Thu 29 Jun 2006 06:01
Rob brings up the Flag Burning Issue. We think anyone who deems it necessary to burn a symbol of America is shit and has serious issues. Rob, says it’s a victimless crime. But, is it? We like Rob and while we understand his point, we think Rob is wrong and here’s why:
What purpose does it serve to burn the flag? Think about that. Being disillusioned over politics is no reason to burn the flag. It’s a cheap and easy way out. It doesn’t fix the political situation and one is left with ashes, a mess to clean up, and to what purpose?
It’s the equivalent to a child holding his breath.
Burning the flag is akin to fasting for peace. It’s hyperbole that goes nowhere. What is the purpose in burning the flag? Should we have the right to burn the flag? In the end yes and we do, but for us the bigger question is, why would we want to? The slight gain of media notoriety as a result of public flag burning does more to harm the protesters cause than to aid it. If the same amount of time and effort were spent on a professional lobbying effort, the results would be significantly concrete. People who are accomplishing their aims are busy working the internet, the media, the Congress, corporate sponsors, and local political parties. Losers who are accomplishing nothing burn flags in the street for 1 minute of 6 o’ clock news coverage…because they don’t actually have a viable message,
We think, it’s okay to be patriotic. It’s okay to fly the flag. It’s okay to respect what it stands for and in case some of you have forgotten, it stands for much good. Oh we have problems, but in the scope of life, our problems are miniscule.
Attached on the sleeve of the U.S. soldier is an American flag.That flag is symbolic of the greatest Nation on earth. We rather like it that way. With all due respect to Rob, we disagree, burning the flag is wrong.
There is a difference between “having the right” to do something and ” is it right” to do something.
Like a good parent who will only tolerate his child’s temper tantrum for so long before a swift kick to the backside is applied; so it should be to those who in a fit burn the flag.
We are Americans, and not only should we be okay with it, we should take pride in it, and all her symbols as well.
From Ben Stein on Defending The Flag
3 Responses to “Flag Burning”
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June 29th, 2006 at 12:22
I beg to differ! :-)
Actually, it looks like we agree more than we disagree.
I agree with you that:
1) flag burners are morons,
2) burning the flag is wrong*,
3) flag burners accomplish nothing by burning a flag, and, in Malcontent’s own words…
4) “Should we have the right to burn the flag? In the end yes, but for us the bigger question is, why would we want to?”
We shouldn’t have anything banned if it doesn’t need to be banned. That’s my point, ultimately.
I think burning the flag is wrong, just like you do. But, burning your 1920’s-baseball card collection is wrong, too. And neither of those two things should be against the law.
It is political expression, IMO, to burn a symbol. To me the flag is a symbol of pride, respect, sacrifice, and freedom….if someone wants to burn a symbol like that, well, then they are assholes, to be blunt, and they should be careful doing something like that around someone like me.
But I still see it as a victimless crime, though. It might hurt someone’s feelings to see the flag burned…but I dont want to be like Europe where there is laws against hurting someone’s feelings.
*I did say that I saw nothing wrong with flag-burning…and I meant I see nothing legally wrong with it. I do, though, see other things wrong with it: it’s stupid, it’s annoying, it’s immature, etc…
June 29th, 2006 at 13:30
I submitted a comment, Im not sure if its in moderation or if I screwed it up…this is a test!
July 1st, 2006 at 12:32
I just read Ben Steins piece, and as always, he makes many good points.
I agree with him on the absurdity (if that is what he is saying) of the various things you cant say b/c they are illegal, but his point about child porn in valid.
All in all, its quite a tricky question…