Burn, baby, burn

[free]

The flag buring amendment failed to pass by one vote. Oh well, I guess the GOP will have to find other ways to get their flock to the polls.

Flag burning: it's free speech. Hooray free speech!

[bigred760]

I think it would've been a win/win situation. If it didn't pass, then free speech wins, if it did then it would be illegal to burn an American symbol - a great one like the American flag.

But I do agree that the Republicans were pushing this just because their poll numbers ain't looking too good.

[outsyder]

If all Republicans voted for it, it would have passed. It takes an effort from members on both sides to stop this from happening, and I'm glad that happened.

[MacReady]

Originally posted by outsyder
If all Republicans voted for it, it would have passed. It takes an effort from members on both sides to stop this from happening, and I'm glad that happened.

Only 3 abstained.

As for this issue, I don't quite understand what bigred means. He says it was a victory free speech, while saying that it would've also been okay for it to pass, even thought that would've been a blow to America's free speech rights.

Anyhow, I'm truly happy this thing passed. The American flag is nothing more than a piece of fabric that represents something. I can see why people would be offended by it, but it's like seeing a photo of a love oned being destroyed. People overseas can burn a piece of fabric, but it was the people in that senate that came close to actually harming what that fabric was about.

Dammit, I'm gonna go in the quotes thread now.

[bigred760]

I'm just saying that while I'm all for free speech (especially in movies, TV, and music), I'm not exactly for burning the flag. It may be considered free speech, but I'm just not for it - I consider it very unpatriotic.

[electriclite]

Originally posted by bigred760
I'm just saying that while I'm all for free speech (especially in movies, TV, and music), I'm not exactly for burning the flag. It may be considered free speech, but I'm just not for it - I consider it very unpatriotic.


Hey I don't like that the KKK can go march in Anytown, USA and put their brand of "logic" on display for all to see, but I don't want the government to make it illegal because then it just makes it easier for them to go back and do the same to some other group you never intended that ruling to apply towards.

Making it illegal to burn the flag has farther reaching consequences than just burning it. I don't like it either, but I also don't like what could happen as a result of making it a crime.

Remember, part of being patriotic is defending certain things you don't like so they don't go back and attack the things you do.

And anyway, these days most flag-burning goes on overseas, so making it against the law here wasn't going to change much in that regard.

[bigred760]

Originally posted by electriclite
Hey I don't like that the KKK can go march in Anytown, USA and put their brand of "logic" on display for all to see, but I don't want the government to make it illegal because then it just makes it easier for them to go back and do the same to some other group you never intended that ruling to apply towards.

Making it illegal to burn the flag has farther reaching consequences than just burning it. I don't like it either, but I also don't like what could happen as a result of making it a crime.

Remember, part of being patriotic is defending certain things you don't like so they don't go back and attack the things you do.

And anyway, these days most flag-burning goes on overseas, so making it against the law here wasn't going to change much in that regard.

I agree 100%. I didn't say it should be illegal, at least I didn't mean to. I just said I was against it. :)

[Lynn7]

Rush Limbaugh brought up an interesting point on his show today. He asked what would happen if someone burned the gay pride flag or something like that. It was interesting because I think that action would be interpretted as hate speech.

It's not that I think flag buring should be illegal but I do think that it is a symbol of what our country stands for and should be respected and that anyone who chooses to burn it should be treated with disdain.

[MacReady]

Originally posted by Lynn7
Rush Limbaugh brought up an interesting point on his show today. He asked what would happen if someone burned the gay pride flag or something like that. It was interesting because I think that action would be interpretted as hate speech.

It's not that I think flag buring should be illegal but I do think that it is a symbol of what our country stands for and should be respected and that anyone who chooses to burn it should be treated with disdain.

It's not very interesting considering he hates gays. Not to mention the fact that if somebody were to burn the gay pride flag, it would likely be a big league homophobe. This law meant that the people who live under the manner couldn't show their disgust at their nation in a filty, juvenile way.

What I'm saying is that neither of those sentiments should be banned. I think we can shun neo-nazis, flag burners and WBC protesters, but it's not wise to allow government to suddenly start telling it's citizens what to do.

Finally, they are indeed treated with disdain. I really wouldn't want to be caught burning the old stars and stripes south of the border.

[EVILxxx]

I despise flag burning but I despise unnecessary government regulation even more.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by Lynn7
Rush Limbaugh brought up an interesting point on his show today. He asked what would happen if someone burned the gay pride flag or something like that. It was interesting because I think that action would be interpretted as hate speech.

It's not that I think flag buring should be illegal but I do think that it is a symbol of what our country stands for and should be respected and that anyone who chooses to burn it should be treated with disdain.


I love it - as if there are Americans and then there are Gays - As if gays can't be offended by the burning of the American flag, but Oh No, Sister - Don't mess with the rainbow!

Great use of language to create the illusion that people may be divided about ideals because of completely unrelated reasons.

Yes, Rush - when people start disagreeing with the gay politics that run their everyday life and set out to burn rainbow flags, we will see how right you are with your infinite wisdom. :rolleyes:

Oh yeah - and burning the American flag to show you disagree with politics is about like burning your underwear to cure constipation. At least Mr. Show taught us why you can't shit on the flag.

[someguy]

Gentlemen, I have found a way to solve all of our problems! We can make a flag, OUT OF SHIT!