develop into a cynic! :p

hmmm i smell an anti-hippie party a-brewin'


well i'm not in it... i'm practically a hippie as it is :cool:

Don't be frightened. I'm not anti-hippie. I'm just having a bit of fun.

:D

That's the whole point. They use tons of patchouli to cover up their "unbathed" stench.

Of course, the smell of both together would probably just gas the crowd to death, allowing the hippies to burn the flag with impunity...and that would just not do.

Speaking of stench, my friends and I were at a bar one night for a heavy metal evening. We'd been asked by a bartender there to be the unofficial bouncers for the night. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the fetid smell of the place. The evening hadn't even gotten started, so it wasn't sweat from lots of people in a small space, doing their headbanging thing. No, it was the reek of people who figure they're too cool to bathe more than twice a month. Fucking disgusting.

hmmm i smell an anti-hippie party a-brewin'


well i'm not in it... i'm practically a hippie as it is :cool:
Damned pot-smoking commie hippie! *whomps you*

:p

With that said... I gotta run to the grocery store. BBiaB. CARRY ON WITH THE WHOMPING! :p

Good call. Why don't great rights carry great responsibilities? If you can say whatever you like, surely you should have to face the consequences for your actions?

The first example that comes to mind: sure, under the 2nd Amendment you can have guns. In many states you can even carry them around with you. But if you shoot someone "just 'cause," you're going to jail.
There is no right to shoot someone, there is a right to have free speech.


Oddly enough, the case in question (Texas v. Johnson) here dealt with much the same topics, after a fashion- can burning a flag be considered fighting words, and hense not protected speech. To quote
"(b) Texas has not asserted an interest in support of Johnson's conviction that is unrelated to the suppression of expression and would therefore permit application of the test set forth in United States v. O'Brien, 391 U.S. 367 , whereby an important governmental interest in regulating nonspeech can justify incidental limitations on First Amendment freedoms when speech and nonspeech elements are combined in the same course of conduct. An interest in preventing breaches of the peace is not implicated on this record. Expression may not be prohibited [491 U.S. 397, 398] on the basis that an audience that takes serious offense to the expression may disturb the peace, since the government cannot assume that every expression of a provocative idea will incite a riot but must look to the actual circumstances surrounding the expression. Johnson's expression of dissatisfaction with the Federal Government's policies also does not fall within the class of "fighting words" likely to be seen as a direct personal insult or an invitation to exchange fisticuffs. This Court's holding does not forbid a State to prevent "imminent lawless action" and, in fact, Texas has a law specifically prohibiting breaches of the peace. Texas' interest in preserving the flag as a symbol of nationhood and national unity is related to expression in this case and, thus, falls outside the O'Brien test. Pp. 406-410."

Damned pot-smoking commie hippie! *whomps you*

:p

With that said... I gotta run to the grocery store. BBiaB. CARRY ON WITH THE WHOMPING! :p
lol :p

*gets whomped some more*



yay! oppression!! ;)



edit: 1.17am... time for bed. night all! :)

*gets a good-night whomp*

[QUOTE=CSW]Oddly enough, the case in question (Texas v. Johnson) here dealt with much the same topics, after a fashion- can burning a flag be considered fighting words, and hense not protected speech. . . QUOTE]

And that brings up a-whole-nother issue: In the USA, where the First Amendment explicitly states "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech", why is any speech not protected? As my earlier post implied, I believe that fighting words should be included in the First Amendment's protection, but that if someone responds to those words, their actions are protected as well.

[QUOTE=CSW]Oddly enough, the case in question (Texas v. Johnson) here dealt with much the same topics, after a fashion- can burning a flag be considered fighting words, and hense not protected speech. . . QUOTE]

And that brings up a-whole-nother issue: In the USA, where the First Amendment explicitly states "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech", why is any speech not protected? As my earlier post implied, I believe that fighting words should be included in the First Amendment's protection, but that if someone responds to those words, their actions are protected as well.
Balance between a person's right to free speech and the compelling state interest for order (that and a person's right not to be assaulted).

Balance between a person's right to free speech and the compelling state interest for order (that and a person's right not to be assaulted).

