Posted on 06/12/2006 3:25:06 PM PDT by SJackson
There are certain well-defined and narrowly limited classes of speech, the prevention and punishment of which have never been thought to raise any constitutional problem. These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or "fighting words" those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. It has been well observed that such utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality.
— Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 1942
Just make it legal to beat the crap out of someone burning the flag, and the problem will go away.
Most importantly from a practical point of view:
1) Everyone who has seen a flag burned IN PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY raise your hand...right, nobody. It's a solution in search of a problem....
2) It will actually INCREASE the number of flag burnings..
3) Somehow you've got to dance around determining the difference between "approved" flag burnings for old and damaged flags and "bad" flag burnings.
ping
I saw a few flag burnings in the early 70's by some dirtbag hippies.
But the number you've personally seen in the last 30 years, I trust, is zero :-)
Problem was solved by society without the legal intervention of the government.
This is one stupid amendment proposal.
Its like the hate crime laws.
Congress is full of idiots.
She brings in many other matters our lawmakers should be spending their time on. They should just pass it and go on to the other matters, that's not a genuine argument against passing it.
Since I would never think of burning the flag I have no problem with this law.
Including the Second Amendment, I'm sure, right Ms Everson? Right. I'm sure that one's near and dear to her heart. Liberal ****!
There will be more such issues as anti flag burning law, designed to distract the conservative electorate away from the RINO press for amnesty by any other name.
We need to burn the RINO flag, and if it resembles old glory, so be it.
I cannot buy and ad and be critical of the Royal Senators when they run for office but I can burn the flag that is a bunch of crap.
You are wise beyond your years, grasshopper.
I'm no spring chicken, but I'll take that as a compliment!
Anyone who burns a flag in protest clearly hates everything (hate crime! hate crime!) and might be better served burning his or her own house down, except they probably don't and won't ever own a house.
like pissant said.. just make it legal to protect the flag the moment it is seen set ablaze within the vicinty of a Patriotic Citizen.. empower Patriots to protect it from harm
Modern Government - Men and women who invent problems then wring their hands, frantically searching for a solution to the purely mythical problems while ignoring actual, existing problems.
A few points to remember:
1) Burning a flag harms no one (unless you inhale the second hand smoke).
2) When a person burns an American flag they're saying, "Hey look at me, not only do I have a brain the size of a walnut, but I'm also so full of hate and paranoia that I believe the United States is the focus of evil in the world." Truth in advertising is a good thing.
3) While Congress is busy jerking themselves off with this flag burning issue, they'll be too occupied to pass more dangerous legislation, such as updating CFR to include the Internet.
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