I was watching ‘the Daily Show’ on Comedy Central the other day, and they were making fun of an ad that the Republican Party had put out, showing a man (I’m guessing a Democrat) tearing apart a US flag with a seamripper. I know that this is politically-protected free speech (and actually have no problems with it myself), but doesn’t this rank up there with flag burning as flag desecration? And weren’t the REPUBLICANS the ones who were so up in arms about this a few years back?
So let me see if I have their logic straight: To burn a flag in protest of the actions of your government is NOT RIGHT and the people doing so should be thrown in jail, but to destroy a flag to make a point about your political opponents is cool. That about cover it?
Hypocrisy in politics is hardly a new phenomenon, but then you already knew that.
I saw the same program, and the same thoughts occurred to me as well. You bring up an excellent point. Makes me wonder what kind of spin I would put on it if I were a Republican congressman, an NRA member, or a supporter of banning flag desecration. I would say that it wasn’t actually desecration, but merely a controlled reversal of the manufacturing process used to create the flag in the first place.
[mild hijack]
As for the whole flag-burning debate, I’m of the humble opinion that there are really more important issues to deal with in this country. This country won’t be brought down by somebody taking a Zippo to Old Glory. Besides, citizens have the right to criticize their government and their country. Some obviously feel (and I’m one of them) that the harshest criticism would be to burn the American flag, which is a symbol (and nothing more) of this country.
[/mild hijack]
First of all, flag burning is not always a bad thing. it is the way you are supposed to retire flags. Once they are worn out, ripped, faded, etc. Then the only respectable way to get rid of them is to burn them. Granted, you don;t exactly just take a zippo to them, it is a whole ceremony, but that’s how it’s done. I even have a little bit of American flag ash in a film cannister somewhere in my room.
Second of all, I agree that it is incredibely hypocritical to destroy a flag to make a point like that. But we are talking about the Republicans, so we shouldn’t expect anything less.
I’d consider it desecration. I’d locate the address for the ad and complain about it, if I could. If you have it, please send it to me, or post it here so we all may complain.
I consider the Flag as a symbol of America. Free speech or not, it needs to be respected and there are proper ways to dispose of a used or worn out flag. technically, as I learned in the Boy Scouts, if the Flag touches the ground, it needs to be burned, but I’ve watched custodians take down city flags, bundle them in their arms and drag them across the grass as they go inside.
The way I look at it, a lot of blood flowed for the flag, because of that, it should be treated with respect.
I agree that it should be treated with respect, but I’m not convinced that we should be legislating respect. And I don’ t agree that people died for the flag - people died for their country. The flag is a symbol of this country, and so is McDonald’s. This seems like a flippant comparison, but a lot of foreigners take out their anti-American zeal on the local McDonald’s, as well as on our flag.
While the idea of someone burning or destroying an American flag is deeply upsetting, the thought of police arresting peaceful protesters is even more so. Our government’s toleration of criticism is one of America’s greatest strengths.
A Consitutional amendment would undermine the very principles for which the flag stands - freedom and democracy. It would also the door to other “well-intentioned” limits on our free speech.
As for Democrats destroying the flag or reversing the assembly of it, does it suprise you? If he was standing on his head singing “mr. roboto” and juggling 5 live kittens at the time, that would suprise me. Those cats dont like flying up in the air and they will hold on at any cost!!
I have utmost respect for the people who fought and died for our country. However, I don’t think they fought for our flag. The flag is a piece of cloth – a symbol.
It’s a symbol of the greatest country in the world. It’s the greatest country because it allows its citizens the freedom to criticize its government and leaders – even to the extent of burning a symbol of the country.
