Should it be illegal to burn the flag? (US)?

Question

Please indicate you political ideology.
by choosing a number from 1-5
1 being highly liberal and 5 being highly conservative

Im a 3.. Im also a member of the United States Army. I believe it is a right and a freedom to burn our flag. When someone is burning one I think to myself they are showing America at it's best.

If illegal what should the punishment be?

Jahpson shooting an eagle is killing an animal. Killing many different types of animals in the US is illegal, especially endangered ones like eagles. Horible analogy!

Vicky L you can't accuretly speak of what is offensive to someone else. I hate the assumption that burning the flag is offensive to veterans.

Answer 1

lundstroms2004 nailed it. If you're not free to burn or otherwise use the flag in protest, then the freedom the flag supposedly represents doesn't really exist, does it?

Answer 2

i rate myself a 3 because im not conservative and im not liberal, i try to find a balance between the two.
i believe that it should be illegal to burn the us flag. why would a person want to burn a symbol of our country. i believe that americans should be loyal to their country and if they are burning the flag then it is a sign they are not loyal to the country, so why do they live here?
yes, it should be illegal in my opinion.

but at the same point, if we make everything illegal, then it is taking away the very freedoms our soldiers have fought to obtain.
so in that sense, maybe no, it should not be illegal.

i am not entirely sure whether it should be illegal or not, but i do know that the us is supposed to be a free country and as long as the expressions of freedom are not hurting other people or the wellbeing of the country, then maybe it is something that we should not worry about or try to regulate.

just my opinion.
hope this helps.

Answer 3

As long as there is a 1st amendment then burning the flag will be and should be legal. I don't like it (just like I wouldn't like the burning of the Canadian flag or the Union Jack) it is disrespectful but at the end of the day it doesn't hurt anyone.

I'm a 1 by the way

Answer 4

Freedom of expression is sometimes difficult to accept when it's something you may not approve of. I think the idea of burning the flag of these United States is pretty low. But it is also an issue that really isn't that important an issue as there were something like five cases of it last year. So who is it important to? Those pols who have nothing of substance to talk about and use the flag to whip up xenophobia so their base is happy in their rightful indignation. People who think the answer to illegal immigration would be to cut their legs off or to shoot people who want to express themselves in a lawful--yet disagreeable--manner. Let them burn the flag and be safe in the knowledge that by allowing them their moment of freedom, you're preserving yours and you children's. I'm a 1 on your chart. Maybe to the left of a 1.

Answer 5

No, but I believe law enforcement should have great latititude in inestigating what else this person is involved in. After sept 11th we actually found people aiding Al Queda (which should be a death sentence for treason) and they got a slap on the wrist.

Burning the flag, however repugnant and unamerican it may be, is a form of a free speech that disapproves of America. It is no different than a communist moving to this country and writing articles about how much he hates America. Free speech is free speech. These people should be tried in the court of public opinion and perhaps investigated to see if they pose any real threat, but otherwise, they should be allowed their free speech.

Answer 6

1.5 Burning the flag is symbolic. It is a sign of protest for what you believe is wrong with the government in power. I have never burned a flag, but I have hung one upside down .
I still hang a flag on Memorial Day and Independence Day (the traditional way) because I still believe in America.

Answer 7

you won't have the ability to by fact the splendid court ruled it develop right into a Constitutional right to have the means to burn the U.S. flag (unfastened speech and all that jazz). you're able to ought to make it a Constitutional exchange. At any fee, do you comprehend that it truly is honestly disrespectful to have a dull ringer for the U.S. flag to be embedded on denims, shirts, bandanas etc?

Answer 8

I am a 3. To outlaw flag burning would be the worst thing to happen in this country in a long time. Freedom and symbols of freedom are important cornerstones of the lives we live. If they outlaw flag burning, it is only a short hop to banning making fun of the president, and then Leno, Letterman, Conan and Kimmel would be in jail and what would we do for late night entertainment. It's a slippery slope, I tell you!

Answer 9

Yes it should be illegal and my # is 1 It should be illegal to burn any flag.It's very offensive to that countries people and the ones who have fought for their country right or wrong.

I think most veterans and their families would disagree.But see that is what makes America great.The right to disagree.BTW I have 2 sons in military would be highly offended.And thank you for your service to our country.Whether I agree with you or not on this issue I appreciate your coming forward for our country.Bless you!

Answer 10

2 and yes, it should be your legal right to burn the flag. I did it. Years ago, when I was young at High School. Did it make me feel better? Maybe. Did it change anything? Nope.