It's not very nice to see, but i believe it would be an infringement on freedom of expression if it was made a crime. People commit crimes which are much more worse than burn flags
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6095260.stm
2006-10-29 01:24:45 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I think they should be tried and hung for treason.
By the way, it has nothing to do with freedom of speech, or expression or anything else. The flag does not represent your government, it represents your home, your country, your people and your freedom. That you, by the way didn't have to fight and die for. Real men and women did that for you. The national flag does not represent some political party, it reppresents your nation. You want to protest against government, peacefully, violently or otherwise, go ahead, burn effigies of political leaders, burn their political parties flag, but don't insult our forefathers who fought and died in real wars (not these little conflicts the media calls wars today) where the very freedoms you take for granted everyday were truly at stake. If you want to tear apart the very fabric of nation pride and unity, you may as well sell government secrets to the enemy, you should be tried for treason, and delt with appropriatly as a traitor for betraying your country and the trust of your countrymen.
2006-10-29 01:42:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 6⤋
UK: Peaceful protest is, and has always been, the democratic and common law right of citizens to protest against any matter with which they disagree. The police officers first duty on such demonstrations is to protect that right. However, when flag burning and in some cases effigy burning occurs whilst police officers look on, give a totally false impression to people of other countries who might well be armed enemies against the country in which the protest is being held. It probably is a morale booster if they believe that not only members of the public agree with their cause, but also the countries representatives in the form of the police. I strongly feel that this is wrong. If the protesters cannot protest in a meaningful way, such as not only flag burning, but faces covered, signs calling for the death of certain people, something must be done. What exactly that something is, is a matter for politicians and for the police to enforce.
2006-10-29 08:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This is such a tough one. I take Fr Chuck's point that freedom of expression is not mentioned in the Constitution. There are other, more articulate, ways of expressing one's opinion. But if it does get banned (which would require a constitutional amendment) shouldn't we be worried about what other freedoms would be infringed along with it?
On balance, I think we should devote more time and energy into learning what the Constitution really means (one day a year is not enough) and all working to uphold that, rather than trying to ban symbolic gestures. The US Constitution confers rights upon its citizens (and those, like me, who choose to make this country their home). However responsibilities follow rights as surely as night follows day. Perhaps it is time we all reflected on the balance between rights and responsibilites much more often.
2006-10-29 10:08:12 · answer #3 · answered by skip 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it should be an offence, for the reasons, that one,, It represents the people and the country , and by burning it, u are saying , upyours to the people and the country, its also an incitement to cause trouble, as ur burning is a message of hatred to the people and the country .
If people feel so strongly and hate the nation so much, then they should be deported.. If you dont like it here, then dont live here..
not enough respect is shown to our (uk) country , by outsiders who only want to come here, for the handouts, or to cause trouble. This is shown, in the burning of the flag.
2006-11-01 11:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO !!!
It should not be against the law.
The United States is the land of the free.
IF an individual or group wish to demonstrate against the U.S. and they want to burn the American Flag as part of their demonstration I say more power to them. THey have every right to show their stupidity. If I dont agree with what they are saying/doing then I can move on.
THink about it. If a Nation allows these people to burn its National symbol and allows them to do so, providing Police support to protect their rights.... Man that is some country !!
That is a Country that is secure in itself and what it stands for.
Personally I would never burn the American Flag. But I served 20 years in the Army so that those few who wish to burn the American flag had the right to do so.
2006-10-29 09:08:15 · answer #5 · answered by JohnRingold 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, of course it shouldn't be made a crime. It should be an offence though for people to show it in public. The Union Flag is symbolic of everything rotten about Britain. Burn them all I say.
2006-10-29 11:34:23 · answer #6 · answered by A True Gentleman 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not allowing people to burn flags is akin to saying the state is always right.
If you want to ban flag burning in the States then you'd better bin the stars and stripes and reinstate the union jack because you burnt that when you rebelled.
Yankee Terrorists.
2006-10-29 08:41:04 · answer #7 · answered by airmonkey1001 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yes, because it represents are country. Symbolism is cuturally important, and its a insult to burn a flag for service men that served in any war. Burning any flag should be a crime, and higher crime than DWI. Its not freedom of speech question so much. Its a lack of respect for the veterns that served us well thru time. Burn it you go to Jail
2006-10-29 08:32:12 · answer #8 · answered by ram456456 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
There are worse things in life, and worse crimes than burning a flag.
2006-10-29 08:34:41 · answer #9 · answered by Victoria M 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
a flag is just a piece of cloth, its what it stands for in your heart. burning it hurts no one just makes a fool out of the one whos doing the burning. the only flag that would be a shamed to burn would be the first on ever made and its in a safe place.
2006-10-29 08:28:13 · answer #10 · answered by sugerglaze28 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Burn them all I say - that way we'll all end up playing for the same team, there'll be no competition and everyone will be a happy stoner until it comes to a time to actually get something done and by then we'll have forgotten how to do it anyway.
Power to the people! (and erm...stuff)
2006-10-29 12:38:30 · answer #11 · answered by charlie 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