House Looks to Approve Constitutional Amendment Banning Burning an American Flag

AP, via TBO.com ^ | Jun 3, 2003 | By Jesse J. Holland

[greydog]

Anybody that would support this measure somehow reminds me of Jimmy Swaggert.

As repulsive as the act of burning the flag is, it's still a political expression and banning it is the same as banning 30-rd clips to me.

[newgeezer]

This is one issue that separates the men from the emotion- and feelings-driven boys and girls (and fascists).

We don't need no stinkin' flag burning ban.

[Huck]

what an enormous waste of time.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Gee, all the serious problems in the world must be behind us if Congress has time for this sort of nonsense.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I am opposed to messing around with the Constitution for an issue like this. Why not allow our enemies to show themselves?

[Thane_Banquo]

There is a property-rights side as well: Who is the government to tell me whether or not I can burn something that belongs to me?

[zonan]

"The whole purpose of the underlying constitutional amendment prohibition on cross burning is to stifle political expression that we find offensive," said Rep. Robert Scott, D-N.C KKK Byrd. "While I agree that we should respect the flag black people, I do not think it is appropriate to use the criminal code to enforce our views on those who disagree with us (the KKK)."

[newgeezer]

As much as I loathe being on the same side as Nadler and his ilk, they're right (hopefully for all the wrong reasons).

[Senator Pardek]

There is a property-rights side as well: Who is the government to tell me whether or not I can burn something that belongs to me?

Bingo.

[Sam Cree]

I'm with you on this one. If they can ban flag burning, they can criminalize your thoughts. Oh, wait a minute, they already did.

[unixfox]

All I can say is...

GIVE EM AN INCH AND THEY WILL TAKE A THOUSAND MILES.

[newgeezer]

Why not allow our enemies to show themselves?

Exactly. I've always loved that about this country. It's good to know which are the Michael Moores among us.

[Republican Wildcat]

I used to agree with a ban on flag burning -- and was upset with my Senator, Mitch McConnell, for opposing it. Then I heard him once explain it -- "if we are going to put this prohibition in the Constitution, should we also put an amendment in the Constitution banning Roseanne Barr from being able to sing the National Anthem? Where would it stop?" After hearing that, I changed my mind -- not that flag burning is right, but that changing the Constitution is not a practical way of solving the problem.

[newgeezer]

Besides, if and/or when the SCOTUS allows the likes of Algore to recount votes as many times as it may take to produce the winning total -- 5-to-4 was cause enough for outrage, IMHO -- I want every opportunity to express my opinion of the state of our nation.

[Sparta]

This is ridiculous. Just because I think some form of expression or speech is offensive, doesn't give me the right to ban it.

[B Knotts]

If they really want to ban something through a Consitutional amendment, maybe they might consider stopping the slaughter of innocent pre-born children, instead of a silly flag burning ban.

[EvilOverlord]

I'm not sure that destroying a flag counts as freedom of expression. We do have laws against defacing both currency and buildings (graffiti), for instance.

BUT, even if it is a freedom of expression, specific examples such as flag burning don't belong in the Constitution. The Constitution defines our form of government and explicity and implicitly protects our freedoms. This document is not a criminal code and actions such as burning flags, defacing money, grafitti, theft, etc. are not important enough to be in it.

The courts can decide if flag burning falls under first ammendment rights. If so, let it be. If not, add it to the criminal code and deal with it there.

[Arkinsaw]

We would be better served if they would get rid of an amendment or two (popular election of Senators and Income Tax) rather than adding this one.

I'm not sure who they are trying to appeal to with this amendment.

[Sam Cree]

Well, there's probably lots of criminal laws that are unconstitutional. IMO, flag burning would be one of them if it were passed.

However an amendment banning it is in direct conflict with the first amendment, IMO.

[sackofcatfood]

If you *really* want to stop public flag burning, cities could pass fire ordnances against it. . .