Date: 1/29/2004 2:28:00 PM
From Authorid: 12133
It is illegal. It is a Federal Law, with a $10,000 fine, or 20 years in jail. It is also a law, in 47 states also. It is just rarely enforced. No, it is not Freedom of Speech. If it is a crime to tell someone off, then it should also be slander, or worse, to burn a flag.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 2:28:00 PM
From Authorid: 15070
I am pretty sure it is still legal. Should people be allowed to burn the flag? I don't know.But I support "Freedom of Speech", even if I hate the message  |
|
Date: 1/29/2004 2:29:00 PM
From Authorid: 15070
thank you Crash-I didn't know. |
Date: 1/29/2004 2:33:00 PM
From Authorid: 36901
As far as I know, it's illegal in most states if not all. I don't think it has anything to do with freedom of speech. I agree with the law. I think it's very wrong to burn an American flag unless it is done the right way and for the right reasons (like if it touches the ground, etc...). When I was in Girl Scouts, I was chosen to put the flag in the fire. It was a really neat ceremony. In my opinion, it all boils down to respect. Even if you have issues with the US, I think you should voice those opinions and do things to change what you don't like instead of burning the flag.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 2:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 62222
There's a difference in letting your opinion be known in a calm, rational manner or to protest something and it is quite another to take the symbol of someone's nation and degrade it by throwing it on the ground and setting it on fire. There is a way to be heard without being a monster about it. No, it is not "freedom of speech" and yes it is illegal and that is how it should remain. There is no reason to ever burn the flag of a nation in order to validate your opinions. It's boorish and rude. There is a way to be heard without degrading an entire nation and looking like a jerk.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 2:40:00 PM
From Authorid: 62222
*Ahem* Not that I have strong opinions about flag burning or anything ^_^
|
Date: 1/29/2004 2:43:00 PM
From Authorid: 46068
If you are asking for my opinion I would say that it should be illegal and I am certain that if I were to witness it first hand I would be prone to illegal violence... However I know for a fact that it has been ruled as legal, it is considered non-verbal speech and is covered by the fourth amendment!!!  |
|
Date: 1/29/2004 3:02:00 PM
From Authorid: 12133
I dunno, there is a Uniform Flag Law of 1917. Here is a link to something similar. I can't find the original link that I had. But, there is also other things saying that that law was overturned by the courts, and the federal law is no longer in effect, but the state laws are. |
Date: 1/29/2004 3:21:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 27558
Now these are a variety of Opinions, it is Illegal to Burn a flag but then again if you look at the constitution (don't go at my neck this is something my Teacher brought up) it says freedom of speech but if you burn the American Flag your basically burning the item that gave you that Freedom so therefore it is Illegal but then some argue saying that it is legal. I don't want this to end the discussion MORE OPINIONS ARE WELCOME!!! I want to get USM's point of view with everyones Opinion.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 3:29:00 PM
From Authorid: 2030
One question is, What exactly are you saying by burning the flag. On the other hand I feel fair is fair. You light the flag on fire and I light your underwear on fire while you're wearing them, as a protest against restrictive undergarmets.  |
|
Date: 1/29/2004 3:39:00 PM
From Authorid: 12133
ROTFLMAO@ BCAR!!!! Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! |
Date: 1/29/2004 3:57:00 PM
From Authorid: 62146
In my country Australia you ar not aloud to cut up the flag burn it or even say ulter the flag for a logo for a company someone did that they put their face on the ozzy flag and got in trobble for that. To me I see it as freedom of speach They say it incorages people to rebel aginst the nation so they don't let it happen. To me even if it was I don't see any point it should not be innlegal I see it as freedom of speach.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 4:18:00 PM
From Authorid: 54987
I think it is against the law, but I don't agree that it should be. It is freedom of speech. Like the suprematists flaunt swastikas... it's not illegal, but it isn't nice to see swastikas and all that they stand for.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 4:24:00 PM
