NationStates Jolt Archive

What are your thoughts on burning the flag?

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html
Title 4, chapter 1, article 8, line k of the U.S. Code states, "When it (the flag) is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Is it fitting to burn a flag under these conditions, to property dispose of it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, protestor Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag in front of Dallas City Hall. Johnson was charged and convicted with desecration of a venerated object. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction in 1988 and the Supreme Court took up the issue the following year. In Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court upheld the decision that burning the flag was a form of free speech.

In 1990, Congress passed the "Flag Protection Act" which imposed a federal ban on flag desecration. Senators opposing bans on flag-burning included Vietnam Veteran Bob Kerry, whose record as a war hero has brought other Democrats around. This Act was later struck down by the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Eichman. Congress has made four attempts since 1995 to circumvent the Supreme Court's rulings by trying to enact a constitutional amendment banning desecration of the flag. None have passed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How do you feel about burning the US flag in protest? Should flag burning be outlawed, or remain protected under free speech?

How do other nations percieve your flags? Do you see them as the embodiment of your country to be protected, or just a symbol or piece of cloth?

Flags don't mean anything to me.. so meh.

It is a flag, it is not the nation. It is a symbol, but then, so is burning it. I'd rather they burned flags than buildings.

To make that more coherent, the flag is a symbol of the naiton, not the nation; and its no more a symbol thereof than, say, the Queen or a large variety of other things. Therefore burning it on that grounds is okay.
On the grounds it is a symbol of the nation and should be venerated, I don't venerate my Queen, nor for that matter my country; respect it yes, and love it, maybe, but veneerate? Not really. If the flag is disgraced, then that is a stain on it of a metaphorical sort, and it should be burned to clean it!

It has a simbolic meaning, but thats about it. Its just people expressing their opinions, and agree, its better that than burning buildings. Its just a piece of cloth anyway.

How do you feel about burning the US flag in protest? sure, why not.Should flag burning be outlawed, or remain protected under free speech? sure, why not.

It's fun for all the family.

It really depends what flag but in general I'm all for it

It has a simbolic meaning, but thats about it. Its just people expressing their opinions, and agree, its better that than burning buildings. Its just a piece of cloth anyway.
I disagree. Everytime a flag is burned a flag sized piece of the nation falls into the ocean.

It really depends what flag but in general I'm all for it

Unless one particular flag is made of orphaned puppies or something, in my opinion all flags are is a piece of cloth with a pattern on. Whether that symbolises a nation or whatever isn't really an issue. It's cloth with a pattern on. Why is that offensive to burn?

I disagree. Everytime a flag is burned a flag sized piece of the nation falls into the ocean.
Okay then, how many flags can you fit in the USA? (Buys millions of US flags and a lighter....)

Okay then, how many flags can you fit in the USA? (Buys millions of US flags and a lighter....)
How about you just get a Texas shaped and sized flag and we'll call a truce?

Okay then, how many flags can you fit in the USA? (Buys millions of US flags and a lighter....)

Why not just make one really big flag?

ONLY YOU CAN CAUSE AMAZINGLY DESTRUCTIVE FOREST FIRES!

Why is that offensive to burn?


Personally, I think burning the flag in protest should be protected as free speech because a flag is just that, a piece of cloth. Yes it does symbolize our nation, but so what?

A great deal of Americans feel it is a physical embodyment of the nation, and to burn it is a betrayal of the sacrifices many have made for our country. They also feel it is horribly disrespectful, and shows contempt for democracy and our government. :rolleyes: To that I most heartily say BULLS**T.

Burn baby, burn...:cool:

How about you just get a Texas shaped and sized flag and we'll call a truce?
He never said which bit falls off-better safe than sorry!

An American flag? Meh. Couldn't care either way.

I really don't care.

Burn it, don't burn, wipe your arse with it, put it in a shrine & worship it daily - your choice.

It's fun for all the family.

Like incest?

I don't see why anybody should care.
If the person burning it has bought it, then it is their flag. They can do what the hell they want with it. If it isn't theirs, then it's theft, or vandalism, or whatever.

Not me.

Only a bunch of twisted up zealots care. Beware the twisted up zealots (or TUZ for short)

We live in a free country. Our flag represents freedom. Therefore we should prohibit people from doing what they want with it.

