Posted on 06/27/2006 5:12:13 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
THE Republican majority in the US Senate has failed by just one vote to amend the constitution to ban desecration of the national flag.
The motion was backed by 66 votes, one short of the two thirds majority need to get a constitutional amendment passed.
Thirty-four senators voted against.
The measure, backed by President George W. Bush, had been promoted by the Republican majority as it tries to rally its conservative base ahead of key congressional elections in November.
So if they put little American flag symbols on cigarettes, can I smoke it in a bar?
umm..no. The only countries that outlaw burning or desecrating their national flag are China, Cuba, Iran, and Iraq.
So if it had passed, America would be in some great company there. (/sarc)
'umm..no. The only countries that outlaw burning or desecrating their national flag are China, Cuba, Iran, and Iraq.'
Any proof for these claims? I really doubt any nation apart from the morally depraved would classify flag burning as free speech.
As for being in great company, look at the kind of people that support Flag burning as a free speech right Hillary, Ted Kennedy, Kerry, Durbin, Michael moore.. almost all the loony libs at DU etc.. some great bunch of crowd the amendment opposers attract there. (/s)
That list is not correct. I suspect that you would be in a world of hurt if you were to burn the North Korean flag in the main square in Pyongyang. Likewise try burning the Saudi Arabian flag (the one with "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is his prophet" written on it) in downtown Mecca by the Grand Mosque.
To burn the American flag is to burn the freedom of speech.
If it didn't pass this time- GOP congress, election year, right before the 4th of July -it's never going to pass. What a shame.
It's a testament to our freedom that we allow unpopular expressions.
If it didn't pass this time- GOP congress, election year, right before the 4th of July -it's never going to pass.
Correct, and nor should it. It would protect a symbol at the cost of cheapening what the symbol stands for.
Lighting a fire is not free speech.
Where is lighting a fire mentioned in the Constitution?
Arson is not popular...
A reminder to all. The Senate has a finely crafted ability to defeat stuff like this with the least possible political damage to its Club members.
Some Senators, those who are closest to reelection, are given free passes to vote 'yea'. Others, whose reelections are far off, vote no in the knowledge that the voters have very short memories, if they ever find out the truth in the first place.
It's the way things are done.
Bottom line? The Senate wanted this Amendment dead, and it is now dead.
Bah.
By holding to the principle that enjoyment by citizens of their rights and freedoms must not be to the detriment of the interests of society or the state, or infringe the rights of other citizens, we can still guarantee freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly, meetings, street processions, and demonstrations without ever having to see our flag desecrated.
You lose the bet.
3/4 of the state legislatures
Exactly, it was grandstanding pure and simple. Those here saying "but it was so close this time" need to realize the vote was politically calculated to come out as it did. These votes are unofficially counted before the roll is taken. The Senate negotiates how they want the votes to break for maximum political capitol for each senator. Otherwise you'd have seen arm twisting and pressure from both the President and Vice President. As you stated no one wanted this to go to the States. They knew it would be a lengthy expensive campaigned that even if successful wouldn't result in enforcement. It is already against federal code to improperly display the flag or put it on t-shirts but you don't see Senators going after the GAP or Wal-mart.
Where is speaking on the radio mentioned in the Constitution? Are you really comfortable with the government telling you in what manner you are permitted to speak out against it?
"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech."
None. Zero. Zilch.
Ditto!
Lighting a fire is not speech... talking on the radio is...
I understand the gut feeling LasVegasMac and other Freepers, however think this through a little further.
Every time I see some maggot, drug crazed, liberal pig, light the flag in protesting this awful country (in their minds), I start to laugh. These stupid mistakes of sperm and eggs don't even realize that in only a handful of great countries is this form of stupid expression allowed. They are proving by their stupid actions what a great country this is and they don't even realize it.
Unfortunately, with the GOP & Conservatives being the party of patriotism they feel the need to show just how patriotic they are by banning flag burning when in fact such a law LIMITS FREE POLITICAL SPEACH.
Lets leave the limiting of rights to the bastards on the left. They are better at it.
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