Flag burning the next distraction

Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | 6/13/06 | Jay Bookman

[StonyBurk]

the Constitution is symbolic speech--it has become a thing
of wax in the hands of the judiciary your clever provocation
displays your intent but distracts from the issues discussed.

[dakine]

"start fixing what is wrong with our country"

Yeah, lets see the politicians define "wrong" first...

This flag issue is a non-starter/waste of time....

[ops33]

I agree with you. Freedom of speech means nothing if I cannot go out and say something that you do not like.

[DB]

Go burn China's flag in China and see what happens - that's the difference.

And no, burning the flag is not the same thing as screaming fire in a theater.

Now I do consider burning the flag as fighting words. And if someone smacks you in the head as a result - too bad.

[Army MP Retired]

Frist sincerely believes that once it is against the law to burn flags in this country

It is ALREADY against the law:

Title 18, USC
Sec. 700. Desecration of the flag of the United States; penalties

(a)(1) Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
(2) This subsection does not prohibit any conduct consisting of the disposal of a flag when it has become worn or soiled.

(b) As used in this section, the term "flag of the United States" means any flag of the United States, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, in a form that is commonly displayed.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of Congress to deprive any State, territory, possession, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of jurisdiction over any offense over which it would have jurisdiction in the absence of this section.

(d)(1) An appeal may be taken directly to the Supreme Court of the United States from any interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order issued by a United States district court ruling upon the constitutionality of subsection (a).
(2) The Supreme Court shall, if it has not previously ruled on the question, accept jurisdiction over the appeal and advance on the docket and expedite to the greatest extent possible.

[DB]

The 1st amendment applies to all the states equally.

[Wormwood]

Typical of the MSM Republican Party to assume that conservatives are to stupid to figure out when they are being tossed a bone

Fixed it for ya.

[WhiteGuy]

Typical of the MSM to assume that conservatives are too stupid to figure out when they are being tossed a bone

Excellent point.

Of course we recognize the charade, it's insulting.

[Kakaze]

Much like my Faith in God, the Flag is but a symbol of my Faith in America.

Burn it, stomp on it.....do what you will .

You wont in anyway change my heart or soul.You see what I believe in and know to be true is bigger than anything those who live on hate ( or in the stone age ) can destroy.

So let it be freedom of speech.

[Sybeck1]

Could I still burn the Mexican flag?

[DB]

As long as it is yours to burn on your own property and you aren't violating any fire safety codes.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Bookman? What's the library cop doing writing for the AJC?

He's on the AJC Editorial board so he probably has a say in every piece that winds up in the opinion pages.

[DustyMoment]

Jaw-dropping partisan hack writing if I ever saw it. I had to look twice to see that it was from the Atlanta fishwrap rather than either the NYT or WaPo fishwrap.

Not worth the effort to try to read all the way through.

[Zeroisanumber]

Typical of the MSM to assume that conservatives are to stupid to figure out when they are being tossed a bone.

We aren't being tossed a bone, we're having a bone waved in front of our noses while the other hand reaches around to pick our pocket. For it to be a bone the amendment would have to have a ghost of a chance of passing.

[Non-Sequitur]

Typical of the MSM to assume that conservatives are to stupid to figure out when they are being tossed a bone

I guess that means the GOP leadership is too stupid to realize we see through their political ploy?

[jebeier]

One of the things I like least about the current Republican leadership is the way they trot out Gay Marriage, PBS and Flag Burning every two years right before election time. These are our versions of problems we don't want to solve. As long as they are never solved, the 'Pubbies can campaign on them forever, kind of like the Donks with health care costs and perceived racism.

I do not share this author's opinion, however, that the Senate would be doing anything useful (or even not harmful) if it was not distracted by these 'ginned up issues. If the Senate could just go out of session for much of the year, that would suit me fine. Failing that, I prefer they waste their time chasing their own tails over flag burning than dealing with anything substantive.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

[leadpenny]

No he's not. He was the library cop on a Seinfeld episode.

Never mind.

[Non-Sequitur]

The American people simply want the right to decide for themselves what do about marriage and the flag, not unelected judges.

Forty-odd states have done exactly that through amendments to their state Constitutions.

This is a perennial issue only because judges have denied the people the right to decide about what's appropriate to protect the flag and a few judges have scuppered constitutional amendments to protect marriage because they believe their elite opinion is superior to that of the people.

I'm not aware of a single instance where a state amendment concerning marriage was overturned by the federal courts.

[Loyal Buckeye]

If the Senate can take the time to honor KKK Byrd, it certainly can take time to talk about the flag.