The only things I see wrong with burning a flag are:

1. More pollution being pumped into the air.
2. Burning a perfectly good material that could be recycled.
3. Attracting "unwanted attention".

If you don't mind either of those, just go ahead and do it. It hardly affects me, so I personally don't care.

I say all symbols should be regularly burned, defaced, mocked, etc. The more sacred the symbol, the more abuse it should take. If it's a good and meaningful symbol, it will survive in the culture. Eventually, you will show respect for your nation's flag by wearing edible panties printed with its pattern. This is true patriotism.

I disagree. Everytime a flag is burned a flag sized piece of the nation falls into the ocean.
Does it work for effigies too?

First it starts with flags, then cars, then buildings. Then there is anarchy. flags should be respected. They are icons of the nation/state/culture/society... If you mock everything, you do not have anything to hold on to (except your skepticism and cynicism). When there is a storm, one has no anchor.

If the flag is your personal property, or if it belongs to someone else and they gave you permission, then yes, you should be allowed to burn it.

What a waste of a piece of cloth. I could have bleached it and made a shirt out of it.

Burn 'em, eat the ash, dispose of the faeces in an undignified manner.

When my father thinks of the American flag, he remembers men he knew who died to defend America from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. To him, the flag is sacred.

When I consider the American flag, I am reminded of loudmouth yokels shouting "U S A! U S A!" - loudmouth yokels who publicly profess their wish that I should be dead for the crime of not being like them. To me, it's a rag.

I respect where my father is coming from, and I respect those who died defending freedom - but no one seems to be defending freedom in the U.S. any more.

Depending on which light I see the flag in, I can see it as almost sacred - or I can be shouting, "Burn, Baby, Burn!"

For a beautiful moment in cinema depicting this ambiguity, there's a great scene in Lawn Dogs. (best film ever!)

http://www.childlover.org/index.php/Lawn_Dogs


Baldur

When my father thinks of the American flag, he remembers men he knew who died to defend America from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. To him, the flag is sacred.

Defend my ass.

You could say that, symbolically, if someone burns the flag, they are deeming out nation dirty, and necessary of cleansing.

You dig?

1,196,215.


That's a big number isn't it? 1,196,215. It's only an estimate really, a lot of records were lost or weren't their to begin with, so the real count is actually quite a bit bigger, and it's still going up.

1,196,215.

That's how many soldiers have died defending this nation.

Do you know what the red in the American flag represents? It represents their blood. The blood of 1,196,215 brave souls, who gave their lives so that we can live free.

Flag burning isn't one of those things the government should tell us we can't do, but only because they shouldn't have to.

I have burned several flags and will burn even more in the future:D
Flags are a symbol of nationalism and patriottism, both wich can lead to authoritarian systems. Of course burning a flag doesn't have a point, but it's a statement.

1,196,215.


That's a big number isn't it? 1,196,215. It's only an estimate really, a lot of records were lost or weren't their to begin with, so the real count is actually quite a bit bigger, and it's still going up.

1,196,215.

That's how many soldiers have died defending this nation.

Do you know what the red in the American flag represents? It represents their blood. The blood of 1,196,215 brave souls, who gave their lives so that we can live free.

Flag burning isn't one of those things the government should tell us we can't do, but only because they shouldn't have to.
*blink*

Do you know what the red in the American flag represents? It represents their blood. The blood of 1,196,215 brave souls, who gave their lives so that we can live free.

Who's living free?

I see a nation of ignorant, cowardly shirkers who refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions and constantly seek out scapegoats to blame for their own shortcomings and failures. The result is draconian laws that do nothing to prevent the problems, which leads to even more draconian laws, which also predictably fail because they never address the real problems.

I expect quite a few of the deceased (which don't even come close to the number lost by many nations in individual wars) would be much more offended by that than by someone burning a flag which symbolizes this wretched state of affairs.

(In all fairness, the U.S. isn't much different from other countries in the above respects.


Baldur

Personally I've burnt hundreds of flags. We used to put a little flag on every desert on Australia day. Then we'd put them all in the rubbish and they'd be taken to the dump and burnt. I can't say that this process ever actually hurt anyone in any way, although I suppose you could say it's a little hard on the environment. Anyway, after each Australia day thousands of flags get burnt all over the country and nothing bad seems to happen as a result, so I say don't worry about it.

