Flag Burning

Letters to the editor are words. Speech.
The act of burning something is conduct.

 

They did not invent new rights. They extended existing rights to more people.

 

As you know, it is much harder to do that than it is for 5 of 9 Supreme Court justices to sweep away state laws with the flourish of a pen.

 

It makes a statement, so yeah, it's speech.

 

Yes, right up there with rolling tires into the road and setting them on fire, running up and down Broadway naked, or urinating on the courthouse. Just making a statement.

 

If someone wants to burn the Flag, that is their right, no matter how stupid and disgraceful I may think it is. The great danger is that many Americans want to turn a symbol of the USA into a idol.

 

Public safety problem; ok, but shoes are highly advisable; public health problem.


Hey Kiffen! Where you been to? :wavey:

 

Hi Daisy! Oh, I have been busy in the ministry.

 

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"Mr. Speaker, let me summarize why I oppose this Constitutional amendment. I have myself served 5 years in the military, and I have great respect for the symbol of our freedom. I salute the flag, and I pledge to the flag. I also support overriding the Supreme Court case that overturned State laws prohibiting flag burning. Under the Constitutional principle of federalism, questions such as whether or not Texas should prohibit flag burning are strictly up to the people of Texas, not the United States Supreme Court. Thus, if this amendment simply restored the state's authority to ban flag burning, I would enthusiastically support it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]However, I cannot support an amendment to give Congress new power to prohibit flag burning. I served my country to protect our freedoms and to protect our Constitution. I believe very sincerely that today we are undermining to some degree that freedom that we have had all these many years." - Congressman Ron Paul(R-TX)[/FONT]

- more at www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul99.html

 

That was part of the argument against banning burning. If your going to enforce one part of US Flag code, then enforce it all. Then the quibbling started. Great points Alcott!