4 posters

Flag Burning

Chris

Chris: Chamber Admin.; Join date : 2010-01-30
Location : Oak Park, Michigan
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Post n°1

Flag Burning

by Chris Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:32 am

Do you think burning the American flag should be against the law?

Alan Smithee

Alan Smithee: ...is a 20G Chamber DIETY.; Join date : 2010-09-03
Location : 40º44’18.33”N 73º58’31.82”W
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Post n°2

Re: Flag Burning

by Alan Smithee Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:40 am

Do I think the Constitution should be amended to prevent it? I'm neutral. As far as protesting U.S. citizens burning it.

CeCe

CeCe: …is a Chamber DEITY.; Join date : 2010-06-30
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Post n°3

I don't see the point in burning a flag. It's the kind of thing that seems to be intended to just draw attention to the burner. And I'll acknowledge I did laugh at that one picture we've all seen. But..should the Constitution be amended? Not no but HELL no. There should only be changes that right a wrong for the people. A country that values its symbols above its citizens has its priorities out of order.

Shale

Shale: ...is a Chamber Royal.; Join date : 2010-09-27
Location : Miami Beach
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Post n°4

Re: Flag Burning

by Shale Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:08 pm

Chris wrote:Do you think burning the American flag should be against the law?

It is a form of protest (and yes it does draw attention or what's the point?).

It is protected as free speech and I don't like to see any infringement on free speech, however distasteful it might be. We tolerate the Klan and Neo Nazi's in public and that too is distasteful.

So, if you own the flag and wish to demonstrate by burning it - and face all the possible illegal ramifications to your person for doing so, it at least should be legal. If you burn someone else's flag then we already have laws against that.

CeCe

CeCe: …is a Chamber DEITY.; Join date : 2010-06-30
Posts : 11962
Rep : 326

Post n°5

Re: Flag Burning

by CeCe Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:37 pm

Shale wrote:

Chris wrote:Do you think burning the American flag should be against the law?

It is a form of protest (and yes it does draw attention or what's the point?).

It is protected as free speech and I don't like to see any infringement on free speech, however distasteful it might be. We tolerate the Klan and Neo Nazi's in public and that too is distasteful.

So, if you own the flag and wish to demonstrate by burning it - and face all the possible illegal ramifications to your person for doing so, it at least should be legal. If you burn someone else's flag then we already have laws against that.

I think protests are great. But they seem pointless unless they have some realistic potential to bring about change. For me flag burning is the equivalent of the online petition. It might make the "signer" or in this case burner feel better but nothing really changes. But certainly, people are within their legal right to do it. And it should remain that way. A symbol should never be held in higher regard that the people. For the most part we need to leave the Constitution the hell alone.