New State Poll: Utah Residents Overwhelmingly Want Flag Protection Amendment

US News ^ | 8/3/05

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Background

[ThinkDifferent]

"At that point, we would be pleased to join with Sen. Bennett in crafting a law that will return a right that the Supreme Court has taken from us," Brady said.

Ah yes, the right to throw people in prison for expressing unpopular views.

[johnny r]

Sorry to be crass, but I find it much more important to protect the Bill of Rights than to protect a piece of cloth.

[digger48]

Ah yes, the right to throw people in prison for expressing unpopular views.

How do you feel about "hate" crimes? (not flaming you, just a query)

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Abortion?

[lilylangtree]

The American flag is the best symbol in this world. However, islamics (and remember the 60s war protestors like draft dodger clintoon) will burn the flag thinking they'll hurt Americans with that desecration.

[ThinkDifferent]

How do you feel about "hate" crimes?

They're ridiculous for similar reasons that the flag-burning amendment is. They inflict additional punishment based not on the nature of the crime, but on the criminal's personal views.

[sageb1]

Those who burn the flag are despicable human beings, however passing any law to protect the flag would set a dangerous precedent. Burning someone else's flag is the same as intentionally damaging another's property and is already covered by law. It is difficult to imagine that any demonstration in this country where the flag might be burned would take place without inciteful speech. If violence ensues, then that is covered as well.

In my opinion, passing such a law would smack of the same manner of thinking that got us hate crime legislation. Anything that is a "hate crime" is also "just" a crime and was already covered by existing law.

Besides, I don't want my right to burn a Qur'an subjected to any law that I'm the sure the Islamists would try to get through the minute a law against burning the flag was passed. I can't burn my neighbor's Qur'an, but I sure as heck have the right to burn mine.

[highball]

Exactly.

I don't care if 100% of people in a state wanted to outlaw free speech or gun ownership, it would still be a terrible idea.

[Paradox]

Proof again that Democracy is a flawed idea.

[ThinkDifferent]

Go ahead and express your views, just don't disrespect the nation's flag.

If I buy or make a flag, it belongs to me, not "the nation".

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

make a flag child, it belongs to me, not "the nation".

I sure as heck have the right to burn mine.

Pro-Choice?

[Lekker 1]

First thing we will have to do is define what constitutes an "American Flag". Will it include those cartoon versions the Muslims paint and then burn? What about my stars and stripes jacket? A Flag anti-disrespect amendment would be IMPOSSIBLE to enforce, and I have never heard a cogent argument as to why this isn't a States issue. Most flags are made in China anyway.

[Lekker 1]

"American" used to imply that a person is a Citizen of the U.S.A. But it's looking like citizenship has no advantages anymore...just responsibilities (if you know what I mean). And don't even get me started on the "hyphenated-Americans".

[highball]

You're not seriously suggesting that a flag has Constitutional rights, are you?

That's silly. If you're going to exaggerate to make your point, you have to maintain at least the semblance of a connection or your point is not made.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Why do you believe SCOTUS has the ability to amend the Constitution?

[highball]

Where did I say that?

I was commenting on your rather silly post

make a flag child, it belongs to me, not "the nation".

which I'm hoping was made in jest.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Who changed the Constitution to accommodate each of the above