Author Topic: Burning the US Flag (Read 1020 times)

Toad · « **Reply #45 on:** June 29, 2005, 10:27:13 PM »

The only value the act has is shock value. Remove that and what will they do?

Are you shocked that there are such dips and they are allowed to play with matches? Surely not.

If the very best protest they can come up with is to burn the flag, it doesn't say much for their intelligence, imagination or their cause.

I guess I'm saying ignore it.

I just like to imagine that the ones burning it are/will be the first ones crying to be rescued by men carrying it should the need ever arise.

That's not hard to imagine at all.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #46 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:13:12 PM »

When you swear an oath to uphold the constitution, your oath does not end if a certain piece of paper were to be destroyed. It is the body of ideas that you swear to uphold, not the piece of paper.

The first amendment says that congress shall make no law abridging my right to freedom of speech. Political expression is the most important part of this, because if the government is not big enough to handle criticism then we have big problems.

Burning the flag is a form of political protest and if that expression is abriged we have lost an important freedom, and a symbol of the unabriged right to protest our government.

Sandman · « **Reply #47 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:26:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
When you swear an oath to uphold the constitution, your oath does not end if a certain piece of paper were to be destroyed. It is the body of ideas that you swear to uphold, not the piece of paper.

True enough. I was being purposefully ridiculous.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #48 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:35:42 PM »

you were successful:)

Masherbrum · « **Reply #49 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:49:00 PM »

See rule #7

SOB · « **Reply #50 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:51:48 PM »

Wow, you're quite the American. I hope you spit on him too, just to make yourself that much more of a hero.

Masherbrum · « **Reply #51 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:58:30 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SOB
Wow, you're quite the American. I hope you spit on him too, just to make yourself that much more of a hero.

No, I was 17 and almost enlisted in the Army. Sign O' the Times.

Karaya

SOB · « **Reply #52 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:59:36 PM »

Aight, I did a lot of stupid things when I was 17 too. And when I was 18...

Masherbrum · « **Reply #53 on:** June 30, 2005, 12:00:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SOB
Aight, I did a lot of stupid things when I was 17 too. And when I was 18...

<>

Karaya

Hangtime · « **Reply #54 on:** June 30, 2005, 01:04:32 AM »

Certainly, a pretty un-necessary bit of legislation.. a flag burner would necessarily want a crowd. The law of averages and current patriotic frevor considered..

..well, there's no law against stupidity, but as granpaw used ta say, "the penalty for stupidity is usually death."

On the other hand, some pretty good points have been made on the relative value of protecting the right of freedom of speech and expression and the infringement on those rights by frivolus legistaltion.

Net result.. no law needed.

Heater · « **Reply #55 on:** June 30, 2005, 05:10:12 AM »

Well I put my life on the line for 20 years so the *******s would have the right to burn the flag, I do not like it and would love to kick the living **** out of them, but that is what freedom means.