Although your position is the one taken by most (incuding the government), there are two problems with it.
First, the First Amendment does not speak of 'balance'; indeed, it's terms ("Congress shall make NO law. . . ") seem rather absolute.
Second, a person does not have a right "not to be assaulted", and even if such a right existed, the choice to engage in expression meant to antagonize another could surely be seen as a waiver of such a right.

To return to the original topic, how to stop people from burning a flag...

Each flag is to come with a contract, to be signed by the buyer, stating that the buyer shall not deface, mutulate, burn, or otherwise abuse the flag, including, but not limited to; leaving it flying overnight, flying it upside down, and folding it with the white or red sides out, on penalty of death.

That way, riot police can shoot the flag-burning *#$@&% like the %@#$&* they are.

How about all countries randomly switching flags with each other at random intervals? Those protesters might end up burning their own flag! Wouldn't they feel stupid then?

<snippy>

While many would fear that the result would be a lot of fighting and possibly rioting, I believe that the actual result would be a much more civil society. Most of the time, people would take more time in choosing their words or actions so as to lessen the chance of being pummelled for how they expressed their view while still conveying the what of their message.


Except if you are a big bruiser, proficient in the pugilistic arts; or alternatively have strength in numbers.


[/hijack]

I would like to note that none of these ideas would work. The American Flag is traditionally burned if it is damaged by weather, torn, or found to no longer be a worthy symbol. Generally, burning disrepaired flags is a touching ceremony. You don't want to harm innocent people who are trying to clean up.

Have the mug shot of Micheal Jackson on each flag, gaurenteed to drive away most to all people from burning, if not looking at the things at all.

There is no right to shoot someone, there is a right to have free speech.

All the same, when someone abuses his constitutionally-guaranteed rights, he should have to face the music.

yay! oppression!! ;)
"Help! Help! I'm being repressed! I'm being repressed!! You see him repressin' me!?"

:p

I would like to note that none of these ideas would work. The American Flag is traditionally burned if it is damaged by weather, torn, or found to no longer be a worthy symbol. Generally, burning disrepaired flags is a touching ceremony. You don't want to harm innocent people who are trying to clean up.
Well, flag burning ceremonies don't generally have hordes of smelly hippies cheering, though. ;)

Have the mug shot of Micheal Jackson on each flag, gaurenteed to drive away most to all people from burning, if not looking at the things at all.
NOOOOOOOOOOO! If MJ's face were on the flag, even *I* might be tempted to burn it! :eek:

"Help! Help! I'm being repressed! I'm being repressed!! You see him repressin' me!?"

:p

So what you're sayin is, we could put an end to flag-burnings if supreme executive power was derived from a mandate from the masses?

The best way to stop flag burning in the United States is for people to participate in thier government and to hold that government accountable for it's actions, policies and practices. Stop the back-room dealing between corporations and politicians that only benefit the few that stand to make money off of policy, and really practice the ideals of liberty and democracy here at home. If we end governmental hypocracy (and I do believe we can), then maybe people will not be so upset with the government anymore, and they won't feel it is necessary to do it.

The best way to stop flag burning in the United States is for people to participate in thier government and to hold that government accountable for it's actions, policies and practices. Stop the back-room dealing between corporations and politicians that only benefit the few that stand to make money off of policy, and really practice the ideals of liberty and democracy here at home. If we end governmental hypocracy (and I do believe we can), then maybe people will not be so upset with the government anymore, and they won't feel it is necessary to do it.
*BOOOOOOOOOs the stick in the mud for taking the topic too seriously*

*pelts you with cyanide laced cookies* :p

So what you're sayin is, we could put an end to flag-burnings if supreme executive power was derived from a mandate from the masses?
No...I'm saying we could stop flag burning if we made watching Monty Python films the national religion. :p

Well Tex, those cyanide laced cookies won't do much unless they get into an orifice. Now, if I bend waaaayyy over..... :-)

Well Tex, those cyanide laced cookies won't do much unless they get into an orifice. Now, if I bend waaaayyy over..... :-)


*Commences to stuff Kaledan with cyanide laced cookies, like a turkey at thanksgiving*

Good thing one is raised in the country-side and is not squeemish. :D

*Commences to stuff Kaledan with cyanide laced cookies, like a turkey at thanksgiving*

Good thing one is raised in the country-side and is not squeemish. :D
ROFLMAO! :D

<-- grew up on a farm. :D

All the same, when someone abuses his constitutionally-guaranteed rights, he should have to face the music.
You abuse a privilage, not a right. Rights can not be abused.

