# Will a flag-burning amendment pass in the states? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 3, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280 "2003-06-03T01:50:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280/101 "2003-06-06T00:35:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > **Bricker** , > I haven’t always agreed with you but I’ve always thought you were reasonable and thoughtful. I also respect, and have deferred to, your knowledge as a lawyer. Your support for this amendement, though, really surprises me. I wonder if you’ve let your personal revulsion at the act cloud your judgement here. You know something? It’s quite possible. When I picture someone contemptuously burning the flag, I always picture the specific flag that was draped over my uncle David’s coffin. Uncle David died inside a tank, in Europe, during World War II, wearing the uniform of his country. I may well be approaching this overloaded with emotion, and not considering the very rational arguments against this amendment. > [@](#): > > I’m amazed that you can’t see (or won’t acknowledge) how utterly inappropriate this proposed amendment is. I beg you to reevaluate your position on this. You’re smarter than this, I know you are. Fair request, especially since I agree that I may be deciding based on very personal reasons, which are not always the best reasons for legislating. Let me think about this for a while. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280/102 "2003-06-06T00:36:35Z")
The Devil is in the definitions. Clearly, this must be an “anti-desecration” amendment, not an “anti-burning”. Can’t go to all that trouble and just ban disrespectful burning (Respectful burning being not only acceptable but obligatory, according to my Boy Scout Handbook). It must, of course, include such acts as smearing disgusting substances upon it. Spitting surely will count as a desecration, or any urinary or ejaculatory liquid. How about banging it with your shoe, Iraq style? Would that only be illegal for Iraqi-Americans? Can you flip the flag the bird? If soiled by a pigeon, must we shoot the pigeon? Perhaps we should go a bit futher, demand some sort respectful gesture, some positive affirmation, tug the forelock, genuflection, a curtsey, something along those lines. On second thought, let’s forget this whole stupid idea. ---
**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280/103 "2003-06-06T04:11:18Z")
Actually according to some flag enthusiast site I was reading some of the newer flags are made from polymers and they recomend burying them in boxes rather than burning. I forget where they are on the 'net or I would link you. I need to find them again to point out that St David is the patron saint of Wales not Cornwall. ---
**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280/104 "2003-06-06T04:18:15Z")
OK, that was quick. It’s the [North American Vexillological Association](http://www.nava.org/site_map.htm) and my memory was a bit off. On the fifth Q&A page Dave Martucci states the following: > [@](#): > > There is no prescribed ceremony for burning a flag. The local VFW simply places the worn-out flags in a metal barrel (they do it on Memorial Day) and set fire to them and salute. I have heard of other more elaborate services but you are free to make up your own. BTW, even though the flag code recommends burning, modern materials are not environmentally safe to burn and may require a burning permit. Check with your local officials. In some places they bury the old flags in a box rather than burn them. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Harvey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@Max\_Harvey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Harvey)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280/105 "2003-06-08T22:12:43Z")
If such an amendment became part of the Constitution, would it be considered “desecration” if someone refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance? For all the criticism from conservatives about “political correctness,” I’m not aware of any liberals wanting to change the Constitution to prohibit something that offends them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-flag-burning-amendment-pass-in-the-states/179280.md?page=5)