if Americans didn't get so worked up about it and didn't give the people that burn the flags the reactions they were trying to get in the first place then people wouldn't bother as much to do it.

I guess I never realised just how insane we (Americans) go over the flag until I moved to the UK. You only ever see the English flag (not the Union Jack) at sporting events and when someone is seen burning the Union Jack on the news it might get a raised eyebrow but no where near the responses I was used to as a child.

I love my flag. Flag haters can eat my ass. :)

http://www.world-gazetteer.com/fl/fl_ie.gif

I don't think burning a flag has anything to do with freedom of speech. But i don't think it should be against the law, either. It is a form of protest. And it is rather provocative in most cases.

Yes a worn out flag that you plan on replacing then yes burn it with respect.

But I think it is so wrong in so many ways to burn ones own flag. I'm not a flag waver. I don't own a flag . I think that the 4th of July is a day to party and try not to do things too stupid. But at the same time I think burning your own flag is wrong because you are not just burning that flag, you are burning what many people before us have fought for.. Freedom to say "Go fuck youself".

This is a free country but you should not be able to burn the flag that stands for our freedom

just my :2 cents:

Sure it is. As long as the car belongs to you it's called performance art.


Burning a flag you own is freedom of speech. Killing a bird that you don't own and is a protected species in not freedom of speech. There is a difference.

I really don't care as people have a right to protest if they'd like to. Its not like they stole my flag from the front of my house. Now if they come do it in my front yard then we might have a problem.

Canadians don't burn Canadian flags.
Why would we?

So in a "free" country, you shouldn't have the freedom to burn a flag?

Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what you please, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. Recently, it has been commonly understood as encompassing full freedom of expression, including the freedom to create and distribute movies, pictures, songs, dances, and all other forms of expressive communication.

Where is the option "Not good at all, but I defend the right to do it"

??

Yes, Canadians burn flags like everyone else. WTF are you talking about?

Wrong.

Several Canadians in one of our eastern provinces have burned the Canadian flag on several occasions. I'd like to bitchslap each and every one of them, but I do not support removing their right to express their opinions, by burning flags or otherwise.



Censorship sucks and everyone knows it.

no in this country you should be free to dislike or hate the president and protest peacefully but burning a flag is not a peaceful protest. You can hate what this country is today sure but burning a flag is burning the whole idea of the strugles we went through to be free.

I don't care if you agree with me or not, you are free to have your own ideas.

Are you aware that there are Americans that burn the flag every year on the 4th of July to celebrate that freedom? They burn the flag because they can. That's freedom.

How is it not peaceful? It's just cloth burning.

There will always be a few out there that will simply never understand the greater meaning of that.

but these same people will buy a new one to replace their year old flag. There is a difference from burning a flag if you plan on replacing it with a new one. I'm saying it is not right to burn a flag in protest of the current government or whatever.

It's Freedom Baby, Yeah!

http://www.etherworks.ca/quebec/quebec-burnflag.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/3..._flag150ap.jpg

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20ph...ix7_301202.jpg

The Supreme court disagrees with you

"government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea offensive or disagreeable."

it is just a piece of fabric....it is what you make of it

I was infantry in the Army. I never, once, felt that if I went to combat I would be fighting for a flag. When you really get down to it, it isn't a big deal. Burning a flag is a way to show utter contempt for the powers that be. Americans who burn flags aren't usually anti-America. They're anti-establishment. They don't like whoever it is that's calling the shots. They aren't being disrespectful to this country; they're saying fuck you to the special interest pandering politicians sending the bottom 10% of your high school class off to die. It's a way to get your point across. Dread Scott (an artist) had an installation exhibit titled "What is the Proper Way to Display the U.S. Flag?," in which people had to stand on an American flag to write their ideas in a book, and Kate Millet's "The American Dream Goes to Pot" was an exhibit with an American flag half stuffed in a toilet in a jail cell. Both of these were "unacceptable" to the conservative right wing moral majority parrots, but both were considered influential works of art. It's just a flag. And for those of you who wondered why this is considered protectec under freedom of speech... It's because in 1989 the United States Supreme Court said it is free speech.

Fletch. That is probably the best thing I have seen written in some time.. I would have taken that one step further and said,

put down the flag, and step up to the line and do something!

:thumbsup

Just a flag to some. To other a symbol of freedom, and a rallying point.

Many battles have been won, because of " Just a flag".

Way too many people died for that flag to have that shape and those colors!

By the way, it's illegal to burn the Chinese flag in China. The Communist government of China does not allow Chinese people to have this freedom.

Would you like to join them?

bad no doubt and should be illegal in every state which respects itself

That may apply to the "government" but it does not apply to me. Attempt to burn the flag in my presence and I will do whatever becomes necessary to stop you...up to and including taking your life...and to hell with whatever consequences may be applied to me...by the individual/individuals or the "government".

Can you explain the difference here because I'm not getting it.

If I was to take a stack of firewood and set it on fire on the sidewalk in downtown Phoenix, I'm pretty sure I'd go to jail. But I can set fire to a flag and it's no big deal?

http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/Arab...sraeliFlag.jpg

illegal?

you guys want freedom but on,.y for what YOU THINK IS RIGHT.



:1orglaugh

I know a lot about military history, not everything, but a lot. I can't think of one clear cut example of a battle being won because of a flag, unless it's a white flag of surrender. Battles are won by strength and resolve, strategy and tactics. I agree that a flag can instill morale and strengthen resolve, but more battles are won without a flag being seen. This is an argument that will go on and on, and I'm not about to change anyones opinion on this. I'm just sticking up for something I believe to be a privilage (they aren't really rights, since they can be taken away).

you can burn a napkin, or a parking ticket.

arent you military? or used to be?

i think its expected that you are sworn to the flag, its no doubt you cannot stand to see it burned.

you fail to realize there are some of us who dont care.

my family was here BEFORE THE AMERICAN FLAG was even designed.

hahaha

If you burned a flag on public property, you might be arrested for something like reckless endangerment because setting fires in public places can be dangerous. But being arrested for reckless endangerment and being arrested for desecration of the flag are two different things.

You, sir, are a fucking assclown.

You are willing to kill someone for doing something that is legal.

It's ok, he's just brainwashed. It's not his fault.

Are we discussing if its right or wrong? or if it should be illegal?

republican nutjob not respecting freedom of speech..

oops, nothing new about that

Completely indifferent to the whole thing because it's a nonsense, election year issue when it boils down. It is ONLY spoken of by politicians to spark furor. And furor ensues.

The thread topic is a bit vague, I'd say we're discussing both issues.

In all honesty I'm more concerned about people not burning flags, than I am about desecration of a symbol. When people no longer burn flags it means either they don't give a shit, or they're afraid to do it. So either we're apathetic, or we live in a totalitarian regime. Great.

Burning the flag is an act designed to provoke and/or to get a response...and for me it will accomplish both goals.

It's a strong statement to show your discontent with the government... I see nothing wrong with it.

America was a great country..... can be again if we can get a leader that will do more for it's people (ALL it's people) and not just for a handful. One who will put hte US and it's interests above other countries.

:2 cents:

FYI...I am not and have never been a Republican. I respect what our Flag portrays...and do not view its desecration as being "freedom of speech"...and will not tolerate it being desecrated in my presence.