united nations make a chain; every link is Freedom's name; keep your hand on the plow, hold on

[primroseburrows]

House Approves Move to Ban Flag Burning

I would never, ever burn an American flag, or any flag. But it seems to me that freedom of speech is a constitutional right, and freedom of expression is a fundamental one. Hopefully, the U.S. Senate will agree.

Oh, and this is fun, too. (link from patchfire)

Comments

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

The election didn't make me want to give up on my country.

Some days, though, I wonder where my breaking point is.

[falconcat.livejournal.com]

I would never burn a flag either. That isn't the point. To me it's taking yet another freedom away from us. This country is really starting to scare me.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

It's been scaring me for a while. THESE PEOPLE IN POWER DO NOT GET IT AT ALL.

[falconcat.livejournal.com]

They get it. They just don't care.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I wonder, though, whether Dubya gets it, or whether he really believes the crap he's spewing.

[mark356.livejournal.com]

I don't understand. I thought that it was part of the Flag Code to show respect for the flag by burning them when they were worn out rather than, say, throwing them in the trash.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I think that's Flag Etiquette _TM, rather than the act of burning a flag in protest.

I think that when a government starts banning protest, it's starting to rule by fear. And in a way, it works, 'cause geez. This is scary.

[peacey.livejournal.com]

I find even the *thought* of burning our flag revolting and reprehensible. But. It is a form of free speech and needs to be protected. What scares me more than this though, is the Supreme Court's decision to allow cities and communities to seize your home (compensating you at "fair market value, whatever that is) if they determine it would be economically beneficial to the community (i.e to build a hotel, community center, offices, etc). How can this be constitutional???

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

How can this be constitutional???

I honestly dno't know. When I was a kid the town took a piece of our yard to build a sidewalk. I guess that's understandable (and different than building condos or offices), but even then I thought that it wasn't quite right.

And you're right. I'd never burn a flag, from any country. But I want the right to do it. Because last time I looked, freedom of speech was a constitutional right.