Should it be illegal to burn the flag?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chase on February 21, 2010 at 12:39pm

The rules of our flag sets flag burning up next to treason, but regardless, it's a sign of disrespect.
There is, however, a very formal way of retiring a flag, which includes a burning process.
So maybe "Yes, but not always."?

What brought this topic about?

Permalink Reply by Lisa on February 21, 2010 at 5:23pm

Hey Chase- nothing in particular brought this topic up. It's just getting hard to think of debate topics! Let me know if you have an idea for next week!

Permalink Reply by Minsmyname on February 21, 2010 at 12:57pm

I think it all depends on the context of why one would burn their native flag. Burning or fire can be symbolic of cleansing but it can also be symbolic of rage and destruction. In any case, I agree with Chase, it shows a huge disrespect, whether or not it should be illegal? It seems silly but I can see the effect it would have if used during a public demonstration. I'm torn, but I lean towards yes.

Permalink Reply by Nathan Miller on February 21, 2010 at 6:33pm

I'm proud to be the most patriotic person among my friends, someone who loves my country more than anyone I know.

As such, I love my flag, a symbol of honor, glory, and freedom. It breaks my heart when I see someone whose anger causes them to set the flag aflame.

But nonetheless, the freedom for which the Stars & Stripes stands includes this freedom as well. I may not agree with the burning of the flag, but I will fight to the death for the right of someone else to do so. [I believe we have Voltaire to thank for the origin: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."]

Permalink Reply by cooper on February 21, 2010 at 7:05pm

It wasn't Voltaire it was Evelyn Beatrice Hall from Friends of Voltaire. Common mistake.


A pet peeve of mine.

Permalink Reply by cooper on February 21, 2010 at 7:08pm

Yes we should be able to burn the flag, as long as long it is our flag and not public property.

They will continue to try to get that flag desecration law back in place though, they've been trying ever since it was repealed..

Permalink Reply by Chase on February 21, 2010 at 7:23pm

I think you're right, Cooper: they will keep trying to put the law back in place.

The ability to burn a flag is freedom of speech, and I don't think it should necessarily be punishable. Questioned? Sure. But Prison/Heavy Fine? Doubtful.

Permalink Reply by Kyle on February 21, 2010 at 9:55pm

Back when I was in the Boy Scouts we had a flag burning ceremony to retire old flags that were worn out. Mostly they were small flags that had been placed by the graves of veterans.
With my flag burning experience aside, I am strongly opposed to burning the Stars and Stripes. As Americans we do have freedom of speech and I feel burning the flag is within your rights. If we start making that illegal because it's unpatriotic does that begin to allow us to fall down a slippery slope limiting our free speech? As bloggers we are essentially free speech in action even though I will be the first to admit my blog is far from the highest form of speech.

Permalink Reply by Oats on February 21, 2010 at 10:43pm

If I call correctly, when taking government class, it is more disrespectful to fly a tattered and worn flag than it is to retire it by burning. It would be of the utmost disrespect to simply throw a flag in the garbage. So in the case of flag disposal, burning seems to be a more meaningful end than landfill.

But burning the flag as a form of protest? Yes, I think it should be legal for CITIZENS to show their opposition to the country's standing on some issues by burning a flag. It's almost like the last straw of protest...the final "Fuck You" to the laws that are being questioned. However, if someone from a different country were to come here and burn our flag, I would say deport those fuckers back to where they came from. Stat. It's one thing to criticize the politicians you voted into office. It is completely something else to tread on someone else's soil and defame their country's symbol.

Permalink Reply by Brian E on February 21, 2010 at 10:47pm

As I understand it, America is the only country in the world who deifies cut together pieces of cloth representing their country (that is to say, they're the only country with legislation to "protect" it.) Sometime in the last few days I saw a Canadian Olympic medal winner with a Canadian flag over her shoulders, autographed, presumably by her loved ones, teammates, etc. Pretty cool souvenir, am I right? There would have been outcry and probably an hour-and-a-half Glen Beck special on the matter had she been an American.

So the question really should be, what's America's hangup with flag burning?

Permalink Reply by Simon on February 23, 2010 at 2:09pm

I think that if it's a piece of cloth and your own property, sure other than the air pollution its only symbolic and to me much the same as creating a web page with controversial content. So unless the intent of the flag being burnt is to cause another law to be broken, its a freedom of speech and should be a choice used with caution. Its a controversial subject, maybe not its legallity but its use, here in Northern Ireland where both 'sides' of the 'community' seem to like to burn Irish/British flags at certain times of the year. As the saying goes, "Offence can only be taken, it can't be given".

Permalink Reply by Brian E on February 23, 2010 at 2:20pm

Dig that quote. I've always found the Irish conflict interesting. My dad's parents were from Waterford/Tipperary/Kilkenny-ish (I'm 2nd gen American) so I'd kind of been taught from a young age to support the Republic, but I've gotten a bit more perspective as I've learned more of the history (though I hold a superficial grudge against the English when sports are concerned.) I think everyone's pleased Ireland has settled into a more peaceful time.

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