GOP doesn't want a flag burning amendment. It wants flag burning!

[Pobeka]

Think about this.

This is yet another ploy.

Question: What is one *sure* thing to happen as a result of this?

Answer: Some people will start burning flags to make a point.

GOP is drooling at the prospect. Pictures on TV of "anti-patriotic" "not-worthy-to-be-citizens" burning flags. The GOP media machine will be all over it.

Another great wedge issue. You know what, it will bring back the specter of the Vietnam days to many older folks, like my parents, when the country was more actively divided than it is now. I say active because protests were common on college campuses etc. and there was much more fear in the minds of many that they may witness or be a victim of physical attack.

GOP is tearing this country apart, bit by bit. This is just another fear tactic. Not to be ignored, but we need to outsmart them on it.

[RobertSeattle]

1. How about a Flame Retardant Flag Amendment?

:evilgrin:

[Devlzown]

2. I think it's just a distraction.

They can talk about flag burning while millions are without health care and the economy is going to shit. Not to mention this ill-begotten war. The flag amendment will never be; we all know that, but it makes it look like they're doing something up in Washington.

[Pobeka]

3. Wait until there is video of flags being burned on the nightly news.

Then you'll really see a distraction, and more division.

They could give a rip about the amendment, they want pictures of people burning flags. A divided country is what keeps them in power.

[Devlzown]

8. Maybe you're right.

The quality of our tv news is so low that anything is possible. They could show the same twelve people burning flags every night and make it look like some kind of a trend. I do know, however, that they've tried to make an amendment before and it failed. If something else happened that would escalate tensions, perhaps, I would say you might be on to something.

[me b zola]

4. Bingo->they are counting on it

The caldron from which boogie-men are born.

[Liberal In Texas]

5. It's a distraction. Don't buy into it. They started this BS in the'60's

Hmmm, another time, another war.

My best advice is to let them have the law (not an ammendment). It's NBD.We have more important fish to fry, and this flag thing will come back to haunt them: they worried about flag burning when we needed good laws.

[Pobeka]

7. People like you and me know that. Many don't.

And that's what the GOP is counting on -- spurring some people into burning flags.

This flag thing has deep symbolic meaning to many people, and it will be evidence of "traitors" on the left. No one will think that a conservative would burn a flag.

This is more than a distraction, it's a divisive strategy to firm up the moderate support of the GOP.

[Liberal In Texas]

9. We are agreed, Pobeka.

It's kind of what I'm trying to say.

DON'T LET THEM DISTRACT US FROM WHAT'S IMPORTANT!

...because they're quite good at that.

Yes, the image of the burning flag in the Middle East or in Berkely is powerful. But that's exactly what it's supposed to do, grab an American's attention.

I can NOT imagine Thomas Jefferson or George Washington caring one wit about burning ANY flag. Only, that Betsy would have to sew another one.

[Pobeka]

11. Yep. And if I put on my tinfoil hat...

I think the GOP will have their own plants set up to start burning flags.

I wish we had a functioning media!

[Liberal In Texas]

16. I wouldn't put it past them. We must not NOT fall into their plan.

And that's what it is. THEIR plan.

We always fall into the trap of how they define the argument, they always define the arena. They're trying it now. DON'T DO IT!

We need to be above the noise this flag thing is going to cause.

[DemonFighterLives]

23. I was thinking the same thing when I srarted reading the thread

Rove is training some freepers how to light matches as we speak.

Does anyone ever wonder why our elected officials never get anything of substance done. They fart around with these faux patriotic issues instead of getting to the real important stuff. I mean there sure are a lot of flags burning for us to be concerned with.
This is just like dubby's daddy going to the flag factory. Eehah, flag sales are up and the yellow ribbons will make a comeback.

:headbang:

[electricray]

6. I think this is just a move to gain campaign fodder.

This move, in my opinion, is designed to catch Dems who might be feeling their oats of late. They hope to get 'no' votes out of the Durbins and Clintons. They know that Democrats tend to defend civil rights so they will use it against them. What they are too stupid to realize is that, regardless of how the Dems vote, the law will never pass the constitutionality test. It may not even pass the state ratification test. If I am not mistaken this amendment needs more than a simple majority in congress as well as a 3/4 ratification. This is all opinion based on rudimentary, incomplete knowledge I would love it if someone finds flaws and sets me straight. That is the only way I can learn more.

[bushcrab]

10. We need to wave flags with "Save America, Impeach bush"

signs at the top of each mast. Right back at them, the mo-fos.

They've stolen the symbol of our great nation from us, turning it into a symbol of support for bush arrogance and aggression. It's time to clarify what our flag really represents.

[Pobeka]

12. Agree 100% ! n/t

[aaronnyc]

13. Correct

They want to show war protesters burning flags, or at the very least, they want to force the Democrats to defend the practice of flag burning. Either way they will be able to say that those who oppose the war (and are either burning flags or defending the legality of it) hate America and support the terrorists.

The GOP understands that the flag burning amendment has about as much a chance of passing as the Gay marriage amendment - none. They are simply trying to create another wedge issue which will win them votes. They know that they can really hurt the Democrats, if the public starts to link them with those who burn U.S.

[Pobeka]

14. .. if the public starts to link Dems with flag burners ...

Exactly. Exactly.

This is how they intend to frame this issue.

[Swamp Rat]

15. Of course, because THEY have a replacement flag.

[Pobeka]

17. eewww. n/t

[Swamp Rat]

18. Thank you

:D

[Devlzown]

19. That reminds me of those Confederate rainbow flags.

Sometimes seen here in the South. Don't quite know what to make of those. Love your art, by the way, Swamp Rat!

[Swamp Rat]

21. Way'at Devlzown!

Dat's what happens when log cabin rednecks from Stone County secretly go to New Orleans late at night on a regular basis. :D

See, this dude normally hates everybody that ain't a neoconthuglican wasp - a REAL DITTO HEAD - but give him tons of cheap beer on Mardi Gras and watch her come out in the hight of fashion!

[Pobeka]

20. Give this a kick if you think it's worthy. I gotta get to bed.

Cheers everyone!

[Pobeka]

22. A morning kick for the morning crowd, and it's off to the salt mines...

Good morning DU!