[libertylover]

I think burning my own flag is freedom of speech.

I disagree with you here. The flag is a symbol of our country and to burn the flag is to symbolically say, "We should burn this place to the ground and start over because it's not worth saving."

I think it's the equivalent of inciting a riot or yelling "Fire!" in a theater that is not burning.

[Caesar Soze]

I disagree with your post. DB's post is symbolic of freedom of speech, and by disagreeing with it, you are disagreeing with freedom of speech. Since your post disagrees with freedom of speech, there should be a federal Constitutional amendment preventing you from posting.

See how stupid it is to legislate symbols instead of reality?

[RedBeaconNY]

So what if I have a tattered, torn and otherwise worn out flag that came into my posession through no fault of my own? How should I dispose of it? Or am I to let it sit in my closet in neglect to fade into obscurity? Which is the greater evil?

Know this; when I was asked to burn that flag, my heart stopped beating. The suggestion itself pained me that much. But sometimes, it does have to be done.

[RedBeaconNY]

So what if I have a tattered, torn and otherwise worn out flag that came into my posession through no fault of my own? How should I dispose of it? Or am I to let it sit in my closet in neglect to fade into obscurity? Which is the greater evil?

Know this; when I was asked to burn that flag, my heart stopped beating. The suggestion itself pained me that much. But sometimes, it does have to be done.

[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.

[jebeier]

I think it's the equivalent of inciting a riot or yelling "Fire!" in a theater that is not burning.

Except for the fact that whether or not the theater is on fire is a matter for political debate.

For instance, If Algore had managed to steal Florida in 2000 through vote manipulation in Palm Beach County, I would probably have done all sorts of outrageous things, up to and including burning the flag. This might have offended some people.

[LIConFem]

"The flag is a symbol of our country and to burn the flag is to symbolically say..."

The flag is a symbol of freedom. To attempt to "protect" that symbol by curtailing the very freedoms it symbolizes is absurd. It cheapens the symbol itself. That's a far worse act of desecration than burning a single flag.