The flag burning amendment.

I love it when people say People died for that Flag. No one died for a flag and if they died over a peace of cloth then really it was mother nature weeding out the stupid. It’s some cloth people. Burn it wear it or piss on it, it does not mater to me. I am a Citizen of the USA not of a flag and that flag does not recusant me, I am not red white and blue. Olive maybe.

If we can't burn it, we can still bomb it, right?

I love the thought of flag burning ceremonies with flags of all the nation-states going up in a blaze, symbolizing the end of nationalist bigotry and the adoption of an outlook in which humanity is viewed as one species with 6 billion sovereign individuals.

Neocons see it differently. The flag is sacred. The Constitution is for ass wiping.

Next it'll be one that makes taking the lord's name in vain a federal crime

You sure out counting out a lot of red states. A lot of red states. And some of those Blue states in the midwest, will probably go red on this topic.





I think you should be able to burn the flag legally. I also think if I walk past someone who was on fire after setting the flag on fire, I wouldn't piss on them to put them out. Burn baby burn!

That applies to all Americans. If Americans were so concerned about the constitution, there would be a revolution in this country and we would over throw the corrupt government that steals from us (taxes) and tramples our rights. Instead everyone is fat and happy and rich (yes Virginia, even the poor people in the US are rich), and too lazy and comfy to do anything. Don't just blame it on one group. Everyone is willing to bend the rules when it benefits them.

I think the average american has spent more time thinking about the toilet paper they use than our constitution.. Maybe it's a good idea!

How sad and true!! I nave a pocket constitution book I used to have on me at all times. It ware out so It is at home. I am looking for a new one.

I do have to say I never really thought about ass paper other then I want the aloe stuff.

Speaking as a foreigner who never the less gets to see waaay to much American television....

Myself and many of my firends have noticed an alarming increase in "flag worship" on the airwaves. Previous to 9/11, one hardly ever saw a flag in a TV show except at obvious places like courtrooms and such.

Now if you look carefully, you will see an American flag has been added to the background of almost every set on every TV show. It's also quite routine to see huge flags adorning the sides of tall buildings now and that wasn't the case before either.

Many people I know in Canada have noted these facts (quite seperately from me), so it's not just my idea.

I find this alarming.

As Ishtar notes, intense feelings for federal symbols goes hand in hand with fascism most of the time. An exception (sometimes) would be what you see when there is a political revolution, like the original American one or those we have seen in the former Soviet states recently. The nationalistic fervour then is (perhaps) justified and (thankfully) short lived.

This sort of unconcious "institutionalising" of flag display, having it on the front of every building and in every office or home is very scary IMO. Especially coupled with that "if you are not with us you are against us" feeling that is so prevalent lately.

I saw a short bit on the news lately about some economic meeting and the lead shot on the piece was one of a building that looked for all the world like the Reichstag drapped in huge american flags. At the door dozens of cops dressed in black army gear and assault rifles searched people as they went through the door and presented their "papers."

Am I the only one that sees the huge irony in such an image coming from the "land of the free"? It certainly did not seem to bother any of the citizens or the commentator performing the story. crazy.

?

This is a really nice thought Suezanne.
I agree.

This is true - things as they are are pretty far removed from the principles in the Constitution.

I Speculate that a large number of Americans have never even read the Constitution.

A large number of those exposed to it didnt read it but rather copied down the notes from the Board or Screen becuase "it was gonna be on the test" and didnt give it any thought beyond that.

I have gotten blank stares from "educated" adults when i even say the word Unconstitutional.

Oh, it does bother some of us.

That is why the Canadian government's website on immigration requirements is registering a record number of hits

Well there were a lot of American flags before 9/11 , really.

But its true after 9/11 was a serious shortage - Demand for flags went through the roof.

Most houses now have a flag, as well as nearly every business, etc.

The parrallels to the Ultra nationalist fervor that existed in places like Germany, and USSR is apt , really.

The motivation though, I think is a lot different, people rallied around the flag becuase of the attacks.

Now if that intense national feeling is used for certain purposes .. I think thats the danger you are expressing.

I dont think we are to that point. I hope it never gets there either.

Seeing the flag more since 9/11 isnt something that should come as a shock. 9/11 reminded us that life and even possibly this country wont last forever. The flags arnt everywhere. But they are in alot more places now. Whats the problem? Just look how alot of this is being presented: If you are against flag burning, you're a nazi. If you fly a flag you are a nazi. Hell I could carry a bible in one hand and an American Flag in the other, and since Im a white male I would be deemed: QUAD NAZI. Oh and immediately a HUGE AMERICAN FLAG = NAZI! Where is the middle ground in these discussions?

Bottom line: America was attacked. People were reminded that their freedom wasnt without a cost and continueing cost. Some people just want to use a flag to show their patrotism and to show our enemies that we are united. Just because you dont fly one doesnt mean I think you arnt patriotic. Stop looking for some hidden evil in everything.

Oh and back on topic. Sort of.


Burning the flag should not be illegal. It may be crass and even insulting but theres a lot of things that are.

Theres a LOT of things in the US that shouldnt be illegal.

Theres other things that should be illegal but arent.

The government has too much power versus the States .. the Feds and the States have too much power versus the Individual.

Maybe these are issues that should matter more to candidates than the "issues" they put forth when campaigning.

Ulrika, you should be ashamed of yourself for defacing something as valuable and important as toilet paper. Shame shame shame.

Yeah, that part really bothers me too, how people just DON'T NOTICE how much like an iconic police state America is becoming.

Or when pressed will say something like "well, things aren't really that bad yet". How bad does it have to get? By the time they notice something's wrong, they'll already be arrested.

Of course, the part about this scene being at an "economic meeting" is perfectly apt. It is economic fascism that has laid the groundwork for rising political fascism here, and which requires it in order to extend itself and survive.

I think the irony about this being "the land of the free" is exactly one of the main reasons why it's happening. People take freedom for granted these days, they don't even know what it is anymore...

Uh oh..
Now it's gonna be illegal to squeeze the Charmin

It's all very disturbing. It would be easy to write it off as just a nationalistic swing due to the events of 9/11 but it goes way beyond that now. If you wanted to see a speech by Bush on the campaign trail during the leadup to the election you had to sign a "loyalty oath" before you could get through the door. We now have right wing politicians constantly stating that if you oppose their policies you're "with the terrorists." The free press no longer exists in mainstream news as these issues are rarely brought up and the populace is so blind to history that it doesn't inspire outrage when it is. I don't think it's apathy that keeps the average American from outrage over these kinds of Stalinist or McCarthyist threats to our freedom and civil liberties. It's pure ignorance.

Ummm… ok… not wanting to see our flag burned on American soil is somehow being “over patriotic”. Get a grip.


Since when does burning a flag require speech?

I do not see a single good reason why on American soil people should be allowed to burn the American flag and will leave my comments to that.

well said.

So where's a link to this economic meeting? Were they cops searching everyone? Who was at the meeting? Did the attendies request this kind of security? Were there threats made or intelligence that a suspected attack could take place during the meeting? Etc.

Oh wait, we dont need facts. Assume the worst!

The above would be precisely why our rights are being taken away and our citizens are starting to be treated as terrorists by default.

The "soil" does not belong to the federal government. It belongs to the people who own their particular patch of it. On that patch, they should be able to burn whatever the hell they want.