<p>Sorry, I didn't want to hijack the pledge thread so I started this one instead. </p>
<p>What are your views on flag burning in America?</p>
<p>Personally, I am dead set against it (even though I am extremely liberal) because I come from a military family and I see the burning of the flag as degrading to the people who died for us in wars. I don't believe it should be banned though either because I'm honestly just not sure it would do anything other than make far left people angry.</p>
<p>I’m not much of a fan myself, but so long as it is treated the same as any other fire, I guess they can hate the country, and they will only get more annoying if they can’t burn flags anyway. It’s kind of a silly issue to me, because the only way most of us would know is by the media, which love stirring up some pointless controversy.</p>
<p>It was cleared up by the Supreme Court in Texas in the eighties anyway. Protected free speech, and I suppose that’s that.</p>
<p>On a personal level I’m Very opposed to flag burning. I think that people who do want to burn the flag should just leave the country since they obviously hate it that much. However, I don’t think it should be illegal because that would interfere with people’s first amendment rights, and I wouldn’t favor an amendment banning it since it SHOULD be the right of everyone to express whatever feelings they want even if others disagree.</p>
<p>It’s not so much that I am “for” flag burning as that I don’t see why it should be illegal. I think that although the Flag is a symbol, it is also an item – bought and sold and owned by its buyers. They can do whatever they want.</p>
<p>The government simply does not have the right to say one cannot burn the American flag. I agree that it is degrading and immoral, but it would be even more immoral if it was illegal to exercise a power/right that neither causes any physical harm nor limits anyone else’s rights.</p>
<p>^ It’s not illegal. Awhile ago they tried to pass an amendment to ban it, but if failed to pass the senate by one vote. Right now it would be unconstitutional to make it illegal.</p>
<p>I think the people who do it are either idiots for not understanding its symbolism or actually hate America (my recommendation for further action would be renouncing citizenship and leaving). It is a 1st Amendment right, so they can be as hateful/idiotic as they want, as long as they don’t infringe on anyone else’s rights.</p>
<p>On the physical level, flag burning is just the same as burning any ordinary piece of cloth. On a psychological level, you aren’t going to change anybody’s opinion by outlawing flag burning. So there’s really no point to it.</p>
<p>Besides, if you outlaw it you’ll only strengthen the cause of the people who burn flags. Just go on with your life and ignore them. Eventually they’ll go away.</p>
<p>I am totally against it, yet there are so many other BIG issues that personally effect (affect?) the lives of Americans on a day-to-day basis that, though it should be criminal to degrade a country that hold so much good, I could not justify the time it would take congress to pass such an amendment which could be spent elsewhere making a physical, positive difference in the lives of its people.</p>
<p>Haha, I sound like john kerry discussing abortion!</p>
<p>You are given this right. If anything, it’s censorship to deny you it - we burn flags when we dispose them, so the only thing we’re preventing if we disallow flag-burning, is freedom of speech. This, of course, goes against the grain of our nation’s philosophy. If anything, we shouldn’t be afraid of this form of (peaceful) protest… and if we are, then does that say anything about just how much stuff we collectively need to fix?</p>
<p>You see a great nihilist/anarchist in my face who opposes organized politics and thinks that politicians are a bunch <don’t want=“” to=“” get=“” banned=“” again=“”>. Therefore, I deeply respect US in the matter that it allows me to burn flag to express myself. If I would ever burn flag I would only do to show how much I respect the US for the freedom it gives me.</don’t></p>
<p>Symbols are a childish and weak way to show patriotism… read up on the Supreme Court opinons on the Pledge of Allegiance cases. If someone truly loved America, they would love the First Amendment right that gives them the ability to express their views, even if their views are hated.</p>
<p>Not all people share the same symbols. For example, someone could burn a flag but that does not mean they are “degrading” the troops.</p>
<p>The flag is a piece of cloth. That’s it. That’s like you taking your college sweater off and burning it. So what?</p>
<p>On a psychological level, it’s STILL A GODDAMN PIECE OF CLOTH. It’s not a symbol, it’s not representative of America, or whatever BS you want to spew at me. It’s still a piece of cloth. As long as you own it, you are free to do whatever you want to it. So what?</p>
<p>If it is just a piece of cloth, then why take the time to burn it? Obviously it must mean something more than just being a piece of cloth if people make such a big deal out of it. It is completely justified to vent frustration at the government or those in power, because they have corrupted the ideals that our nation is supposed to stand for. A flag stands for those ideals and freedoms. So don’t waste time burning a flag. Those who protest and rally do so because they love their country and want to change it for the better. If anything, these are the truest of patriots. Be the positive change you want to see, so that our country can one day live the ideals that our flag represents. Burning that flag, while I understand why it should be allowed by law, really is unnecessary.</p>
<p>It’s unnecessary, but as long as they own it they’re free to do as they see fit with it. I don’t burn flags, nor do I care. I don’t think it’s in a government’s place to tell you what you can/can’t do with your own property.</p>
<p>Why would you burn the flag of one of humankind’s greatest liberators and progressers? To do so either shows you are ignorant, evil, or simply a complete idiot.</p>
<p>I’d say allow the government to pursue those who do such a maddening and disgraceful action. It’s as bad as wearing a nazi-shirt and burning effigies of jewish people.</p>
<p>^I’m almost positive both of those are also legal.</p>
<p>I don’t really like the pro-American rhetoric, myself. It’s too strong, it seems almost mocking in nature. The flag isn’t always a symbol of liberation, and the definition of progress isn’t something easily agreed upon.</p>