Flag Burning
Today the US Senate considers a proposed constitutional amendment to make burning the flag illegal.
Now I understand why it would be illegal to burn your neighbor's flag, or to burn the flag you stole from the local city hall, but how does anyone think it's appropriate to make it illegal to burn your own property? Because it's a symbol of the country? Well, duh. That's why it's chosen for burning by those vehemently opposed to some portion of American politics. That doesn't mean it should be illegal!
When Islamics threw such a fuss over the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammad...it was made out to be religious fanaticism, a joke to be laughed at...but burning the flag is different only in the sense that it's not a religious topic. It's the same basic principle, freedom of speech, and it's something this country was founded on. It's pretty sad when we'll defend the rights of Danish cartoonists but not American protesters.
Burning the flag is, at it's essence, another way to speak out against the government. That's it...that's all it is. It' s constitutionally protected freedom of speech. There is absolutely no basis for making this activity illegal except to lay the foundation for the stripping of other freedoms.
The first amendment to the constitution says:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Let's break the first amendment down into it's parts, shall we?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof (referring to religion still)
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press
Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble
Congress shall make no law abridging the abridging the freedom to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
NO LAW...Congress shall make no law.
How can burning the flag be considered anything BUT free speech? Therefore, how can this even be considered as a viable law?
Now I understand why it would be illegal to burn your neighbor's flag, or to burn the flag you stole from the local city hall, but how does anyone think it's appropriate to make it illegal to burn your own property? Because it's a symbol of the country? Well, duh. That's why it's chosen for burning by those vehemently opposed to some portion of American politics. That doesn't mean it should be illegal!
When Islamics threw such a fuss over the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammad...it was made out to be religious fanaticism, a joke to be laughed at...but burning the flag is different only in the sense that it's not a religious topic. It's the same basic principle, freedom of speech, and it's something this country was founded on. It's pretty sad when we'll defend the rights of Danish cartoonists but not American protesters.
Burning the flag is, at it's essence, another way to speak out against the government. That's it...that's all it is. It' s constitutionally protected freedom of speech. There is absolutely no basis for making this activity illegal except to lay the foundation for the stripping of other freedoms.
The first amendment to the constitution says:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Let's break the first amendment down into it's parts, shall we?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof (referring to religion still)
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press
Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble
Congress shall make no law abridging the abridging the freedom to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
NO LAW...Congress shall make no law.
How can burning the flag be considered anything BUT free speech? Therefore, how can this even be considered as a viable law?
posted by Ayanla at 2:07 PM
1 Comments:
Your right it can't be.
I think the general feeling is that those who are pasionate about their patriotism, are offended.
There are those that are offended by Pornography, but there are no laws being passed by congress to ban pornography.
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