ROFLMAO! :D

<-- grew up on a farm. :D

yes, once you have had your arm in a cow or have spend a couple of hours cleaning pig sties, your definition of gross changes.

yes, once you have had your arm in a cow or have spend a couple of hours cleaning pig sties, your definition of gross changes.
Definitely agreed!

Also, butchering your own animals gets you over THAT "squeamish" hump really quickly. :)

Well, if the cyanide-laced cookies are becoming less effective ...

*Launches a barrage of high-explosive cookies at CSW*

You can abuse rights, just as you can abuse privileges. A right is nothing more than a privilege we think everyone should have.

The proper ceremonial way that old worn flags are disposed of, at least in the United States, is by burning.

Therefore none of the originally mentioned ideas could work in accordance to the flag rules for disposal.

Besides, just like effigies, other countires could make the flag out of whatever material they pleased to burn it.

Fire is purification, think of what whenever a flag you admire is immolated in a hostile nature; they are inadvertently putting the material of your symbol up to transcendent qualities & standards.

The proper ceremonial way that old worn flags are disposed of, at least in the United States, is by burning.

Therefore none of the originally mentioned ideas could work in accordance to the flag rules for disposal.

Besides, just like effigies, other countires could make the flag out of whatever material they pleased to burn it.

Fire is purification, think of what whenever a flag you admire is immolated in a hostile nature; they are inadvertently putting the material of your symbol up to transcendent qualities & standards.
*calls the forward observer and gets coordinates for a cyanide-laced cookie mortar attack*

All that time during Op Enduring Freedom, when the Pentagon said our B-52s were dropping food packages to the poor Afghans, maybe they were in fact dropping "aid" similar to Texpunditistan's cookies.

*cues X-Files music* the Truth is Out There

All that time during Op Enduring Freedom, when the Pentagon said our B-52s were dropping food packages to the poor Afghans, maybe they were in fact dropping "aid" similar to Texaspunditistan's cookies.

*cues X-Files music* the Truth is Out There
PROPAGANDA! LIES! ALL OF IT!

*pelts Gramnonia with "food packages"*

:p

This thread is for people like me who abhor the idea of flag burning and want to see it stopped.

Since the act of flag burning IS legal by Holy Supreme Court Edict™, this thread is for ideas to make flag burning not illegal, but useless and/or dangerous to the idiot flag-burner. This is your space to be entreprenurial. ;)

My ideas:

1) Make flags highly and quickly flammable. (This idea taken from Carnivorous Lickers. Danke schon. :D)
What would this accomplish? First, it would make it dangerous to burn a flag in that, if you were stupid enough to hold it in your hand and light it (as a number of protesters are stupid enough to do), it would burn so fast as to leave a really nasty burn on the hand of the arsonist. Also, the flag would burn so fast that the whole "LOOK AT ME! FUCK YOU! I'M BURNING A FLAG!" protest ideal would be useless because the flag would burn so fast that it wouldn't really attract any attention.

2) Make flags explosive.
What would this do? Easy. Anyone setting fire to an explosive flag in a public place would be in violation of a vast number of laws. Not to mention the idiots putting themselves in danger by setting fire to the flag.

3) Civil disobedience: every time someone burns a flag, people riot.
What would this do? Flag burning would then be considered "inciting a riot" and therefore illegal.

What are your ideas? Even if you think they are goofy/impossible, post them anyway. They're just ideas...for now. ;)


Why would we WANT to stop flag burning?

I woulden't.

But, since we're on the subject, here it goes...


Ban flags!

Think about it: not all flags are banned, but the ones that aren't are guarded by SWAT agents, since we seem to be obssesed with flag burning, and not real crime.

PROPAGANDA! LIES! ALL OF IT!

*pelts Gramnonia with "food packages"*

:p


Talk about "shooting the messenger." Sheesh. At the very worst, I only deserved a moderate whomping ;)

Why would we WANT to stop flag burning?

I woulden't.

But, since we're on the subject, here it goes...


Ban flags!

