Today in class we discussed the factor of the burning of the American flag being a crime. Do you really think that it should be seen as a crime. Also, do you think it is taking away from the first amendment which guarentees the freedom of expressions?
2007-02-07 11:48:58 · 8 answers · asked by brina489 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
A symbol of the state and should not be degraded? Wow.. that sounds like communism to me.
I think burning a flag shouldn't be a crime because it goes against everything a country like the USA says it stands for - freedom of speech, self expression, freedom from persecution.
2007-02-07 12:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
When our troops defend our flag, they defend a way of life not a piece of cloth. The remarkable thing is that it can be burned or tattered and our way of life remains. Freedom is not the flag, it is only a symbol.
An amendment making such activity illegal would undermine the very principles for which the flag stands; jailing protesters of dissenting opinion—such as those who burn national flags—is common under authoritarian regimes, such as North Korea or Iran.
Another argument stems from the fact that groups such as the American Legion and the Boy Scouts of America regularly burn flags as a way to dispose of them in a respectful manner in keeping with the United States Flag Code.
Back in the 70s, yes we wore US flag patches on our jeans-there were those that though that should also be illegal too. We would need 1200 new laws, all restricting free speech.
2007-02-07 20:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by Middleclassandnotquiet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first amendment DOES NOT guarantee freedom of EXPRESSION. Freedom of SPEECH means SPEECH. If it meant expression, freedom of the PRESS would not have been listed separately. As far as burning the flag being a crime, most cases I've heard about involve violation of laws that prohibit burning ANYTHING on public property.
2007-02-07 21:16:57 · answer #3 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we allow people this right of free expression whats next? The Washington monument or Lincoln memorial? In the name of free expression. What about the MLK memorial? Should we be allowed to desecrate it for free expression rights? Where does it end. And how can we draw the line if we allow flag burning. There is a much broader picture here. It should be against the law for good reason and should not be considered free speech or expression. I personally cannot understand why anybody would want to do this.
2007-02-07 20:07:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think the burning of anything would be illegal if on purpose, but the flag?, wow, what does the flag mean anyway, it's so contradictory, that it's nothing other, than just a flag, cloth, if you bought the flag, then it's yours, you should be able to burn it, if burning something period isn't illegal
2007-02-07 20:14:40 · answer #5 · answered by nae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Burning of the flag is not legal because it is an insult into the existence of the state. The flag is a symbol of the state and this must not be degraded.
2007-02-07 19:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A flag is a piece of cloth. we need to stop obsessing over things that don't add up to sh it
2007-02-07 19:53:30 · answer #7 · answered by Eric the Great *USA* 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If used as a peaceful protest it should be fine.
2007-02-07 19:54:07 · answer #8 · answered by micah maehame 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