Posted on 06/20/2005 10:35:24 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
A newly released independent poll confirms that the vast majority of Americans want the U.S. Flag protected from acts of desecration.
The random poll of 1,004 adults nation-wide was conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation June 16-19. In responding to the question how important do you think it is to make flag desecration against the law, 81 percent said it was somewhat to extremely important. Another 75 percent said they wanted Congress to pass a flag protection constitutional amendment.
The poll echoes numerous others conducted since a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned five previous courts and made flag desecration legal. Poll after poll indicated that between 75 percent and 80 percent of the public support legal protection of Old Glory from physical acts of desecration.
"I'm delighted but not surprised that this poll again confirms what we already know," said Thomas P. Cadmus, national commander of The American Legion. "When asked a straight forward question, most Americans will give you a straight answer -- protect Old Glory."
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on HJR- 10, the flag protection amendment this week.
Only 28 percent of those surveyed said they would be likely to vote for someone who is opposed to protecting the U.S. Flag.
Complete poll results are available online at http://www.legion.org.
"The people have spoken again loud and clear," Cadmus said. "I urge Members of Congress to heed the voices of the people and the call of all 50 state legislatures. Pass the flag protection amendment now."
The poll has a 3 percent margin of error.
I can. How about the Constitution? The Declaration of Independence? As for allegiance, I hold allegiance to God, my family, and then my state (North Carolina). You want to say socialist pledges to pieces of cloth? Be my guest, but understand the Framers would not have seen it as you do at all.
Right, so the amendment would have to outlaw the burning of a flag as a means of protest , which would outlaw the speech, not the act. This is a free speech prohibition plain and simple.
Exactly.
How about allowing a private citizen's fist on a flag burner's nose to constitue symbolic counter-speech?
Personally, I don't have a problem with this amendment. It's a matter of respect for a symbol of our country and America stands for something better than any other country in the world.
Stands for something better...like what? Free speech?
Was Christ not exposed to the elements while he was on the cross?
Old glory was exposed to the elements in battle, but we honor the flag by displaying it in respectful fashion. If we do that much for the symbol of the nation, how much more should we do it for the symbol and actual name of the Almighty?
I know the religious bumper stickers are not meant disrespectfully, of course, but I think it's a crude use of the holy Name. Just my opinion.
"Stands for something better...like what? Free speech?"
Freedom of speech has nothing to do with desecrating the American flag. If you have ever lived in countries that hate America or where hatred of America exists, believe me you would understand why I don't mind the flag being protected. The flag represents our country and it is totally stupid to let people burn the flag to show their rage against America.
I don't think this is taking away free speech from Americans.
And if someone actually DOES read it, and finds something on page 317 disagreeable, he or she will be vilified as Un-American. 'You disagree with this Flag burning amendment? Well, then, you're a (insert whatever term of vilification is currently popular here)!
Suppose I wish to express MY beliefs by preventing the public desecration of the flag, should I be prohibited by the government from doing so?
Uh...let's see...if I'm protesting the administration of government in the country and I burn the flag as a symbol of that government, how is it not political speech?
But I know that you really don't believe that it isn't speech, because you concede that it is political speech in your example to me--you say "hatred of America." Why do they burn a flag? To show hatred of America. It is EXACTLY speech. You know it, I know it. You're just trying to rationalize in order to make yourself feel better about banning speech.
Burning the flag is a very clear political message. We might not like the message, but it is still speech.
And yet you take this as some sign that the Framers put the same level of importance to a symbol as you do? Where's the pledge? Oh, I forgot that was written by a Socialist over a hundred years later.
Taking your post to the logical next step: Freedom of speech has nothing to do with (criticizing our government). If you have ever lived in countries that hate America or where hatred of America exists, believe me you would understand why I don't mind the (U.S. government) being protected. The (government) represents our country and it is totally stupid to let people (criticize the government) to show their rage against America.
It is okay if you are for the amendment. Just don't be intellectually dishonest by claiming it is not a speech prohibition.
If you want to stand up and yell and talk about how great America is next to a guy burning a flag, sure, you can do that all you want.
If you want to punch him in the face, as you said earlier, you can do so at the risk of prosecution and a lawsuit.
We don't go around punching people because we don't like what they say.
By that same standard, reasonable force by a private citizen to prevent the public burning of a flag can be considered symbolic free speech.
Has there been a rash of flag-burning that I don't know about?
No. In that case, you've crossed the line between speech and action. The flag-burner is engaging in speech and harming no one. The guy punching the flag-burner is engaging in a crime. If he just called the flag-burner names, that would certainly be his right.
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