Why The Flag Desecration Amendment Doesn't Matter

[johnkerryyip145]

It still needs to pass 38 of the 50 state legislatures within seven years to take effect. OK, that is very likely to happen, but it won't be easy and will remain in the news long enough to become a "Why are they wasting our time?" sort of issue.

Also, remember the power of parody. Those wishing to burn the flag can just change it slightly and burn it, anyway. (Ex: purple moons or pink clovers instead of white stars.) So let the Democrats vote "Yes". The flag-desecrators will still be able to burn slightly modified flags. The Amendment is likely to accomplish very little, and Congress will look rather ineffective as a result. That should hurt them more than it will hurt us.

[Boo Boo]

1. Because nobody burns the fucking flag? /nt

[Merrick]

2. Of course some will still be exempt...

[merbex]

12. In my eyes that flag is completely desecrated

Will he be forced to apologize for offending me?

Shall we make it a crime, and waste money prosecuting him for that?

Probably like Al Capone for tax evasion THIS is what will bring Bush down

[Selatius]

3. But you just clipped your own freedoms in this calculation

Are you willing to do that?

[sandnsea]

4. 7 year wedge issue

Oh joy, another one, just what I wanted. Unless the people suddenly shift to first amendment advocacy, the fight will become "Why are Democrats wasting our time" over a bunch of blame America first flag burners. It matters.

[thecrow]

5. I think this whole thing is in preparation for the protests

Bu$hco doesn't want to see the flag burning in his "homeland".

[alittlelark]

6. uh, yeah...............

let's move on to the next distraction from the REAL ISSUES that we are facing.........................................................................

[Piperay]

7. This flag 'thing' always gets trotted out

before elections, they want to use it against the Democrats in the Congressional Elections next year...same old, same old.:boring:

[bowens43]

8. No one who votes 'yes' will ever get my vote

and they should never get yours. It amazes me that so many people fail to see the importance of this amendment. The Constitution was meant to place limitations on the power of Government not the Liberty of the citizens of the US.

This is appalling.

[purduejake]

9. I'm with you...

except I think many of them see the importance of the amendment and are simply trying to show what a wast of time it is since modified flags can be desecrated.

One thing that I am not sure of is a proposed punishment for burning the flag. Does anybody know what people are suggesting? Lopping off fingers or what?

[bowens43]

17. The Amendment doesn't make burning the flag illegal

it authorizes congress to pass laws that make burning the flag illegal. So as of right now, not only are there no proposed punishments, there no proposed laws making 'desecration' of the flag illegal.

[WePurrsevere]

18. Right! Even *IF* it is passed there's still HOPE....

... if we can get & keep ANTI-Freedom of Speech twits OUT of office. If we can then there won't be an actual Flag Burning law passed (and if there is one passed it can be repealed when more progressive types come into power).

Although I do think it matters and that we still should fight against this amendment that gives more power to Congress (like they really need more) there is still hope if we lose.

What I have to wonder about is why this amendment was worded the way it is? In it's not being an "in your face" flat out anti-flag desecration amendment but one that gives congress the power to pass laws amendment it seems very back door sneaky somehow.

[nonconformist]

10. It matters to me.

It matters a great deal to me to see my right to freedom of speech limited in any capacity.

Whether or not I want to burn flags is irrelevant. I've never done it or have any plans to. What is relevant is that rights are being curtailed.

[Disturbed]

11. Pass the thing.

It's a distraction from real issues.

Just burn pics of various politicians instead.

[nonconformist]

13. I agree it's a distraction

A wedge issue, actually.

Still, it should be alarming when our rights are limited.

[C_U_L8R]

14. The Reich Wing Is SOOOO Out Of Touch...

they are still fighting some lame battle from the 60s.
This is a prime example of pinheaded republicans
wasting our tax dollars in pursuit of a misguided ideology.


The bigger issue is: WHO is disgracing our flag?

WHO is constantly lying and distorting facts to the American people?
WHO is sending our young people to fight fraudulent wars?
WHO is setting up secret torture chambers around the world and condoning war crimes?
WHO is making off with BILLIONS of our dollars (and god knows where it goes)??
WHO destroying our social institutions and dismantling our financial security?
WHO is hiding behind religion like a scoundrel?
WHO is profiting from all this corruption?

WHO is responsible ??!!
(i think we all know the answer)

Lets run the crooks out of town or at least put them behind bars.

[no_hypocrisy]

15. Of course it matters. It would be ENFORCEABLE LAW in 50 STATES

and U.S. territories, meaning potential imprisonment, fines, and criminal records, i.e., a felony that is equatable with drug possession, kidnapping, homicide, and other nasty horribles.

Plus it would contradict another part of the Constitution (First Amendment/Free Speech), making a conflict that could not be resolved by even the Supreme Court because at most it could be interpreted or muted, but never invalidated as it will be in the Constitution.

Don't discount the possibility of 38 states. The 18th Amendment banning sales and use of alcohol passed pretty swiftly nearly 100 years ago as it was "popular".

This proposed law has the aegis of patriotism and the argument against it would be cloaked as "anti-American" and "bad".

No, this foolishness should not go any further than the House going through the motions (again) of passing SOMETHING to talk about to their constiuents during the next (4th of July) recess.

[MadHound]

16. Sorry friend, but it does matter

It is another contraction in our rights. Our privacy rights are disappearing fast, now this, freedom of speech. Sorry but that does matter.

In addition, this will serve three purposes for the'Pugs. It will provide a handy distraction for the next seven years, it will be a handy club to beat on Dems with, and it will be another wedge issue.

Sorry, but I don't take abridgement of my freedoms lightly. This does matter.