Of course, I live in a country where in a survey a significant number of people thought the national flag should be changed to a bum with a fist coming out of it, so maybe we're an exception.

Who's living free?

I see a nation of ignorant, cowardly shirkers who refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions and constantly seek out scapegoats to blame for their own shortcomings and failures. The result is draconian laws that do nothing to prevent the problems, which leads to even more draconian laws, which also predictably fail because they never address the real problems.

I expect quite a few of the deceased (which don't even come close to the number lost by many nations in individual wars) would be much more offended by that than by someone burning a flag which symbolizes this wretched state of affairs.

(In all fairness, the U.S. isn't much different from other countries in the above respects.


Baldur


I give you the classic example of MISSING THE POINT!!!:headbang:

If the country/Western Civilization was not defended by "zealots", "patriots", "nationalists", we would be all be goose-stepping, speaking German and have REAL draconian laws. The mind of a misguided liberal is already a terrible waste.
:upyours:

1,196,215.


That's a big number isn't it? 1,196,215. It's only an estimate really, a lot of records were lost or weren't their to begin with, so the real count is actually quite a bit bigger, and it's still going up.

1,196,215.

That's how many soldiers have died defending this nation.

Do you know what the red in the American flag represents? It represents their blood. The blood of 1,196,215 brave souls, who gave their lives so that we can live free.

Flag burning isn't one of those things the government should tell us we can't do, but only because they shouldn't have to.
Lots of people died for your country, therefore it is above criticism and reproach. IMS only 80 or so Irish soldiers have died in the service if peace(i.e. while on peace keeping missions), so Ireland must be a really crap country. I hope more people die for Ireland so it'll be a better country.

Does it work for effigies too?
Only if the person being burned in effigy is poolside.

How do other nations percieve your flags? Do you see them as the embodiment of your country to be protected, or just a symbol or piece of cloth?
Unsupervised flag burning is a public safety hazard, just like amateur fireworks. It should be banned.

Unsupervised flag burning is a public safety hazard, just like amateur fireworks. It should be banned.
Generally public flag burning is quite supervised.

I give you the classic example of MISSING THE POINT!!!:headbang:

Not at all. I think s/he very much got the point, and provided a very interesting counterpoint.

And as far as I am concerned, the flag is regularly turned into boxer shorts. What difference would burning it make?

It's a piece of cloth. Ever since I was a child, I stood for, but did not recite the Pledge of Allegience, and not just because of the under God part, but rather for having issues with the entire thing. "I pledge allegience to the flag..." Not for me, thanks. I have no allegience to a piece of cloth. "And to the republic for which it stands..." well, no... my allegience is conditional upon my country standing for and doing what is right, and I will not make a pledge that is intended to be unconditional. "One nation, under God..." Whose god? Why is god sitting on us? "Indivisible..." except by state lines, party lines, religious lines, economic lines, racial lines, national origin lines, and so many other things... "With liberty and justice for all." I would hope so, and continue to push for that to happen some day, but I have never seen it to be the case for all, so if I were to swear to it, I would be lying, and lying is a bad thing.

Lots of people died for your country, therefore it is above criticism and reproach. IMS only 80 or so Irish soldiers have died in the service if peace(i.e. while on peace keeping missions), so Ireland must be a really crap country. I hope more people die for Ireland so it'll be a better country.


sweet jesus..... em yeh sure about 80 irish soldiers have died on peace keeping... since ireland became a free state.. but how many thousands of men died trying to free the country that flag represented for 800 years?? what about the generations of represion and starvation? what about the cripplingly abusive rule ??? are you mad?? besides the irish flag doesnt just represent our country, it represents an idea. GREEN= the catholics and or republicans.ORANGE= the protestants and or unionists. WHITE = the peace between them, if you burn that its not striking out against the goverment or even going for free speech, considering flag burning is pretty much over looked here.. but burning the irish tri colour is symbolicly spitting in the face of 800 years of your ancestors struggle , and a dream and hope of a completely peaceful ireland where religion and background does not matter . but then it depends why you burn it,, im all for having flag burning legal.. but we just shouldnt do it considering what some flags represent.

no your actually sick... hope more people die??? MORE PEOPLE DYING? for a flag?? no where needs that..

