House Passes Bill Banninng Flag Burning

Ain't life funny, I just got off the bus after talking to a man who was last seen on national television burning a flag--to protest US direction of the Contra war.

I'm thinking of a public flag-burning to protest the imperial war--but with a twist: it would be pumped up as a big thing, I could bring big flags, then whip out a tiny birthday-cake flag and burn that. Heh.

burn the yellow ribbons instead

"The Flag Desecration Rag"
---David Rovics

They tried to pass an amendment in the U.S. Congress
Seems these thugs have some grievance to redress
They said we all must pledge allegiance, 'cause that is what they need
We may not desecrate their symbol of hypocrisy and greed

But the flag is just a rag (2x)
Just a worn-out, tired, dirty, blood-soaked rag

Pledge allegiance to the symbol, well how about the deed
Allegiance to democracy or blind authority
It's a flag of war from L.A. to Vietnam
It desecrates itself each time the Air Force drops a bomb

But the flag is just a rag (2x)
Just a worn-out, tired, dirty, blood-soaked rag

Like they say in Mexico*, "Yankee Go Home"
Uncle Sam and his club thinks the world's there to roam
And to make the point well they do the traditional thing
Light a match and let freedom ring

But the flag is just a rag (2x)
Just a worn-out, tired, dirty, blood-soaked rag

So burn it, stomp it, tear it up or at least hang it upside-down
Tie it to your foot and drag it on the ground
Let everybody know how many lives are gone
'Cause of idiots who said, "My country right or wrong"

But the flag is just a rag (2x)
Just a worn-out, tired, dirty, blood-soaked rag

I heard on the news that there was one flag burning incident in the entire US last year. I'm sure glad Congress is working hard on this meaningless piece of political shit. I have some Red, White and Blue rolling papers and I think I'm going to go smoke a fat one and burn old glory!

If the news reported only one flag burning incident, they are wrong and not where the protest action is. I was witness to numerous flag burning incidents in the last year. I, myself, will not create "violence," but how can some protesters state disapproval? Burning the flag is satisfactory for them.

I dislike what America has become, and I will NEVER even hold an American flag. We are corrupt and a shame to the world.

I do not want a flag amendment to stop the burning practice, and we are in trouble, people.

Congress approval rating in latest poll 17%. Most people believe Congress works for someone other than them. Now with the latest pretend legislation it will be confirmed for all to see. When this silly bit of buffoonary gets to the State legislatures where real people legislate it will die a quiet death. All the while Bush and company needs to be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity. Congress is irrelevant when real problems need real solutions. Flag burning amendment, what a JOKE!

... is it not OK to burn a flag but it's just fine & dandy to print flags on chairs that people put their butts on (saw one last week) and thong undies sold at Meier and Frank? Grosses me out! If we're going to respect it let's go all the way-no flag merchandise at all. Fucking hypocrites

There's been much discussion on this site about the U.S. flag and it's signifcance. Information and research about it can be interpreted different ways I suppose. It's my personal choice to regard the flag as an honorable symbol of rights and liberties of the highest ideals unique to this country that belong to all of us.

That's why it amazes me that passionate young activists seem willing to allow corrupt individuals to co-opt this symbol. Corrupt individuals in politics, economics, and the military, just to cite a few sources, for years, have brandished the flag, exploiting and dishonoring its integrity as they devised to profit personally with little regard for the integrity of the flag or nation that uses it as its symbol.

I would hope activists have in mind to restore the original ideals the flag symbolizes, rather than let the people who've destroyed it's honor in the eyes of the world continue to do so. If burning the flag is required in order to do this, that is not desecration, but don't let devious forces trick you into cancelling your right to this symbol and its role as a symbol of the honorable sacrifice untold citizens have made for the goal of freedom, liberty and equality of all.

burn it if you want dont if you dont want to

do it within your full rights like today, or do it and get arrested under stupid new Bush Laws tomorrow

This country under is pratically burning its whole constitution not just a few flags.

I personally dont need to burn the flag or want to but I know it should be considered as: right to free speech which I support with all my vested rights and freedoms and demand it be protected. Usually this bill dead ends with truth prevailing.

If not or if so there is seriously other important issues going on that compare to this issue like life-and-death ...heck it represents alot yes ...but its just a cloth too.

I know for a fact that more than one flag was burned in the past year, regardless we should have a bonfire of flags to ramp up those figures. One flag at a time isn't enough to show my disdain anymore, let's burn a few hundred flags at one single event. Preferably stolen flags.

When the house is burning, it a bad idea to argue aboout the drapery.

That's what this is, another useless waste of time and money by the 'fiscally conservative' reactionary right-wing of the Republican Party.

In fact the protester in the street burning a flag [any flag] give it more respect and authority of symbol the rube that hangs a tattered rag off the back of his manure truck.

By the way - I, personally, oppose the act for a couple of reasons. 1) it gives the fascists footage to fire up their mouth-breathing minions on FAUXNews, and, 2) it stinks! Most modern easily obtainable flags are made of polyester or some other similar petrochemical based material, creating a putrid smoke.

If you MUST perform such a display, at least find a natural fiber flag, it burns better and doesn't exfixiate bystanders.

Isn't everything congress does a distraction? I mean I haven't been watching everyday, but I don't remember them debating a bill to feed or house the poor, or give healthcare to those who aren't priviledged enough to afford it. Really I can't recall the state doing anything that isn't just a big charade.

What worries me even more than the obvious attack on 1st amendment free speech is the fact that the media talking heads are saying that Democratic Senators will be pressured to vote for this amendment because they have to think about re-election in 2006 and beyond. And "supposedly" the majority of Americans support this amendment. In other words: Getting re-elected seems to have more weight than defending free speech and the constitution.