Think about it: not all flags are banned, but the ones that aren't are guarded by SWAT agents, since we seem to be obssesed with flag burning, and not real crime.
*changes coordinates and launches cyanide laced cookie mortar attack...then reports you to the FBI*

:p

Talk about "shooting the messenger." Sheesh. ;)
:D

I don't know if anyone has said this, yet, but I would line the flag with a thin explosive edging filled with napalm, or something similar to it, so that when the flag-burner lit it on fire it melted the skin off of their face. Just an idea.

i got away to get arond your idaes if i waht to protest i will shet on it and then piss on it for add pleser :mp5:

Now THAT's an idea!

Strawberry for the red stripes, creme for the white, and blueberry for the blue. That's something I'd like to see.


my god that would taste good. My mouth is watering right now for either an American or UK flag!

The proper ceremonial way that old worn flags are disposed of, at least in the United States, is by burning.
Oh yeah, so I guess that the urushiol idea isn't so good then? :(

This thread is for people like me who abhor the idea of flag burning and want to see it stopped.

As a fellow Classic Liberal, I find your stern opposition to the freedom of expression rather surprising. Freedoms are not reserved for people with traditional and popular views.

As a fellow Classic Liberal, I find your stern opposition to the freedom of expression rather surprising. Freedoms are not reserved for people with traditional and popular views.
*pelts you with cyanide laced cookies for taking this thread too seriously* :p

OK. If anyone was wanting a serious explanation of my position on the subject...it goes like this:

Yes, protesting and other forms of "expression" are legal here in the US. This country is one of the VERY few on Earth where you have that kind of freedom. The flag itself is a symbol of the country, and by extension, a symbol of that freedom...of the right of free expression.

When you deface/spit on/burn the flag, you are, in my mind, spitting on the symbol of the very freedom you enjoy. If you can't respect the symbol, how can you respect the freedom it represents? If you can't respect the symbol, how can you respect the country it represents...the country where you enjoy that freedom?

In my mind, when you burn the flag, you're saying "FUCK YOU!" to the very freedom you enjoy. You're saying "I don't respect the freedom I have." If you don't respect your freedom, why have it at all?

THAT is why I abhor burning the flag.

Discuss...if you wish.

NO! Noone does flag burning! They should be put to death! ...ahem, not really, does it matter if someone burns a flag? As long as they paid for the actual flag it's alright by me.

NO! Noone does flag burning! They should be put to death! ...ahem, not really, does it matter if someone burns a flag? As long as they paid for the actual flag it's alright by me.
Read my explanation in the post above yours.

OK. If anyone was wanting a serious explanation of my position on the subject...it goes like this:

Yes, protesting and other forms of "expression" are legal here in the US. This country is one of the VERY few on Earth where you have that kind of freedom. The flag itself is a symbol of the country, and by extension, a symbol of that freedom...of the right of free expression.

When you deface/spit on/burn the flag, you are, in my mind, spitting on the symbol of the very freedom you enjoy. If you can't respect the symbol, how can you respect the freedom it represents? If you can't respect the symbol, how can you respect the country it represents...the country where you enjoy that freedom?

In my mind, when you burn the flag, you're saying "FUCK YOU!" to the very freedom you enjoy. You're saying "I don't respect the freedom I have." If you don't respect your freedom, why have it at all?

THAT is why I abhor burning the flag.

Discuss...if you wish.

Well, I have to say, part of freedom is allowing one to spit on any symbol. But how common is flag burning anyway? I see more flags on bumper stickers of cars. That to me is more disrespectful, giving the US flag the same kind of respect as something that might say "Honk if you're a transgendered environmentalist" or something. But both are allowed and saying, "FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM exceptwhenitoffendsme," as many radicals on both sides of the spectrum are apt to say when they justify outlawing a freedom, is something that needs to be protested against. If burning a flag is what it takes to get it through people's heads that freedom, even the freedom to be offensive and disrespectful, is an American value, then who am I to say don't do it? I agree it's slightly hypocritical, but it would make sense if the point is illustrating the hypocracy of others.

But, as symbolic protests go, flag burning has lost it's value. Now it's just, burning cloth you bought at a store. Ain't no Betsy Ross handicrafts being destroyed at the end of every paper, plastic or synthetic cloth which happens to, for whatever reason, been imprinted with the US flag.

my god that would taste good. My mouth is watering right now for either an American or UK flag!

Ooooh, how about Germany?

Black is chocolate, yellow is butter creme, and red is cherry. Mmmmmh...

