Flag-defiling charge ends in fight, arrests

[Sonicmedusa]

Sheriff’s Office denies allegation deputy assaulted couple
by Mike McWilliams
updated July 26, 2007 11:26 am

Asheville – A couple who said they were protesting the state of the country by flying the U.S. flag upside down with signs pinned to it found themselves in jail following a scuffle with a deputy Wednesday morning.

Mark and Deborah Kuhn were arrested on two counts of assault on a government employee, resisting arrest and a rarely used charge, desecrating an American flag, all misdemeanors. The Kuhns were released from custody Wednesday afternoon.

(snip)

State law prohibits anyone from knowingly mutilating, defiling, defacing or trampling the U.S. or North Carolina flags. Lt. Randy Sorrells of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said the Kuhns desecrated the flag by pinning signs to it, not by flying it upside down.

Deborah Kuhn said the signs pinned to the flag included an explanation on the meaning of an upside-down flag and asked to “help our country.” One of the signs was a photo of President Bush with “Out Now” written on it, they said.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770725118

I just can't do this story justice with four paragraphs. Please go to the site and read it. The sheriffs deputies story is completely different from the Kuhn's and apparently from the eyewitness reports of the neighbors as reported on the local news.

Just incredible.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. How is "desecrating" a US flag still a crime?

I thought the Supreme Court rulings were all solidly in favor of this being allowed, non-criminal free speech? And if the couple were being arrested for a patently legal action, then they were correct in resisting arrest.

Also, something must be sacred before it can be desecrated. National symbols cannot be classed as sacred, as that would be tantamount to declaring a state religion. So how can any law create a crime of "desecrating" a US flag in the first place?

[Sonicmedusa]

2. Apparently it is a crime in North Carolina

[bluestateguy]

3. It is unconstitutional, but sometimes local authorities just ignore the Supreme Court

Much like organized prayer still goes on in many public schools in deeply religious towns. The authorities just look other way.

It's their flag: they can display it as they please. I would say the same thing if someone wanted to fly a Confederate flag in front of their home.

[MissMarple]

4. How apropos...Buncombe County. A U.S. congress critter from there inspired the word "bunk".

Or "buncombe", and as in what a bunch of bunk.

[zulchzulu]

5. I have American flag boxer shorts...

Desecration can happen pretty easy during Cinco de Mayo...

[benld74]

6. Don't wear'em there!