Since we're on a government kick today...

[paultakeda]

US House passes flag-burning ban.... AGAIN (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4122814.stm)

But this time, the Senate may finally crack and approve it as well.

Why such an amendment won't matter to people who plan on burning the flag in protest (http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/003585.html), since they can get around it EASILY and LEGALLY.

[mike]

38 out of 50 states must approve over the next 7 years to make it an amendment

[Troike]

heard about this yesterday ... odd that it has more [Congressional] support now, when the country is rather divided on certain issues, than during the post-9/11 era.


Why such an amendment won't matter to people who plan on burning the flag in protest (http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/003585.html), since they can get around it EASILY and LEGALLY.

I wonder how much of that satire is true? I'd have to read the actual text of the law to see, I suppose. That, and see how it might be applied if approved.
If I recall correctly, wasn't there a law such as this passed during the first Bush Administration, ultimately struck down by the SCOTUS?
Perhaps that is why this must be a Constitutional Amendment.

If this somehow passed (I can't imagine 38 of 50 states approving it .. certainly the advocates would be extremely vocal, but some civil libertarians would likely raise a strong opposition in many of the liberal states), I'd imagine the law would only encourage violations of the law. Not many people burn flags domestically these days - even at protests - and when they do, no one cares. Make it illegal, and suddenly it will be an oft-repeated statement.

Besides, who the f* cares? Yes, I love freedom, and appreciate that our country is more free than most others (not to say it is better or any less evil, but we have a few more rights at least). But even if I would die to defend my country/family/state from a foreign invasion by a power aiming to destroy our freedoms and impose dictatorial rule and oppression on us, how is a symbolic piece of cloth attatched to our freedoms so strongly that it cannot stand desecration?
Anyone who attatches so much meaning to the symbol - which is meant to protect freedoms like speech and oppression - as to be offended by someone who clearly doesn't appreciate it anyway (or appreciates it enough to use it as a tool to further their own right to free speech and expression) enough to ban any mistreatment of the sacred, mass-produced colorful cloth is probably more dangerous than the person destroying it.

Besides, if a protestor buys and burns a flag, they're contributing to the economy, right?
Charge them with illegal discharge of pollutants into the air, maybe, but leave their right to demonstrate as they see fit alone, so long as they don't physically harm anyone else.

[madajb]

I wonder how much of that satire is true? I'd have to read the actual text of the law to see, I suppose. That, and see how it might be applied if approved.
Well, the amendment is pretty clear that you'd have to be burning an actual flag, not something that looks a lot like it.

"The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

Of course, buring a pseudo-flag kind of defeats the purpose...
heh.

-ajb

[cynicalgeek]

I suppose they'll start enforcing flag etiquette as well? Not flying in dark, proper folding, etc...

Is there a provision for proper disposal by burning, since that is how it's supposed to be done? The U.S. Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning".

[ncttrnl]

I suppose they'll start enforcing flag etiquette as well? Not flying in dark, proper folding, etc...



That should be done as a matter of pride. Enforcing the proper treatment of a symbol of our country would take the meaning out of the actions. People wouldn't do it out of pride anymore.

The people that have a beef with the country and feel the need to burn a flag in protest probably wouldn't care too much about the other rituals anyway. They are just looking for their voices to be heard and, whether we agree with them or not, I think its a pretty clear cut use of their own freedom of speech.

I personally don't see how burning a flag would get my point across but there is no way in hell I think we should make it illegal.

BTW, they do have services you bring your old flags to so you can have them properly destroyed. I forget where we called for our old one.

[madajb]

BTW, they do have services you bring your old flags to so you can have them properly destroyed. I forget where we called for our old one.
The VFW usually does it.
Also the Boy Scouts on Flag Day (which just passed).

-ajb