Should it be illegal to burn the American flag?
In 2006, the U.S. Senate rejected a Constitutional Amendment which would have allowed Congress to pass legislation prohibiting the burning or desecration of the U.S. flag. The Flag Protection Act of 2005 was introduced by Senators Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mark Pryor (D-ARK) and Thomas Carper (D-Del). The Act proposed a punishment of up to one year in jail and a fine of no more than $100,000.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
Yes
@9FTP3ZWIndependent 7mos7MO
Top Agreement
That we should protect our flag, if other people get in trouble for burning the pride flag then they should get into more trouble for burning our own flag that represents our freedom.
I do disagree with burning the United States flag as it stands for our ideals and values rather than the government and state of the country itself but ultimately it is the freedom of speech and expression that allows you to do what you wish with the flag, burning the pride flag is hate speech though and has violent connotations towards others.
@9FTYWXW7mos7MO
Regardless of what flag is being burned, the courts have ruled that flag burning of whatever sort is constitutional and protected under the free speech provisions of the 1st amendment. Whether some find it offensive and awful to burn the American flag or the Pride Flag, at the end of the day it’s protected speech.
@9FTXSCS7mos7MO
A pride flag is not a national flag if that's burned its fine but if our nations flag is burned then that is disrespectful to our nation
@9G9GJY2 6mos6MO
Why would you want to burn the flag? It represents ALL of america and you are not American if you burn. Flag burners and go to Russia.
@H0u5eHarper6mos6MO
The act of burning a flag, for some, is a form of political protest and symbolic speech. The Supreme Court in Texas v. Johnson (1989) actually upheld that flag desecration is protected by the First Amendment, stating that the government couldn't prohibit this expression simply because it disagrees with the message it conveys.
Consider the civil rights movement or the Vietnam War protests; the act of flag burning was used to express deep dissatisfaction with government actions. An argument could be made that it is an American principle to question and challenge our government when it's believed to be in the wrong. So one might say, those who burn the flag in protest are expressing a very American sentiment
@9G9GJY2 6mos6MO
Why would any one want to burn a flag! It symbolizes America as a whole. Angry at someone, burn their picture. Angry at a organization or country, burn their logo. Unless you are truly unhappy with America and want to see it burn (then you are not an American) then you should not burn a flag. Let them go to jail for a couple of weeks to reconsider moving to another country because they are NOT wanted here. I support FREE speech, but not HATE SPEECH against America.
@VulcanMan6 6mos6MO
A flag is literally the "logo" of a country, so clearly you already understand why someone would reasonably burn a flag...
@VulcanMan6 6mos6MO
I would argue that flag-burners are infinitely MORE patriotic than people who never criticize their country. If a flag represents ALL of a country, then that includes all of the bad, which is why burning it is a perfectly valid means of protesting a nation's problems.
@9G9GJY2 6mos6MO
Why would any one want to burn a flag! It symbolizes America as a whole. Angry at someone, burn their picture. Angry at a organization (even a government one) or company, burn their logo. Unless you are truly unhappy with America and want to see it burn (then you are not an American) then you should not burn a flag. Let those people go to jail for a couple of weeks to consider moving to another country because they are NOT wanted here. I support FREE speech, but not HATE speech against America.
@9G9WGPW6mos6MO
Flag burning is constitutionally protected as free speech under the first amendment and Texas v. Johnson
@9G9GJY2 6mos6MO
Give me proof why this is the right decision instead of just stating what happened. Here is my proof this court case is wrong: Why would any one want to burn a flag! It symbolizes America as a whole. Angry at someone, burn their picture. Angry at a organization (even a government one) or company, burn their logo. Unless you are truly unhappy with America and want to see it burn (then you are not an American) then you should not burn a flag. Let those people go to jail for a couple of weeks to consider moving to another country because they are NOT wanted here. I support FREE speech, but not HATE speech against America.
@FabulousH0u5eLibertarian6mos6MO
In the landmark 1989 Supreme Court case, Texas v. Johnson, Justice Anthony Kennedy stated, "It is poignant but fundamental that the flag protects those who hold it in contempt."
Now, regarding your perspective on equating flag burning with hate speech, it's worth noting that the U.S. legal system differentiates between the two. Hate speech is regulated when it incites violence or creates a hostile environment. Flag burning, on the other hand, is considered a symbolic speech, a nonviolent political protest.
@9G9SJ7P6mos6MO
I agree with this comment because that flag represents all the soldiers who fought for you to have rights. They make you able to live in this country safely. So burning the flag is just disrespectful.
@9FCTPHD7mos7MO
That we should protect our flag, if other people get in trouble for burning the pride flag then they should get into more trouble for burning our own flag that represents our freedom.
@9F9NYZV7mos7MO
The only reason someone should burn the flag is to retire it after it has started to show wear and tear.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No
@9FYLTBX6mos6MO
It is a destruction of our national unity. It shows hate for our country and disrespect to those who fought for the flag.