Some Americans seem to treat their flag like a religious symbol, and worship their country.

Some Americans seem to treat their flag like a religious symbol, and worship their country.

Stalin and Mao had their Cults of Personality. America has a Cult of Nationalism. Not positive nationalism, more a cult of superiority. In some parts of the US, if you speak out against your leaders, your flag, or disagree with government policies, you are the enemy. Pretty sad, indeed.

sweet jesus..... em yeh sure about 80 irish soldiers have died on peace keeping... since ireland became a free state.. but how many thousands of men died trying to free the country that flag represented for 800 years??
I have no idea.
what about the generations of represion and starvation? what about the cripplingly abusive rule ??? are you mad??
No, I'm quite sane.
besides the irish flag doesnt just represent our country, it represents an idea. GREEN= the catholics and or republicans.ORANGE= the protestants and or unionists. WHITE = the peace between them,
I realise that.
if you burn that its not striking out against the goverment or even going for free speech, considering flag burning is pretty much over looked here.. but burning the irish tri colour is symbolicly spitting in the face of 800 years of your ancestors struggle , and a dream and hope of a completely peaceful ireland where religion and background does not matter .
Says you. Also, I'll think you'll find that my ancestors were on the English side during the 1798 rebellion. My family came to Normandy with the Vikings, to England with the Normans, and to Ireland with the English.
but then it depends why you burn it,,
Which does rather go without saying and invalidate the point above. Nice work.
im all for having flag burning legal.. but we just shouldnt do it considering what some flags represent.
You missed my point entirely. Nagapura quoted the number of American soldiers who died 'fighting for their country'(sans source I might add) and made the point that because of this people should not burn the flag. My counter point was that the number of people who died for a country does not render that country above the criticism and reproach that flag burning represents.

no your actually sick... hope more people die??? MORE PEOPLE DYING? for a flag?? no where needs that..
Sarcasm. It appeard that you understood that from your previous post(i.e. then one before this one) but I must have been mistaken.

I find it ironic that those who scream the loudest about being patriots tend to run away from the responsibility of being a good citizen.

I will be up front and honest and say I don't like seeing a US Flag burned in protest, but I know deep inside that it sends a powerful message of discontent to the people and the government. So while it bothers me as a veteran, I do not begrudge anyone their right to protest and gather in assembly to have their grievances heard.

US Flag fact: When a US flag is worn out, it should never be thrown into the trash. The proper method of disposal is burning.

US Flag fact: Flying the US Flag upside down is a message of distress.

I agree with the US Supreme Court on this matter. Burning the US flag is protected speech. The very fact that I don't like it, means that if I am ever driven to the point of burning a US Flag for any reason other than the proper disposal of a worn out flag, I am making a powerful statement of my anger, disgust and protest...and I and others have the freedom to do it.

Those who want to outlaw the burning of the US Flag merely want to control things to the point that no dissent will ever be allowed again. Because once we outlaw the ultimate symbol of protest, then they will go after the next symbol of protest until at last we as a nation will not be allowed to question our government or our leaders. That would be a tragedy.

You should be allowed to burn a flag in order to respectfully and properly dispose of it. But, in order to protest against a nation, uh NO!!!! This is a poor excuse for so-called "free speech."

Just a piece of cloth. And if they burn it, and it's their own flag, its free speech. Banning it would be throwing the First Amendment out the window. Concerning the fact that I am communist, thereby anti-nationalism, burning a symbol which promotes nationalism in my mind is a great idea. So I am slightly biased.

But, in order to protest against a nation, uh NO!!!!
But it's a symbol of a nation, so burning it would be protesting the nation.

What are your thoughts on burning the flag?

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html
Title 4, chapter 1, article 8, line k of the U.S. Code states, "When it (the flag) is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Is it fitting to burn a flag under these conditions, to property dispose of it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, protestor Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag in front of Dallas City Hall. Johnson was charged and convicted with desecration of a venerated object. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction in 1988 and the Supreme Court took up the issue the following year. In Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court upheld the decision that burning the flag was a form of free speech.

