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This flag burning debate is truly astonishing. I mean, right at this moment it is illegal to burn a flag that does not belong to you. It is illegal to go onto someone's property and burn a flag. It is probably illegal to burn one on public property. So, the entire debate is about whether it should be illegal to burn a piece of cloth that you own. It's remarkable that congress would take even a moment to worry about that, especially since we are at war.
Is the American flag a symbol of freedom? Sure it is. It's also probably the most exploited icon anywhere. So, assuming this ridiculous idea becomes part of the highest law in the land, are we to assume that the flag can no longer be used on the wrappers of, let's say, fire crackers? I mean, they burn, albeit very fast. Of course, you could not use a flag in a newspaper ad and the use that newspaper to start your coals on the fourth of July. Supermarkets use the flag on their grocery bags, meaning it would be illegal to throw out the bag because most of that kind of trash is incinerated.
Flags are pieces of cloth that are turned into symbols by sheer happenstance. Those threads could have become a pair of jeans or a bed sheet. Are they symbolic? Of course they are. Does that mean they should not be used to symbolically protest? I would suggest if you truly believe in freedom, as anyone on this board clearly should, then you should also believe in someone's freedom to express themselves even in ways you would find unpleasant.
As the man said, I may not agree with your opinion, but I will fight to the death for your right to express it.
And incidentally, I am a veteran of the US Armed Forces.
Brutal
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