Cranky on Flag Burning
I am against flag burning. Given the right mood and two working arms, I would beat your ass for burning an American flag in front of me. It should be illegal as it pertains to fire codes. In other words, I would have no problem with someone getting arrested for setting a flag on fire in a place where fires are not permitted.
I also believe that a "permitted fire" burning a flag is a protected statement. It's a deplorable one, but a First Amendment protected statement none the less. Of course an amendment to the Constitution would change that, but I don't think it will pass. According to the AP there are enough Senators publicly opposed to the amendment to kill it.
It's really just posturing. We've seen a lot of that lately. Flag burning is nothing more than a 2006 Election wedge. I can hear it now in that female smear voice, " Congressman Yadayada supports flag burning" while footage of Arabs burning a US flag roles. "He voted against an amendment that would make this a crime." Over more footage of middle-east flag burning. "Is this the person you want in Washington fighting terrorism?" Now, quick cut to the famous flag flying at the WTC wreckage after 9/11. "Joe Goodguy knows what this flag stands for." Change tone of music and slowly fade to close-up image of soldier saluting a flag at Arlington, the firemen carrying the body of a fellow fireman out of the WTC with the flag draped over him or a soldier in a Humvee with a flag on the antenna....
Anyway, you get the idea. Use this issue to show one guy "with the terrorists" and one guy "for America." Whip up those emotions. Just think of Max Cleland.
So does my stance on Flag Burning make me a bad Liberal? Maybe. I would not join a protest in which flags were being burned, but I would join one to protect the right to do it. Is there something wrong with my morals because I believe something is morally detestable but don't think it should be outlawed? I don't think so.
I also believe that a "permitted fire" burning a flag is a protected statement. It's a deplorable one, but a First Amendment protected statement none the less. Of course an amendment to the Constitution would change that, but I don't think it will pass. According to the AP there are enough Senators publicly opposed to the amendment to kill it.
It's really just posturing. We've seen a lot of that lately. Flag burning is nothing more than a 2006 Election wedge. I can hear it now in that female smear voice, " Congressman Yadayada supports flag burning" while footage of Arabs burning a US flag roles. "He voted against an amendment that would make this a crime." Over more footage of middle-east flag burning. "Is this the person you want in Washington fighting terrorism?" Now, quick cut to the famous flag flying at the WTC wreckage after 9/11. "Joe Goodguy knows what this flag stands for." Change tone of music and slowly fade to close-up image of soldier saluting a flag at Arlington, the firemen carrying the body of a fellow fireman out of the WTC with the flag draped over him or a soldier in a Humvee with a flag on the antenna....
Anyway, you get the idea. Use this issue to show one guy "with the terrorists" and one guy "for America." Whip up those emotions. Just think of Max Cleland.
So does my stance on Flag Burning make me a bad Liberal? Maybe. I would not join a protest in which flags were being burned, but I would join one to protect the right to do it. Is there something wrong with my morals because I believe something is morally detestable but don't think it should be outlawed? I don't think so.
posted by Cranky Yankee at 9:57 AM
5 Comments:
This is gonna hurt me to say, but I think I uh...arrrggg...damn...aaaaahhh..fuck... agree with you.
There I said it.
I agree with you, Cranky. I despise anyone who would burn the flag, but still...they have a right to make a statement.
I read a good article by on the libertarian Volokh blog that said that if you ban flaf burning, you should also ban the flying of the Confederate flag, as they could be construed as equivalently symbolic acts: disrespectful of those that fought under the US flag.
True. It's an attempt to make it this year's gay marriage debate.
fascinating that people are so hung up by a bit of material (usually not made in the US but China) and it's symbolic value is enough to hurt people.
they wouldn't burn your flag if you didn't make such a fuss.
good post on it here: http://haloscan.com/tb/politicalmoose/111949286749119027 but I'll quote a bit:
"It's hard to argue that we need to protect the flag when it's made by some little girl in Malasia for less than a penny.
Congress should first honor the flag by ensuring that it's made in the U.S., (and we're not talking about prison labor either) for a reasonable wage. Then I could understand why they believe it's worth protecting."
Christ, I can't believe this particular issue is still around.
Paraphrasing a Supreme Court Justice (I wish I could remember who said it), a basic tenet of Freedom of Speech is allowing, even defending the speech, even when you find the words detestible.
Yeharr
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