Comments on: Veterans Support Amendment to Protect Flag
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By bocephusj57 on 05-11-12 @ 2:13 pm
There’s this pesky little complication called the First Amendment you seem to be forgettingabout. It’s gonna be impossible to have an amendment allowing for government repression of
speech when that is what the First Amendment prohibits.
But, if we could outlaw wearing flag-motif clothing, that would be fine because it would really
upset the rightwingnut fauxtriots. But, the First Amendment rears its pesky little head there too.
There is nothing sacred about the flag. To use the word ‘sacred’ is to imply a religious
significance. There is no religious connotation conferred upon it, except as a contrivance by
the god-botherers.
By Dmitry on 05-11-12 @ 4:36 pm
Things are looking up in on-line commenting. Hankie is right that the best end to every USA flagis in flames, and bocephusj57 is perfectly correct when he hints that the freedoms the flag
represents might just be important. If there is no freedom to symbolize, and if the flag cannot
be afforded some dignity, it isn’t worth protecting. The letter’s author, Mr. Palmer, makes a
good point that it’s a shame people don’t respect the flag. It is a shame. So shame on them. And
may they be free to be that way. And we may be free to shame them. But taking freedoms away is
no way to set a positive example for freedom. So, shame on all those freedom-disrespecting
jerks; and double shame on all those freedom-disrespecting jerks as well. Burn a flag if you’re
a patriot, burn it in effigy if you’re a jerk. Frown about it if you want, but don’t “there
oughta be a law” around me.
By Dmitry on 05-11-12 @ 5:02 pm
Aw, shucks. In the first instance of “freedom-disrespecting” I meant “flag-disrespecting”.
By bopho on 05-11-12 @ 9:29 pm
What is flag desecration anyway? It’s is probably in the eyes of the beholder. If you walked into somebody’s house and saw that they were using a flag as a table cloth, are they desecrating the
flag? Well here is a photo that I have always liked. The President of the United States and the
General of the Army of the Potomac using a flag as a table cloth! Send in the flag police.
http://jobokon.com/flag
By T73 on 05-12-12 @ 6:53 am
Searching Google news, I don’t see thousands of unAmericans ravaging flag poles and burning ourgreat American symbol. It doesn’t appear to be a problem. There are plenty of instances from
other countries but not in the US. On the rare occasion where it makes the news, it usually
ends with “...was charged and fined $XXX and given a suspended sentence.” Laws already exist to
protect the flag.
To me, the flag is a proud symbol of America which is defined by the US Constitution. I would
be very reluctant to change something as vital as the Constitution to protect a symbol. I don’t
see wisdom in that but I do see potential danger.
The last great wave of flag burning I remember was during the Vietnam War protests. I didn’t
like the war and I didn’t like the flag burning but the Constitution was not damaged Protesters
were obviously exercising their Freedom of Speech and while chilling, it did far less damage
than rocks thrown by rioters.
I prefer existing laws defend America’s flag. The flag will be just fine. More important, I
want our Senators and Representatives to defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution.
By mooseberryinn on 05-13-12 @ 8:45 am
Liberals will always raise the “freedom of speech” issue if it serves their purpose. Otherwise…not so much.
By montanaeasy56 on 05-14-12 @ 7:02 am
Back in the day when the flag was the honored symbol of this country, people had great respect for the flag. Back when this contry was first started and after the two world wars,
people were proud to fly our “symbol” of how great this nation was. Now, we spend all our
money on foreign products, allow American companies to take American jobs overseas for that
almighty profit. Maybe it would be more fitting to change our flag to one that better represents
America nowadays…maybe one that looks like the almighty dollar..that is what we worship in
this country anymore…at any cost.
By T73 on 05-14-12 @ 7:06 am
I’m not liberal. I’m very independent.If conservatives don’t value Freedom of Speech, I’m certainly not one of those, either. There
is a reason the Founding Fathers made Freedom of Speech the 1st Amendment.
The problem for some people is that, in order for the 1st Amendment to work properly, not only
do you have to use it but you also have to give it to those you disagree with. Welcome to America.
By ICallB.S. on 05-14-12 @ 5:15 pm
There will be no flag protection amendment. Guaranteed. Btw, I have a flag that has been replaced with a new one as it has gotten damaged and faded. What do I do with the old one?
Can I burn it in my outdoor fire pit?
By bocephusj57 on 05-14-12 @ 8:39 pm
I will refer you to the info and the link in Hankie’s first comment. If you feel you can abideby that process appropriately as a DIY effort, go for it.
Or, contact a Post officer at your nearest VFW (American Legion?) and see if they will accept it
for proper disposal.
By Gabby Johnson on 05-17-12 @ 6:54 am
With respect to Gunny Palmer for his service to our country, I beg to disagree with his call fora Constitutional amendment because I agree with the Supreme Court decision that First Amendment
free speech protections should not be curtailed because of rare, despicable cases of flag burning.
Whenever I see film of angry mobs in places like Pakistan burning our flag, I am reminded that
we enjoy freedoms that those people will never know.
Note: The headline should read “some veterans support amendment to protect flag” because some
other veterans served to protect free speech and the opinions of veterans on the issue are not
universal.
By STVFB on 05-18-12 @ 1:05 pm
I don’t agree with Tester on much, but I agree on this issue. Like it or not, flag burning is 1st amendment protected speech. If that offends you too bad.
The bottom line is this: the constitution would not have been ratified without the first 10
amendments. Without the Bill of Rights there is no Constitution. Any attempt to remove or weaken
any part of it will void the entire compact. That is not a road you want to go down.
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