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Originally Posted by Rochard
I took that same oath in 1986 and I'd glady do it again if ever called for. While I swore to protect the Constitution, I saluted the flag - not the Constitution. And when the US military takes a location by force, they don't staple a copy of the Constitution up - No, they put a flag up. And then would fight to the death to ensure that flag stays there. The flag of the United States makes our allies feel safe and puts fear in the hearts of our enemies - Not the Constitution.
If I'm allowed to burn the flag in protest, does this mean I'm allowed to burn a cross on my front yard to protest the guy next door being black? I might have the right to freedom of expression, but does the guy next door not have the right to live in fear of driving pass my front lawn? Doesn't he have the right to the pursuit of happiness?
You have the right to freedom of expression to the point where you can offend others. You have the right to protest. You have the right to protest the government in a way most countries have never ever had. You should not have the right to burn the one thing that tens of thousands of our countrymen have died for.
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Amen! As a veteran I have a unique appreciation for the flag and what it represents and although I respect other's right to express themselves I expect them to do so in a way that demonstrates a fundamental respect for all parties.
IMHO many flag-burners do so merely to provoke a reaction, negative or positive, which (they hope) serves a political agenda. That's pathetic when one feels they can only express themselves by defacing a national symbol rather than developing a persuasive argument with words (which have proven to be monumentally more powerful over the history of man than any symbol burned in effigy).
I too would gladly serve again if called upon to do so and thereby preserve the rights of those who would disrespect this country - but they will never have my respect in return!
