Just so yall know, I only read the OP, so excuse me if im being redundant when I say "Isnt burning the flag the only honorable way to dispose of the American flag as set forth in the constiution?"

It should be a crime, depending on the context. If you burn it with respect, it should be fine. If you burn it at...a protest or something, then you are sorta a jerk, and ive always thought that being a jerk should be a punishable crime...so yeah.

padd:

The point is you have limited the flag to specific piece of rectangular cloth. Yet you say that burning it is a sign of disrespect while all other unusual uses of this symbol don't mean anything because they happen to be "just painted with flag colors".

It also seems that some are giving too much importance to a piece of cloth instead of what it actually symbolizes. IMHO, people who trample on people's freedoms, rights and personal liberty while waving the flag proudly are doing way more disservice to the flag than those who actually burn it in protest of these same people.

I understand the disrespect issue.

But most people don't understand the problems associated with it.

What would be defined as a US flag?

Say I got a little tag on my jeans that looks like a flag. Does that count? Can I burn my jeans?

What if I got a flag with only 49 stars? Does that count? Maybe I have 15 stripes?

What about those situations when burning the flag is appropriate? Burning the flag is THE proper way to dispose of a flag.

So what do you punish? What does the police investigate? Why are we so worried about what others do? Plus, there is a freedom of speech issue.

Punishment for being a jerk?

So if I were to call someone an ****.but mean it in the best of intentions, hoping they change their ways...that should be okay.

But if I say it just to be a jerk, I should get punished?

(Still new to the site, so if this comment is redundant, I apologize in advance)...

What are the limitations on what a flag is?

Does the little tag on my jeans that looks like the US flag count? Can I not burn my jeans?

What about a flag with 49 stars, or 15 stripes? Does that count as a flag? Cause it certainly isn't a US flag.

Why does our patriotism rely so much on the actions of others? Cause I have to tell you, there are bigger violations to the Constitution of the US today that should violate the patriotism of people than burning a piece of fabric that was colored a specific way.

There's some delightful irony in the idea of criminalizing flag burning. If you take away people's ability to express themselves in such a way, you end up devaluing the flag and what it symbolizes. At that point, I think, a person who happened to have a flag might as well burn it. I'd probably burn one at city hall for kicks. I'd get fined or tossed in jail, but it would be so worth it. There's little I hate more than fascism.

I hope it becomes illegal so I can do just that.

Question...

For you, fascism = bad;

Communism = good?

No. Communism sucks.

I had a friend over earlier- and they questioned why I was reading some of these posts but not saying my piece on it- So here it goes;

but to warn ya- I debate- a lot- and I don't give up easily- And I'm also extremely opinionated on American pride/anything that has to do w/ America and the military. And debating stuff like this pisses me off sometimes.

I think it's extremely disrespectful to America to burn a flag to make a point. (like it looked like that image that someone posted of the flag burning in tibet- or wherever.

I think if you're burning it because it's old/ragged/worn/faded- It's out of respect for your country, not disrespectful.

I think that burning the flag out of respect (to get rid of it when/if you got a new one) Should not be considered a criminal offense. There are local groups of people who will burn your flags for you- if you don't want to do it- then don't.

But if you're burning one to make a point-out of disrespect- it should be.

As for other points/thoughts- I only skimmed through a few of the posts- I'll read more later if I get around to it.

http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ndceu/AmericanFlag.jpg
that's actually just a picture of a flag..

I doubt your jeans have as much meaning as a nations flag.

If it's not an official nation flag.. or even regional flag.. there is no value to it. Burnt or not.

to be honest, freedom of speech has been getting strecthed beyond reason in recent years. 50 years ago you'd be hung up upside down if you burnt a flag. Soon enough people are gonna be yelling racist re-marks and instead of apologizing like the newest fad brought to you by Kramer and Dog the Bounty Hunter.. they'll say the reason why they called this man a racial slur.. FREEDOM of SPEECH.

face it, freedom of speech is being streched without reason.. but that's another story.