In 1990, Congress passed the "Flag Protection Act" which imposed a federal ban on flag desecration. Senators opposing bans on flag-burning included Vietnam Veteran Bob Kerry, whose record as a war hero has brought other Democrats around. This Act was later struck down by the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Eichman. Congress has made four attempts since 1995 to circumvent the Supreme Court's rulings by trying to enact a constitutional amendment banning desecration of the flag. None have passed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How do you feel about burning the US flag in protest? Should flag burning be outlawed, or remain protected under free speech?

How do other nations percieve your flags? Do you see them as the embodiment of your country to be protected, or just a symbol or piece of cloth?
There should be a US flag burning day.

You missed my point entirely. Nagapura quoted the number of American soldiers who died 'fighting for their country'(sans source I might add) and made the point that because of this people should not burn the flag. My counter point was that the number of people who died for a country does not render that country above the criticism and reproach that flag burning represents.


I'm assuming you can add:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_casualties_of_war


The country is not above reproach or criticism, I do both myself from time to time, but the Flag is sacred, and should be treated as such.

I'm assuming you can add:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_casualties_of_war
Waaaaaaaaaay over your head.

If the country/Western Civilization was not defended by "zealots", "patriots", "nationalists", we would be all be goose-stepping, speaking German and have REAL draconian laws. The mind of a misguided liberal is already a terrible waste.
:upyours:

Rather, your words would have not have been written in a European script; nor, for that matter, would Hitler have ever existed.

Rather, your words would have not have been written in a European script; nor, for that matter, would Hitler have ever existed.


He has a point there, Zealotry in any form can be dangerous. Nazi Germany is a classic example of this. Though I don't see how it's relevent to flag burning. The issues are, in my mind, totally seperate.

Yes, flag's only have...arbitrary meaning. This comma "," could represent everything America has done and died for.

Yes, flag's only have...arbitrary meaning. This comma "," could represent everything America has done and died for.


It could, but it doesn't. The flag does.

There should be a US flag burning day.

Don't worry about it, in Iran they have 365 of them every year.

He has a point there, Zealotry in any form can be dangerous. Nazi Germany is a classic example of this. Though I don't see how it's relevent to flag burning. The issues are, in my mind, totally seperate.

Those who have fought and died for the flag and those who hold it in esteem have been called "zealots". Personally, I see them not so, just fulfilling their duty. The men on Iwo Jima had nothing else to do but plant a pole with some cloth on it...Again, it is a matter of representation of your country, albeit an imperfect country. Nothing wrong with holding the nation's symbols in honor. Love it or leave it! Not burn it!

And why is it that only American (& for awhile, Danish) flags get burnt?

Really I know others do...

A flag can be two things.

First, it can be a piece of property, fabric with a design. In which case, as property, burn your property as you see fit, as long as you don't endanger others.

Second, it is a symbol A symbol of the American idea. Of liberty, of personal autonomy, of freedom. And included in that right of freedom is the undeniable and unwaivering freedom of expression, to speak your mind as you see fit. Anyone who argues that the flag as a symbol should not be desecrated fails to understand what it is a symbol of, the right to free expression, which includes the right to burn that flag in protest.

Those who want to outlaw the burning of the US Flag merely want to control things to the point that no dissent will ever be allowed again. Because once we outlaw the ultimate symbol of protest, then they will go after the next symbol of protest until at last we as a nation will not be allowed to question our government or our leaders. That would be a tragedy.[/QUOTE]

First you burn the flag, then cars, then break windows and burn buildings. Oh yeah, then the looting begins. Burning the flag leads to other behavior/crimes.

First you burn the flag, then cars, then break windows and burn buildings. Oh yeah, then the looting begins. Burning the flag leads to other behavior/crimes.
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/slippery-slope.html

Second, it is a symbol A symbol of the American idea. Of liberty, of personal autonomy, of freedom. And included in that right of freedom is the undeniable and unwaivering freedom of expression, to speak your mind as you see fit. Anyone who argues that the flag as a symbol should not be desecrated fails to understand what it is a symbol of, the right to free expression, which includes the right to burn that flag in protest.