From Authorid: 62367
Yes, burning the flag is freedom of speech and should be allowed. The flag is just a symbol. Symbols can be attacked. It is the ideal freedom of speech that needs protection It is freedom of speech and the other freedoms we have that make this nation. Men and women defend with their bodies, minds and spirits; freedom, not a tri-color piece of cloth. The flag is a visible symbol of this but it is the ideals we live by that need to be defended.  |
Date: 1/29/2004 4:25:00 PM
From Authorid: 24732
The Supreme Court overturned the law that made it illegal in 1989, in the case of Texas v. Johnson. But later in 1989 there was another case US v. Eichman, which was going to protect the flag from burning, however I don't think it was made a law because there weren't enough votes for it. As to date I think it's still legal, unless there was another vote I'm not aware of.  |
|
Date: 1/29/2004 4:31:00 PM
From Authorid: 12133
Well, like BCAR said..burn it in front of me, and someone's gonna get hurt. |
Date: 1/29/2004 7:19:00 PM
From Authorid: 62506
I'm against burning the American flag. But I have to wonder how many are aware that it is illegal to let the flag touch the ground, remain left out over night,to be folded improperly, destroyed without ceremony, to be flown at the wrong angle,and to flown lower than any other flag present. These are just a few laws that come to mind concerning our flag. Our country has grown soft on the abuse of the flag, but that doesn't mean that we as citizens have to tolerate it.
woodshed U.S.Army Vet.  |
|
Date: 1/29/2004 8:01:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 27558
Those are strong opinions. Thanks for those opinions, please keep on posting them. |
Date: 1/29/2004 8:34:00 PM
From Authorid: 11097
The flag represents this nation and all its history, in many ways (at least to me) it represents the foundation on which America was formed, the risks we took fighting for our freedom, it reminds us of the mistakes we have made and helps us to look back on the past to make a better future, and it represents all those who have passed on fighting for each of us.... I would never burn the flag (to me- it is not a point made to government or to protest, it is a direct insult to all it represents) interesting post,  |
Date: 1/29/2004 9:47:00 PM
From Authorid: 19460
Well I think it should be illegal. And if it is considered "freedom of speech", then that is one language we don't need in the US. If you don't like the gov't, the flag, what the flag stands for, then whats the sense of being here? If they feel the need to burn the flag becuase of what the flag stands for, then why should they have any rights at all? The flag is a symbol of the fact that we live in a country where we do have rights. Its sort of ignorant (IMO) to claim you want to burn the flag to excercise your freedom of speech, when you are actually burning the very thing that represents our free country. I hope I didnt confuse you as much as I confused myself...my meds are kicking in LOL Oh and I didnt mean "YOU" as the author, I just meant the flag burner in general... not saying the author is the flag burner wanna be LOL  |
Date: 1/30/2004 2:06:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
I believe burning of the American flag is illegal. Desecration of the American flag in general is illegal. I feel it should be illegal since it represents freedom and justice for all. If someone chooses to burn the American flag in some other country, so be it...doing it in America though, that's just plain wrong. If someone hates America enough to burn what represents all that it stand for...they shouldn't be here.  |
Date: 1/30/2004 5:21:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 27558
Lol froggy I know you didn't mean "You" as in me good argument by the way. Excellent Argument You Choose...as a matter of fact excellent argument from all of you I will state my opinion now and bring this discussion to a close. |
Date: 1/31/2004 5:40:00 PM
From Authorid: 39887
Our flag represents our nation, if you want to complain, there are many ways to protest. To burn the flag to me would say you hate this country and then I would have to say, get out! I think it is wrong by any standard.  |
|
Date: 1/31/2004 5:43:00 PM
From Authorid: 39887
I also personally think that if you can't find anything to be happy about here, you most likely won't ever find happiness. |
Date: 2/29/2004 5:31:00 PM
From Authorid: 30051
It's okay to burn the flag...as long as you wrap yourself in it first.  |
