Would you renounce your citizenship if flag burning was banned?

[Guaranteed]

I had a thread on this awhile back- I didn't get much support.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1661578

I would never burn a flag as I believe that it represents something much, much greater than just our country or government. It represents liberty and justice for all, in my mind. However, I realize that not everyone shares that view. And that is their right as an American.

But I will say this right here and now- the day that flag burning is outlawed is the day that I am no longer an American citizen. I can think of nothing that is more directly in opposition to what the founders of our country meant for us, or to what I believe it means to live in America, than to ban speaking out against our by the burning of or other use of our flag. Similarly, there is nothing that makes me prouder as an American than to know that a citizen can go out, whether people choose to or not, and take such a radical action in order to convey how they feel about the state of affairs in our country.

To me, to be able to burn our country's flag is the ESSENCE of a free democracy.

The day that flag-burning is banned is the day that America is truly- OFFICIALLY- no longer America. And I won't stick around. It tears me apart enough that even so many "enlightened" Democrats could cast their votes for such an amendment. I have ZERO respect for that. It's absolutely disgusting. I don't expect them to do what I'd do, but I do expect them to stand up for what's right with their votes.

I'll ask once again, though- If flag burning (or "desecration") was banned in the whole United States, would you renounce your citizenship?

[Massacure]

1. No. I would wipe my ass with it instead!!!

[tridim]

2. No, but I'd burn a flag to show my disgust

I wonder what the definition of "desecrate" is? Does that include signing mini-flags with a sharpie, like Bush did?

[Guaranteed]

5. It had damned well better.

One would also think that such an amendment would also ban OPPOSITIONAL flags- such as the Confederate flag.

How can you fly the Confederate flag and at the same time say that you're remaining loyal to ours?

I don't THINK so.

[Placebo]

3. Banning Flag Burning Is Un-American.

[Democrats_win]

4. I respect the flag. Burn bushes instead.

[Guaranteed]

7. I have the strongest respect for the flag imaginable.

But I respect what it stands for more than the image itself.

[Kraklen]

6. No, but I'd burn a flag.

Big ones. Regularly.

[AlCzervik]

8. yes i'm sure the gop would love love that too happen

no i wouldn't renounce my citizenship over this.

[Guaranteed]

9. We're talking about amending the Constitution, here.

This wouldn't be them getting 52 votes over our 48.

And, unfortunately, there is a lot of support for such an amendment in our country.

Of course, those people are fucking STUPID, and have no idea what it means to live in a free country, but the support is there.

[AlCzervik]

12. it still needs to be sent to all the states, i dont think this will

pass the senate, call me crazy but i dont think it's gonna happen.

[Guaranteed]

14. I don't think it will, either.

But every time they bring it up, I'm going to say the same thing.

[noamnety]

10. oh gosh no

Given republican control of Congress, it's a given that they are going to do whatever damage they can get away with. The longer they spend on BS like this, the less time they have to do long term damage to the country.

It's a moronic proposition, but I hope it gets a nice loooooooooon debate on the floor.

[rzemanfl]

11. Whenever I see a "renounce your citizenship" type post I am

reminded of a joke I used to tell when * was first appointed President. < a. Insert an ethnic first name of group you wish to ridicule> and are interviewing for a job driving a long distance truck. The interviewer says "A. your are driving in the mountains and b. is asleep in the bunk, a school bus full of kids pulls out in front of you and your brakes fail. What do you do?" A. replies "I'd wake up b." The interviewer says "Why?" to which A. replies "B. has never seen an accident like that."

That was my inital view of the * administration, that I'd never seen an accident like that, little did I know...

[Mythsaje]

13. The day it passes I will

RUN UP THE JOLLY ROGER.

oh...did I say that out loud?

[starroute]

15. Outlawing flag-burning is idolatry

I think it was Khephra who once asked if you can be a gnostic agnostic. Well, that's me. I may not know what the alternative is, but I *do* know that the material world is in some sense fallen, an inadequate mirror of true reality. And treating *any* material object as sacred is a violation of my most deeply-held beliefs.

I have never burned a flag in my life, but if this abomination passes, I would have no choice but to be out on the street corner every weekend burning a flag, just to bear witness to the priority of higher reality.

[peekaloo]

16. No but I would request that the Chinese make 'em flame retardant.

:insert ironic smilie:

[despairing optimist]

17. Will someone be punished for burning their flag undies in the dryer?

Or putting the wrong kind of bleach on their flag towel? How about all the other pieces of clothing and cloth that the flag or portions thereof appear on nowadays? Does this mean that corporations wrapping themselves and their products in the flag will be vigorously prosecuted for defacing the national symbol, or will they just be shaken down and forced to cough up extra dough for political campaigns to be left alone?

I think the dollar will trump the flag. It already has.

[DaveinMD]

18. I don't run away when things get tough

I stay and fight and anyone with any fortitude with do the same.

[Lecky]

19. I'd regularly host flag burning bonfires in my backyard

[Telly Savalas]

20. It's my fucking country, not theirs.

I may not haved lived there in a few years, but I'm more American than some fascist prick like Tom DeLay could ever hope to be. No way I'm renouncing my citizenship.

[OneBlueSky]

21. won't happen . . .

by the time this gets to state legislatures (if it ever does), people will be so concerned about other issues and so pissed at BushCo that it won't even be voted on in many states . . .

[Guaranteed]

22. Well, that's the hope. nt