Ooooh, how about Germany?

Black is chocolate, yellow is butter creme, and red is cherry. Mmmmmh...
Stop it! You're making my fricken' teeth hurt! :p

Stop it! You're making my fricken' teeth hurt! :p

Hey, I've eaten very little today, and my teeth hurt when I eat sugary foods. So there.

Hey, I've eaten very little today, and my teeth hurt when I eat sugary foods. So there.
I had 2 grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and BBQ pork rinds earlier. :p

I had 2 grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and BBQ pork rinds earlier. :p

That gives me an idea...

Germany: Black is for bratwurst, yellow is for cheese, and red? Well, red will have to do for beer.

Yes.

This thread is for people like me who abhor the idea of flag burning and want to see it stopped.

Since the act of flag burning IS legal by Holy Supreme Court Edict™, this thread is for ideas to make flag burning not illegal, but useless and/or dangerous to the idiot flag-burner. This is your space to be entreprenurial. ;)


1. Remove the special status of the flag by putting its design on all toiletpaper, vomiting bags and underwear sold in the USA. Stopping flagburning would after all be wiping your behind with the flag in a metaphorical way anyway ;)
2. Remove the specialness of burning flags by putting the design on bbq fuel
3. Let Britney Spears tell the nation it is cool to burn flags.
4. Put a little quote from the three main Holy Books/ the names Jehova, Jahweh and Allah on the flag, so that burning one is sacrilige.

That gives me an idea...

Germany: Black is for bratwurst, yellow is for cheese, and red? Well, red will have to do for beer.

Yes.
Red = blood sausage. :p

1. Remove the special status of the flag by putting its design on all toiletpaper, vomiting bags and underwear sold in the USA. Stopping flagburning would after all be wiping your behind with the flag in a metaphorical way anyway ;)
2. Remove the specialness of burning flags by putting the design on bbq fuel
3. Let Britney Spears tell the nation it is cool to burn flags.
4. Put a little quote from the three main Holy Books/ the names Jehova, Jahweh and Allah on the flag, so that burning one is sacrilige.
Those last two have some promise. :D

Well, if you absolutely want people to stop burning flags, there's only one way to be completely sure:

Don't produce any flags! Get rid of the ones you have now, don't have new ones manufactured.


Easy, really....

Those last two have some promise. :D

But do you really want to be grateful to Britney Spears for anything :p ?

Well, if you absolutely want people to stop burning flags, there's only one way to be completely sure:

Don't produce any flags! Get rid of the ones you have now, don't have new ones manufactured.


Easy, really....
That's actually not a bad idea. Don't make them available to the public. Save them only for use by governmental agencies.

Burning a flag bikini or a bumper sticker really isn't the same thing.

But do you really want to be grateful to Britney Spears for anything :p ?
Personally, since she can't sing, I think her mouth should only be used for one thing...and that's all I have to say about that. :p

The flag is just a symbol. It hurts no one to burn one. In this country we don't have the right not to be offended, despite what PC colleges think.

That's actually not a bad idea. Don't make them available to the public. Save them only for use by governmental agencies.

Burning a flag bikini or a bumper sticker really isn't the same thing.

they could be stolen or taken away from government buildings... no, if you want to be 100% sure, you have to ban them completely.

they could be stolen or taken away from government buildings... no, if you want to be 100% sure, you have to ban them completely.
No, then that would be theft and destruction of government property. The flag burner would be in for serious prison time. Sorry, but most protesters are way too pussy to go that far for their ideals.

No, then that would be theft and destruction of government property. The flag burner would be in for serious prison time. Sorry, but most protesters are way too pussy to go that far for their ideals.

Well... to be honest... I did that in my time. Nobody had a flag, so we took the one from the flagpole in the town square.
(Before you have a go at me, I'm NOT from the United States)

Well... to be honest... I did that in my time. Nobody had a flag, so we took the one from the flagpole in the town square.
(Before you have a go at me, I'm NOT from the United States)
I'm not going to have a go at you. :p I was just saying that here in the States, protesters are generally pussies. That is why they fought so hard for the right to burn the flag. There was NO way they were going to prison just to burn a flag.

I'm going to ask a question that my idol, President Bartlet of The West Wing asked: Is there a national epidemic of flag burning going on that no one has told me about?

