is burning of the american flag !infringe on free speech

[Pikachu]

Originally posted by RubberDuckie
But where did you hear the papal flag shall be flown higher?

Basic training, and here at this unit, from special forces, and at a board for soldier of the month. It's one of our executive orders due to church being here before the US (I'm not 100% sure on the executive order though, could be a regulation)

[EvilHorace]

I can't say that I even remember the last time I saw news footage of anyone in the US burning flags, maybe just before we sent troops to Iraq? It was common during the vietnam war and at that time, I was a teenager and that act didn't bother me.
I think that most who are strongly opposed to the act of protest (which is what it is) are those who have either served in our armed forces, have relatives who are involved or have lost family, friends involved in one of our over-seas efforts.
I think that if you just returned from being in Iraq (for example), seeing your buds killed, etc and then saw a protester in the US burning a flag, you'ld be highly upset.
I don't feel that it's "free speech" and yes, our government has bigger fish to fry but if you can get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt or not crossing a street at a crosswalk, I don't have a problem with adding yet one more law to the books that'd result in a fine. It's only real purpose is to make those opposed to it feel better as it won't really stop anyone from doing that.
The problem is that one who'ld do that in a group protest where there's alot of people on his side isn't really concerned with any legal consequences at that moment, so it won't really matter either way.

[123cool]

i think flag burning should not be illegal but not encouraged eithier. then they might say we cant burn a pic of bush or throw darts at it or shoot it or well mutilate it in any way. that would really suck. oh yeah, badmojo, trout creek ny was still there undamaged yesterday when i drove through it.

dont kno the laws in America very well, but over here in england all this stuff can be considered treason which still carrys the death penaltly(not that we ever enforce it).

[MegaVectra]

While I don't agree with flag burning. I think it falls under Free Speech. As far as I am concerned it's about the freedom to express one's own opinion. The flag is a symbol for many things, but when it is burned it is usually an act showing dislike of the US government and its ideals. Wars were fought for Freedom...not a flag.