Simply put, what are your ideas on it? Back in the 80s they tried to make it illegal, and in Texas it is, but whenever a case comes up, they strike down the law, and then promptly remake the law.

"I may hate what you say, but I will die defending your right to say it" comes to mind here.

Yeah, just because a law gets struck down, doesn't mean the states can't pass another one exactly like it. Though they know better than to try to charge people breaking the law the second time around.

I won't say it's a harmless activity, since it does involve a big flaming object, but it shouldn't be a crime.

I think this is a tough one. In the end, I'm going to have to go with protecting it under free speech, but there are a couple of points worth mentioning.

1. Not all speech is protected. For example, the Supreme Court recently upheld the right to ban cross-burning. There's clearly a difference, but it could be a slippery slope. If cross-burning can be made illegal, why not flag burning?

2. It seems absurd that a nation that legislates patriotism (with holidays such as the 4th of July and FLAG DAY) would NOT make something like flag burning illegal. Again, it wouldn't have to enforce the law all the time, but still...

Again, in the end, it may just be one of those things we have to unfortunately allow...

To restrict flag burning is to restrict personal freedom and the freedom of speech. While some forms of expression are banned and illegal, that alone does not justify the ban.

When we legislation the exhaling of our nation, we call it patriotism, when another nation does it, we call it nationalism.

I do not see the draw back of allowing flag burning, or for that matter cross burning, so long as it is done on your own property and not in a way that is blatantly threatening someone.

Indeed, but still quite a few people are against it.

Theory as to why?

Because of the symbol of what it represents. It has powerful personal meaning to many people because that flag is seen as representative of the United States stands for, and the ideals it represents. To them burning that flag is the equivelant of burning not just the flag, but the constitution, bill of rights, as well as freedom, liberty etc.

That is the argument of those, and I can understand that to some extent: it is disrespectful, however to legislate such a respect is not patriotism, it is nationalism. Between the two there is a fine line.

I love my country, I am a patriot. I fear for my country's future due to all of the terrible legislation, foreign policy, abdication of the founding principals (which is what I love about this country) and poor leaders.
A partiot loves his country, and at the same time can critique it, when criticism is lost, it becomes nationlism.

I completely agree with you that a true patriot will criticize his or her country when it behaves in a manner that violates it's founding principles. I was merely presenting the arguements I have heard presented against flag burning.

I believe it is merely a means of saying aloud: "I disagree with what you do" or, "I disapproved with what you do" to the leading body of the flag's origin. If anything should be penalised, it should be the fire hazard :lol: not the symbolism behind it.

What of the upside flag in the USA, is it still illegal, or has it changed? I feel it is the same as the above - a mere statement - nothing more.

If people are to get offended by the flag and doll burnings, they should look at the cause of these, rather than punish the act itself. Find the source of the disapprovement or disagreement, rather than deem it a "to arms" call as many seem to believe.

I was taught to love, live, and die, for the flag of my country; but this is a symbol for my country - it does not mean the flag (fabric) itself. People should remember this when we see our flags burning on TV - >_< :lol:

Which is why some people get so upset about it. They don't care that a piece of cloth is burning--to them, the act symbolizes an attack not on the flag, but on what the flag represents. In a strange way, some people see a burning flag as equal to an attack on the country! I don't see it this way. I'm just saying that others might.

Regarding the legality of flag burning it's currently decided (to the best of my knowledge) in the United States on a state by state basis. I believe Texas outlawed it, but that's the only one I remember hearing about, and even then I might be wrong, it could just be one of those bills that ended up before the state legislature that never went anywhere.

And what of the 'upside down' US flag? Is it a state by state as well?

I do realise that many see the burnings as an indirect attack or 'call to arms', but I as well realise that there is a fine line between strong patriotism and obsessive fanaticism, yes? And in my experiences, i've observered even the highly educated borderlining these, and 'walking the tight rope' between the two.

Upside-down flag, which is the international Maritime symbol of destress, is not illegal in any state at the moment.

As for flag burning, I'm only aware of Texas constantly making laws against it, and it constantly being struck down, then remade. I don't know the current situation is.

The thing is, when you say somthing like "We fought for the flag" or the like, I do belive that is wrong. One may have fought for what the flag reprsents, including the rights of free speech and expression....

Think about it. Burning the flag is as much glorifying it as desecrating it.

It's just a flag anyway.

To which someone replies: But its more than that, it is what the flag represents
To which you say: Stuff like freedom?
To which they say: Yes
To which you say: Like freedom of expression?
To which they say: yeah, well......wait....

It deffinetly isnt the same thign as a cross.

Maybe not to you.

House Approves Move to Outlaw Flag Burning

So it begins...


and it'll probably end at the supreme court.

Not if it's a constitutional ammendment it won't.

Of all the things that congress could be doing, they waste time on this.


WHY!?!

Because it's popular, and dealing with tough problems isn't.

well i personally am stuck in the middle becuse
1. it is your freedom
2. it is degrading the falg
3. it is your right as a U.S citizen to do what you want on your property
4. if you burn a flag you can burn the cross

but that is my way of thinking

Haha, I just saw this on my number one news source:

Flame Retarded

I'll probably just make a Daily Show topic later on.

In the 1980(?) case of Texas V. Johnson, Johnson burned a flag in front of the GOP in political rebellion to oppose to current government. The Supreme Court ruled that flag burning was protected under the first amendment. (Note that I am taking these facts from memory, I looked at the case two years ago so it is a little hazy).

I personally don't like burning the flag, the very symbol of our nation. However it should not be made illegal because it's a major way to protest something. It would be violating freedom of speech.

Forgive the tangent, but you'd think that companies selling flags are probably all for burning them.

And when you say the U.S. flag symbolizes the idea of freedom and liberty, don't most flags represent some ideas of other nations... many which are similiar or identicial?

Yes, there are bigger ways to disrespect the flag. A time-honoured tradition by some is to burn a flag that was dropped onto the ground or floor. Should they be prosecuted for any illegal acts? Urinating or even sitting upon the flag is seen as more disrepectful by some.

Laws aren't aimed at protecting anything insomuch as political platforms for which careers depend. Greatly conservative folks will seek to protect animal rights as much as they would the U.S. flag. It isn't that they are greatly patriotic or animal lovers as much as it may ber distaste for wasteful practices or harming with no real purpose.

Sure, folks will say they fought for the flag because of what it represents. Ironically, many an army had not only standard-bearers but flag-bearers as well. And where do you draw the line as to which flags may or not be burn-banned? Are we going to protect Saudi Arabia's or Syria's equally as we do our own? Or just those of our allies? Or just ours? What about state flags? Or organizational flags, or POW-MIA ones? It isn't a slippery slope as much as what it signals when you begin to be selective on what you "choose" to protect by law. So let's protect the Confederate flag too. Otherwise we might actually have a case of The South Will Rise Again!. <-- Not serious but you do have to admit it will create a ruckus. Look at a courthouse in Alabama (or was it Georgia?)

And then the cross-burning or other religious symbols comes into play.