| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,014 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Today the House passed a bill protecting the U.S. Flag. http://www.legion.org/?section=pub_...lease&id=294I do not wish to start another political debate, but I know as a veteran, this legislation is LONG overdue. I have worked with many congressional leaders for this protection, and it kind of surprised me that they finally realized just how important this symbol is to most Americans. |
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
382 Posts |
I, for one, never understood those that urinated on the flag or set it on fire. When you question these idiots, they quickly hide behind the 1st Amendment and cry out, "It's a free country!" I would love to grab them by the back of their heads (after I slap them around) and show them this:  This is from the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The freedoms that many of the country's losers take for granted are NOT FREE, but came with a price. I salute those that that have fought and continue to fight for everything our flag symbolizes. God Bless America! Edited by zakgold
06/22/2005 5:40 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
I've always felt that the first amendment to the constitution was intended to protect SPEECH and political opinion, rather than flag burning, political contributions and the like. So I feel that the supreme court was wrong to overturn laws against flag desecration. I don't understand how an American can burn the flag. It's such an offensive, vulgar insult to so many, myself included.
Don
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2724 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
I was in high school during the first Gulf War, (uh oh, now y'all know how old I am!) and I remember seeing a guy who was about 6'7", 350 pounds give or take wearing a flag T-shirt with the saying "Just try to burn this one!" under the flag! Still makes me smile thinking about it.  'Bout time the House did something about this! Rachel [:p] |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Edited by Mike
06/24/2005 2:02 pm
|
|
New Member
United States
41 Posts |
As a disabled vetran with 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy, I believe that one of the freedoms I spent 20 years defending is freedom of speech. Since the Supreme Court has defined freedom of speech equal to freedom of expression, I do not believe that they can make a law forbiding the buring of the flag. If someone who has no respect for the flag were to burn it, it just reflects their lack of respect. If I were to burn a picture of their grandmother, it would have the same effect. I know this seems to be a contradiction of terms for me to say this but if you restrict that freedom of expression, you are restricting all of the freedoms.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
I think that John Dix said it best while standing on the steps of the New Orleans Mint. "This is the flag of our union. If any man attempts to tear it down, shoot him on the spot".
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
Well guys, don't get your hopes up too high on ever seeing this change in the constitution. If you remember right, the House has either four or five times done this very same thing. Sent it on to the Senate and had it shot down because of the 2/3 rule. They can't seem to get enough votes to place it on the ballet. There are a whole lot of PR senators in washington who believe the Justice department made the right decison and wont change their minds very easily.
Just thought I would remind you.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
1091 Posts |
This law would only affect Americans? If so, this would give Americans less rights than other people in the world to burn a US Flag. I would hate to think of the USA going to WAR because some protester in another country has desecrated the flag.
It's a severe protest, but it's also a release valve for those extremely frustrated with the policy of the government of the day. The flag is a SYMBOL. Burning a "piece of cloth" does not destroy the patriotism the flag represents.
I for one believe that the less laws there are, the more freedom people have. If you jail a protestor for flag burning, would He be a political prisoner?
I would think that there would be a laws already existing about setting a fire in a public place and the endangerment of fellow citizens that could be used to curtail this unsavoury activity.
Edited by Mike
06/24/2005 1:33 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by toast
If you jail a protestor for flag burning, would He be a political prisoner?
There for a minute, I figured that I had found out why they called you "toast", but to answer your question: If this protestor did this around these parts he would be considered a "protected"(not political) prisoner. Folks around here don't take kindly to idoits who either burn or wear the American Flag. That is just the way it is and we don't need an act of congress to make it so. Edited by OldDan
06/23/2005 10:33 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
382 Posts |
In all fairness, we don't need consistutional amendment to protect the flag. For instance, if I saw some idiot burning the U.S. flag on my street, they will have to deal with my fist and size 14 feet! Let them take me to court and I would plead temporarially insane. "Too many emotions came over me, that I was unaware of my actions your honor." as I would make my case to the court.
Give me a jury outside of California and they would NEVER convict me!
Edited by zakgold
06/24/2005 09:53 am
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Hi Members, I think this topic can be discussed more openly in private mails without anyone who may be sensitive to these issues being offended. I know the post started as non-numismatic in nature, but it's intent was not to spark debate, but merely offered as an F.Y.I. Thanks, Mike  Edited by Mike
06/24/2005 4:22 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
1091 Posts |
Freedom of speech is one of America's greatest assets and Joys.
I don't quite understand the Political Correct sensitivities that have crept into the culture.
But I agree, Mike, the first post stated it was not the indented to start a debate, and is not numismatic in nature. Perhaps this thread could be moved to a special "Chin Wag" area on the Forum where anything from baseball to politics could be discussed freely.
Then again I noticed that I was edited so maybe i'll just stick to coins and forget the rest.
PS I hope that I have not offended anyone. IF so let me apologise and honestly say it was not ever my intension.
Edited by toast
06/25/2005 03:53 am
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Toast, thanks for responding. I think most Americans are bewildered at how complex speaking one's mind has become in recent years. Being "Politically Correct" is a complicated issue. It seems every word has to be said so as not to offend anyone! In an attempt to avoid statements being taken out of context and trying to use good judgment as a moderator, I wanted to change the direction of the thread. Private mail to others is a great way to further these conversations and I hope that happens, as they are topics that truly need to be discussed. I go to private mail on a very regular basis. I love the passionate expression of ideas by members of this forum and respect them immensely. I think what's going on with the United States Government's military efforts in the world have created some specific sensitivities that can cause serious repercussions if not clearly understood. This was also a decision that has no bearing on my personal beliefs, as that would be truly unfair. I have struggled for over an hour even writing this, trying to be careful with the wording so as not to re-ignite any lingering embers. I very much dislike the idea of editing any post. This is certainly not the habit of this forum as I think you will see many subjects are discussed openly. The preferred method for editing is to ask the poster to remove the statement in question. I will do this if this ever occurs in the futute(my mistake and I apologize for that). I will P.M. you to tell you what I edited in the event that you don't remember the wording. I take full responsibility for this edit. Thank you for being so understanding. Mike Edited by Mike
06/25/2005 05:46 am
|
|
Valued Member
United Kingdom
188 Posts |
Gonna say I was never that bothered about the flag. Being in the UK maybe things are different but when I see people in the Middle East burning the Union Jack I feel no emotion with it, I don't find it personally insulting and afterall it's only a bit of coloured fabric there are afterall things which matter so much more. Friends and family for instance which go beyond mere national ties.
This doesn't mean I don't have a sense of national pride as anyone who's set me off ranting about the euro will know all too well. But I see alot more coins than I do of our flag. Maybe if they wanted to radically alter our flag I might put up more of a fight, but people burning it, urinating on it, I say go ahead... there's plenty more where that came from.
Edited by Ætheling
06/25/2005 06:26 am
|
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 2,014 |
Posted 06/22/2005 6:16 pm
of the flag has always done a great dishoner to all who have fought for hope and freedom. Mike 
