Why do people think they have a right to burn the flag?

Question

The flag represents our freedoms, so how does burning it make a statement about free speech?

Answer 1

The flag is a symbol of our freedoms, hence allowing those who choose to burn or otherwise desecrate it only reinforces its value as a symbol of our freedom. To deny one the freedom to make the symbolic statement of flag burning is to deny the very value that the flag represents.

I've collected U.S. flags for several years, and treat mine according to protocol. But a part of the flag's value to me is the inherent freedom that it symbolizes, including the right of others to treat their flags however they choose to.

I think that amending the Constitution to limit our freedom of expression is vastly more unpatriotic than flag burning.

Answer 2

most of the people who burn the flag are in other countries so that rules out demoralizing one's own freedoms.
Second, if someone did decide to burn the american flag in america the could, even though I dont agree with it, because it causes no harm to any individual and thats what the government is ment to do, protect individuals. (unless somone was wraped in a flag and you set it on fire, but thats a compleatly different legal matter.)
Fact of the matter is, the right to free speach does not only imply that one can say whatever he or she wishes, but that every person in this country has the freedom to tell others how they feel. An ignorant statement such as "Why do people 'think' they have the right to burn the flag." could in fact be more offensive to somone than the act of burning a flag all together.

Answer 3

By not being allowed to burn the flag there is a limit on our free speech. Our freedoms are more than our flag's representations. Someone burning a flag, while disrespectful in the eyes of some, does not actually harm anyone. Just because someone burns a flag does not mean that our country is shamed or hurt or in any way less great. By not letting people express themselves in anyway that does not stomp on the rights of others, we are disrespecting freedom and what so many great people have given their lives to defend.

America is more than a flag. We take away from what we are by unnecessarily limiting freedom in anyway other than protecting the rights of others (like shouting fire in a theater or threatening to kill someone).

Answer 4

To answer the question as asked: people think they have a right to burn the flag because they actually do have the right to burn the flag.

It's important to realize that people in this country have different opinions about the set of laws under which we live. You can work to change the law if you don't like it, but what's the point of demonizing the people who just believe something different than you?

Answer 5

Why is BURNING anything called free speech? Speech is talk not action. Why isn't forcing me to wear a seat belt or I break a law invading on my free speech? Some states are starting to ban smoking outside, where's my free speech there? I bet if I took a Flag from another country and burned it in the street, I would be in trouble for hate speech. I'm bewildered.

Answer 6

The right to protest is protected.

Burning it is an act of free speech.

Burning the flag is not necessarily a statement about free speech but other issues


Protecting speech that is offensive is the most important to protect,

Answer 7

Why do people think that flag burning happens to a degree that makes it worth changing the very document that guarantees those freedoms?

And to directly answer your question, because they DO have the right as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Doesn't make it right, but the Constitution protects the right to be wrong. Now make sure your flag wasn't made in China.

Answer 8

Issues like flag burning and gays are a waste of tax payers time when we have much bigger issues to address like the dollar value dropping by 12% or Health care cost or "We the People" turning into "We the Corporation" or trickle down economics that is not working or managing and ending the occupation of Iraq but Bush can`t win at these issues. I think you should only be able to burn flags in areas safe for fire. KKK burned crosses for years where were you nut jobs then

Answer 9

How does burning the flag hurt anyone? Seriously. Think about what you are saying. Unpopular speech has always been protected by the 1st amendment. I don't support flag burning but why would you ban it? What purpose does it serve?

by the way, you are the poster boy for imposing minimal educational attainments prior to receiving the right to vote. God loves jackasses, apparently.

Answer 10

They burn it as symbolism, a type of free speech, to represent that they believe their rights or the rights of others are being trampled upon in some fashion. Also, the proper method of disposing of a flag is to burn it anyway.