@9CJ6CB66mos6MO
It is a piece of cloth with Stars and Stripes on it. If we allow any national flags at all to be burned, we let all of them be burned. It’s a part of freedom of speech, and says little about a persons actual values.
@9F7FCY27mos7MO
Flag burning is an exercise of free speech. To not allow people to show their beliefs is oppressive and any act that doesn't hurt others, while it may not benefit society as a whole, should not be criminalized.
While it's true that flag burning can be viewed as a form of free speech, it's also important to consider the symbolic value of a national flag. For many, it represents the struggles, sacrifices and unity of a nation. Burning it could be seen as a deeply disrespectful act, not just to the government, but also to the people and history it represents.
Take for example the case of 'Texas v. Johnson' in 1989. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that flag burning was a form of "symbolic speech", but it was a highly contentious 5-4 decision. One could argue the narrow margin… Read more
@9FRLH277mos7MO
it is disrespectful to U.S. citizens and even more disrespectful to our veterans. if you are a U.S. citizen burning the country's flag you should get charged, it's as simple as that.
@9FNKH377mos7MO
it is disrespectful to U.S. citizens and even more disrespectful to our veterans. if you are a U.S. citizen burning the country's flag you should get charged, it's as simple as that.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, this is a violation of free speech
@9G7ZK5P6mos6MO
It can be seen as a denouncement of America and there would be no reason to purposefully burn a flag other than to make a anti-american statement.
@9HVX7WQ4mos4MO
The American flag is the Flag of our nation and is therefore the flag of the American people and we should not let people disrespect and destroy the flag.
@9CJ6CB64mos4MO
People have the right to have issues with america, and that’s fine, I’ll argue, but it’s fine. My issue is when it turns to actual violence or legislation that I have problems.
@9J9JHFX3mos3MO
In 1989, in the case Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court ruled that flag burning is a form of expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment. The decision emphasized that the government cannot prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds it offensive or disagreeable. By classifying flag burning as symbolic speech, the court affirmed that the act communicates a particular message and is entitled to constitutional protection.
@9J6KFHM3mos3MO
we shouldn't let people burn the American flag. its disrespectful and ignorant, many fought for that flag and you act like nothings up with it.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, I don’t respect anyone who does but they should have the right to do so
@9GCC5LL6mos6MO
Burning the flag of any nationality is showing disrespect to the people and country. If anyone is caught purposely burning flags, they should be sent to court to explain them selves.
@VulcanMan6 6mos6MO
That explanation is called the right to protest...
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
Yes, and it should be illegal to burn any nation’s flag
@9FVVJJM7mos7MO
Soldiers fight everyday and night to keep our country safe and I believe thats what represented in our flag, burning our flag is disrespecting the United States.
@9FWKGFX7mos7MO
flag burning is a fundamental form of free speech and banning it is the first step on a path that leads to an inability to criticise the government
@9FWBVHM7mos7MO
The true symbol of peace and protection in this country is the fact it's still running. Our flag is just a symbol to delineate us from other countries.
@9FWD2QWIndependent7mos7MO
Soldiers fight for freedom. Unfortunately, freedom is uniform. Freedom means the right to do things without fear of persecution. These soldiers are on the battlefield to fight for our right to fly the flag and burn the flag, salute during the anthem and kneel during the anthem, say under god or not, swear into public office on a Bible or Quran or anything else at all, and exercise self expression. That is what it means to be a freedom fighter of these United States.
That is not what is being represented in the flag, and in fact the ability to legally burn flags is something those soldiers have fought for and are fighting for; the concept of free speech and activism
@9G3CYS9Republican6mos6MO
Freedom is still being fought for to this day. The stars on the flag represent each state that the USA has managed to acquire through hard negotiations and fights. This flag represents America proudly each and every day.
@9FR2CJD7mos7MO
Freedom of speech is an important tenet of Liberal Democracy, and thus an important part of modern, first-world society. If we begin to police what opinions are allowed, to disallow the expression of individual morality, we lose the ability to debate ideas to change the general consensus around our societal morality. Additionally, whatever is banned is subject to the authority of the party and the time period in charge of the legislation. This can lead to outdated social views being enforced at later times, and thus unnecessarily restricting freedoms. Freedom, where it doesn't harm anyone else or violate anyone else's freedom, is a good thing, and freedom of speech is an important freedom. Burning flags is a form of freedom of speech and thus should be allowed.
@9FNKH377mos7MO
other countries went through hundreds of years of suffering to get where they are now, and burning their flag just shows a sign as disrespect
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, it’s just a piece of cloth that doesn’t represent what it should
@cryingleftist3yrs3Y
No, flag code states that once a flag is no longer fit for use burning it is the most respectful way to dispose of it.
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