What is your thoughts on Flag burning? (U.S.)

[Times They Are a Changing]

Recently in the news a ban on Flag Burning was propsed and passed by Congress. Usually it has been ignored or depressed by the Senate. If the Senate should ratify it (and by 75% of the states as well) it wil become law.

The Anti-ban side are argueing it as protected under The First Amend. (frees speech/ demonstration).

The Pro-Ban side are trying to create sympathy for themselves saying this:"Ask the men and women who stood on top of the (World) Trade Center," said Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif. "Ask them and they will tell you: pass this amendment."

Whats you'r take on this?

I personaly don't care to much for flag burning yet I belive that it's under the first amend and it should be allowed to practice as long as it doesn't hurt someone else phsyically or endager someone.

[Martin Blank]

Attempting to ban the burning of the U.S. flag is as empty a gesture as burning it, in my opinion. Neither accomplishes its perceived goal. But if people want to burn the flag, that's their business, and I support their right to do so.

When Norman Thomas, one-time leader of the Socialist Party, was asked about people making a statement by burning the flag, his response was to say that if people wanted to make a real symbolic statement, they should wash the flag, not burn it.

Miles

[redwinter]

I don't think any amount of washing will be able to scrub out the stars and stripes, Miles. I think this attempt at banning flag-burning is yet another part of the offensive led by Christian Fascists and neoconservatives in the government, both the Republicans and the bulk of the "loyal opposition" Democrats, to ramp up repression here at home to prepare for further imperialist ventures abroad and continually declining economic conditions. However I don't think the main point of this flag-burning amendment is to target flag-burners per se, rather to rally the rank and file of the Christian Fascist movement and other conservative-minded people within the masses, and try to win other intermediate forces to their side by appealing to this repression in the name of patriotism.

Miles, I really don't think the symbol of the American flag, no matter how much you want to wash it for later use, will ever be clean of all the blood that has been shed for the U.S. empire. Supporting patriotism in any imperialist country is bullshit, even if you're trying to tail the masses in an opportunist way to gain support.

[Revolutionary_Anarchism]

I am in favor of flag burning, i would be bored on the 4th of july if it was made illegal.

But seriously, people should be allowed to burn whatever is theirs, if someone wants to burn his car, i wouldnt give a shit, if someone wants to burn his house, i wouldnt care.

[Klipper]

i don't think burning a flag says anything more than "fuck you!" in a cool way (i'm a piro.)
but burning a flag is expression, and to take that right away, is to errode our freedom of expression, guaranteed in the first amendamnt (i love the us constitution.)

burn a flag if you wish. i will fight for your right to do so!


http://www1.oecd.org/fatf/images/fl-eu.gifhttp://www.johnworldpeace.com/uneandff.jpg

http://www.ebertwelding.com/ogeriff/fire%20pit.jpg

[Martin Blank]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27 2005, 11:28 AM
I don't think any amount of washing will be able to scrub out the stars and stripes, Miles. I think this attempt at banning flag-burning is yet another part of the offensive led by Christian Fascists and neoconservatives in the government, both the Republicans and the bulk of the "loyal opposition" Democrats, to ramp up repression here at home to prepare for further imperialist ventures abroad and continually declining economic conditions. However I don't think the main point of this flag-burning amendment is to target flag-burners per se, rather to rally the rank and file of the Christian Fascist movement and other conservative-minded people within the masses, and try to win other intermediate forces to their side by appealing to this repression in the name of patriotism.

Miles, I really don't think the symbol of the American flag, no matter how much you want to wash it for later use, will ever be clean of all the blood that has been shed for the U.S. empire. Supporting patriotism in any imperialist country is bullshit, even if you're trying to tail the masses in an opportunist way to gain support.
Redwinter, my quoting of Norman Thomas is not an endorsement of what he said. I merely offered it as a notable historical comment relevant to the subject. My view is in the first paragraph.

Miles

[romanm]

My thoughts on flag burning.

Well, it is best to put lighter fluid on the flag before you light it, so that you don't risk the fire going into the lighter fluid can. Also, a torch lighter works best. You can burn yourself with a regular one.

Also. It is best to put the flag on a stick, so you don't burn yourself.

Hope this helps!

marxleninmao.proboards43.com

[danny android]

The cheap plastic ones i steal off of people's lawns burn to quickly. I prefer cloth.