This seems like a case of a small group of loud people making a lot of noise about something that isn't in any way a national crisis.

And I'll mis-quote another episode of that great show: What do I say about a nation that goes out of it's way to protect even those citizens that want to destroy it? God bless America.

Markuk']I'm going to ask a question that my idol, President Bartlet of The West Wing asked: Is there a national epidemic of flag burning going on that no one has told me about?

This seems like a case of a small group of loud people making a lot of noise about something that isn't in any way a national crisis.

And I'll mis-quote another episode of that great show: What do I say about a nation that goes out of it's way to protect even those citizens that want to destroy it? God bless America.


Who says they want to destroy it? If they wanted that, they wouldn't be burning flags, but important things.
They want to make a political statement, they want to change the country, make it better, that's why they burn the flag. They burn it as a symbol of what is wrong with the country, not of what is right.

If they didn't care about the country, why would they bother burning flags in the first place?

Those who wish to ban flag burning are the ones who will destroy what this country is all about.

Who says they want to destroy it? If they wanted that, they wouldn't be burning flags, but important things.
They want to make a political statement, they want to change the country, make it better, that's why they burn the flag. They burn it as a symbol of what is wrong with the country, not of what is right.

If they didn't care about the country, why would they bother burning flags in the first place?
You're making the assumption that the change they want would be good for the country. Not ALL change is good. They're merely stating their opinion on the state of the country.

Some of us would argue that their ideals and opinions are the things that are detrimental to the country. I would also argue that, in some cases, some protesters actually WANT to destroy the country and our way of life. Destroying the flag is their symbolic destruction of the country.

i blame the flags.

opress the flags!

You're making the assumption that the change they want would be good for the country. Not ALL change is good. They're merely stating their opinion on the state of the country.

Some of us would argue that their ideals and opinions are the things that are detrimental to the country. I would also argue that, in some cases, some protesters actually WANT to destroy the country and our way of life. Destroying the flag is their symbolic destruction of the country.

I'm making the assumption that the change they ask for is good for the country IN THEIR OPINION.

It is your right to disagree with their opinions, of course, and form your own ones. Opinions are neither right nor wrong, and what's good or bad for your country is determined by the way you would like your country to be.

You might accuse them of trying to change things that you don't want to see changed, and you might fear that this will result in a country you yourself can identify with less than before, but it is their country as well. It is their right to try and change what they don't like, just at it is you right to try and preserve what you cherish.

Ever seen what happens when you pluck a hair from your head and light it on fire? It sort of goes "pfft" and vanishes almost instantly. Make flags out of something that vanishes just as quickly and painlessly. You hold a match to it and "pfft" it's just gone in a little puff of smoke. "Omg did you see what that hippy just did??" "Nope, I didn't see a thing. Nothing to see here, folks, move along."

Perma-attach them to a flag-lover, so try to burn them would be attemted murder.

Burning the flag is the proper mode of disposal.... This would make it dangerous to even properly dispose of the flag (which is by burning).

Tex, go read up on flag etiquet before you disgrace the US flag even more.

http://www.iranvajahan.net/english/pictures/en.20031104..3.jpg

:D

How to Display the Flag

1. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

2. The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right [that means the viewer's left], and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

3. he flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of the United States.

4. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States (the viewer's left). When the flag is half-masted, both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at the mid-point and the other flag below.

5. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.

6. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.

7. When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

8. When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag

9. That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

10. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

11. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

12. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a podium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).

13. When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender, to the Right of the Car (right side of car, front)

14. When hung in a window, place the blue union in the upper left, as viewed from the street.

Proper Disposal of Flag

"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

(You can contact the local VFW, Fire Department, Elks Lodge, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, American Legion, or Knights of Columbus to assist in proper disposal by burning, if unable yourself).

Wearing Flags as clothing, for dinner ware, or other inappropriate display...

- "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

- "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise."

- "The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."

- "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general."

- "The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way."

- "The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling."

- "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."

- "The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything."

- "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown."

- "No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

Build in heat sensitive microchips and speakers so when they burn they scream like a dying child.

EDIT: Looks like I killed another thread. Oh well.

Build in heat sensitive microchips and speakers so when they burn they scream like a dying child.
HAHA. I love that one.

Alternately, it could scream RAPE! RAPE! over and over. :p