I know my uncles spilled their blood so we can burn the flag. They recognize that and they shake their heads. I wonder what it would be like if we start burning red or black flags, other nations' flags in protest against them? The flag burners would say we were disrespectful to that country or political philosophy/party and that it should stop. nice turn.

http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/slippery-slope.html

Kent State started with some flag burning.
Seattle did too.

Defend my ass.

go home and die

Kent State started with some flag burning.
Seattle did too.
But you are atributing it to the flag burning rather then placing the blame where it belongs

On the people

I know my uncles spilled their blood so we can burn the flag.

The flag is the symbol of the rights of the American People, including the fundamental right to free expression which includes the right to protest the government. I'm not sure what your uncles thought they were defending, however I hope it is not a nation of idol worshippers.

The flag burners would say we were disrespectful to that country or political philosophy/party and that it should stop. nice turn.

You realize that iin two lines you posed a question, answered it for yourself, then criticized the answer?

How bout you let the people you pose the question to actually answer before you attack it?

Those who want to outlaw the burning of the US Flag merely want to control things to the point that no dissent will ever be allowed again. Because once we outlaw the ultimate symbol of protest, then they will go after the next symbol of protest until at last we as a nation will not be allowed to question our government or our leaders. That would be a tragedy.

First you burn the flag, then cars, then break windows and burn buildings. Oh yeah, then the looting begins. Burning the flag leads to other behavior/crimes.[/QUOTE]

Bull.

If that is not a prime example of a logical fallacy in action I don't know what is. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc. You contend that because of one action, another action will occur. When in fact this is not necessarily so.

Your argument is lazy. If you want to argue this point, please bring direct evidence into play, not that flag burning is a "gateway crime."

Oh..yes..I forgot. Please don't feed the trolls.

Sarcasm. It appeard that you understood that from your previous post(i.e. then one before this one) but I must have been mistaken.
oh right , didnt relise that it was sarcasim... font doesnt really give off alot of body language or tone of voice.. . lol i wasnt making point or rendering one moot, i was just talking.. theres no winning side here. its a discusion of opinions =/ no need to be THAT serious.

your family were on the english side?? :confused: aww. well i suppose ppl have to survive one way or another.

flag burning eh?
well, being English i'm meant to regard my flag as a symbol of racism.
Absolute bollocks.

What are your thoughts on burning the flag?

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html
Title 4, chapter 1, article 8, line k of the U.S. Code states, "When it (the flag) is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Is it fitting to burn a flag under these conditions, to property dispose of it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, protestor Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag in front of Dallas City Hall. Johnson was charged and convicted with desecration of a venerated object. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction in 1988 and the Supreme Court took up the issue the following year. In Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court upheld the decision that burning the flag was a form of free speech.

In 1990, Congress passed the "Flag Protection Act" which imposed a federal ban on flag desecration. Senators opposing bans on flag-burning included Vietnam Veteran Bob Kerry, whose record as a war hero has brought other Democrats around. This Act was later struck down by the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Eichman. Congress has made four attempts since 1995 to circumvent the Supreme Court's rulings by trying to enact a constitutional amendment banning desecration of the flag. None have passed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How do you feel about burning the US flag in protest? Should flag burning be outlawed, or remain protected under free speech?

How do other nations percieve your flags? Do you see them as the embodiment of your country to be protected, or just a symbol or piece of cloth?

Burning a flag should be as legal as burning anything else. Obviously there should be some restrictions about how and where you can burn things, but a flag should not be regarded any differently (in the eyes of the law) as anything else.

I know my uncles spilled their blood so we can burn the flag. They recognize that and they shake their heads. I wonder what it would be like if we start burning red or black flags, other nations' flags in protest against them? The flag burners would say we were disrespectful to that country or political philosophy/party and that it should stop. nice turn.
My grandfather personally fought on the front in WWII, and has also personally burned flags in protest. Are you suggesting that your uncles' feelings on the subject are more important than my grandfather's?

If you ask me, freedom of speech is pointless if you're only allowed to say things that don't offend others. Even dictatorships allow you to say what you want as long as they agree with it. Real freedom means being able to say things that people wish you wouldn't say at all. I may never burn a flag, but I do think people should be able to, whether I agree with the decision or not.