Though i do remember one of my friends told be once that he prefers to just have a bunch of flags covering the floor of his room so he walks on them all day instead of burning them. It's like saying fuck you I won't even take the time to burn you. lol I like this idea.

[Organic Revolution]

the act was passed if anyone wanted to know

[Xanthor]

Personally I'm all for the flag burnings. But you gotta make sure you steal one cuz I sure as hell am not going to waste money on one of those pieces of shit :D

[Bannockburn]

I wrote to my congressmen about not banning flag burning. I simply stated it’s a form of freedom of speech, and protected by the first amendment. That free speech doesn’t including only speech or acts that is closely aligned with government agendas, state slogans, or patriotic rhetoric. It includes the right to dissent, the right to offend the right to criticize the state, the government and its policies.

I think at the end of it I said something like – If this country is so free, then I can burn the US flag wherever I please. As you probably guessed I haven’t heard anything yet.

[The Z-Man]

I am for burning, for two reasons, both already mentioned.

1) If people wanna do something then the gov't should not stop them. Why is it their buisinees.

2) I would be bored on July the 4th if it was illigal.

[Man o' the Century]

The Stars and Stripes flies in freedom every day at my home...

Not only on the Fourth of July!

[Phalanx]

I'm glad to hear that you fly a bloodstained banner of oppression above your well-watered lawn with you large SUV looming in the background, whilst you seek young girls to "hang out with".

[cormacobear]

That&#39;s funny the official method of respectfully disposing of a torn or tattered flag has always been burning. SO now I supposed you just cut them up and flush them with all the other shit. <_<

I think flag burning is great, it&#39;s a very effective visual protest. and it doesn&#39;t matter whose flag.

[Hefer]

If they&#39;re gonig to ban flag burning; then they better make any flag burned illegal, not just the U.&#036;.A, since they want to be respectful and shit. I can see one of those neo-cons burning a french flag without a care in the world. <_< Now where&#39;s the respect and sympathy.

[Free Palestine]

Did you know that you can&#39;t throw a flag away? The only "respectable" way to dispose of a worn or soiled flag is to give it a ceremonial and dignified retirement, preferably by burning it. Ironically, the American Legion and Boy Scouts burn thousands of flags every year in respectful retirement ceremonies. The only difference between their actions, and the actions of a "long-haired hippie" protestor are the thoughts in the minds of the two. Does anyone want to live in a country that arrests people for "anti-American thoughts?"

We already have many laws to stop flag-burners already. You can&#39;t burn someone else&#39;s flag without their permission, or it&#39;s vandalism and arson. You can&#39;t burn your flag on someone else&#39;s property, or it&#39;s trespassing and arson. But if I want to burn my flag on my own property, I better be able to.

And its just a piece of lousy cloth. We can make more flags if somebody burns one, it can be replaced. But we will not be able to replace an erosion of our rights. It is indeed a shame Americans care more about a piece of cloth than our Constitution.

[Organic Revolution]

the constitution was written for rich white land owning males.

[bombeverything]

Flag burning is a justified act of rebellion. Its aim is challenging the dominance of
nationalism/state sanctioned violence. A ban on burning a piece of material would clearly be ideological. What I am trying to say is that seeking protection of this right through the law is itself problematic as the law is fundamentally opposed to radical dissent, and will always act to suppress it.


Or as rise up put it:



the constitution was written for rich white land owning males.

[fernando]

I thought it was already illegal in the US (several states) to burn the flag...I remember Marilyn Manson getting into trouble for it time to time :P

[Xiao Banfa]

If it&#39;s not progressive, incinerate&#33;

[OleMarxco]

And if it&#39;s not incinerated, progress&#33; ;)

[DISTURBEDrbl911]

i am all for flag burning, we can burn and do whatever we want to any of our own posessions.... plus it used to be a rule that if an american flag touches the ground, it had to be burnt in a ceremony, but anyway, i burn flags and whatever, plus, its only illegal if you get caught.

[Organic Revolution]

the only reason they want to get rid of flag burning is it is a very good form of protest, very visual, very powerful.

[bolshevik butcher]

It should be aloud, it&#39;s a basic form of protest and freedom of expression.

[Anarchist Freedom]

I think im going to burn a flag tommorow....