What about if your an American soldier, and the flag has become tattered in the wind, and through some misfortunate turn of events durring it's withdrawl touched the ground? Can you burn it then???

Why exactly in your mind does comitting such an act make someone an "asshole?"

You had such a good arguement, until you ended it with such a backwater statement.

According to Congress? Of course. The real problem is the use of the word "desecration" leaves open the possibility of prosecuting other forms of expression involving the flag, if the act is found to "desecrate" it.

Think of every piece of American flag styled clothing out there. Think of the American flag used as a symbol in anti-establishment art. Think of any act of protest in which a flag is at all damaged. If this amendment were to pass, prosecution of any or all of these things is a possibility given the whims of a future session of Congress.

"When I say burn one I mean the star-spangled."

Read closer. It makes you an asshole in my personal opinion...to the same extent that using racial epithets makes you an asshole in my personal opinion. It's my own fucking opinion...and I possess both the intellgence & maturity to separate my own personal opinion from something that I think does not need to be and should not be legislated by a constitutional amendment.

My argument is still a good argument.

Are you actually interested in why I think burning a flag makes you an asshole? If so...allow me to elucidate. I think it makes you an asshole because there is no exchange of ideas. When you burn a flag all you are doing is attempting to piss peple off. You are not trying to debate...you are not engaging in a discussion...you're not trying to say anything but "fuck you"...and "fuck you" never solved anything. It never fixed anything.

Well, the proper way to dispose of a flag is to burn it. It prevents it from ending up underneath banana peels and special sauce from the hamburgers in the garbage when the flag is worn out and needs to be retired. Flame retardant flags might make disposing of somewhat difficult.

yes but "fuck you" leads to fights and fights fix things usually

I read what you said for what it was, nothing more.

My question was about YOUR oppinion, not your arguement.


Here is my rebuttle:

Even having a flag is as much a statment of "fuck you" as is burning one! A flag is a symbol, a symbol that represents a nation/ideal/possition ext. To the people that benefit from said flag the image is empowering, from those that don't it is the complete opposite. You are right, burning a flag is a big FUCK YOU, and nothing more. BUT having a flag to begin with is a BIG fuck you too, to the rest of the world tha thas to deal with your national, symbolic reality.

If you have a symbol that shows your power to the world you are in fact saying FUCK YOU to the world. It's like walking around a party holding your cock, and talking about how big it is. Sure, burning that flag is rude, but so is having the image to begin with.

Like I said, as long as there are flags, I'll burn them!

As an artist I know the power of imagery, and I know what OUR flag means to the rest of the world. What it means to Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe. As a symbol it is one of the most oppressive visual creations since Alexandra the Great. It has more of an audience then the Swastika did, and besides the cross, and the McDonalds Arches it is the most known symbole across the globe. To the LARGE majority of the world, when they see that flag (image) all it means is oppression.

Therefore burning it is a giant FUCK YOU, and I relish that! Just like your fucking profile picture, but hey....

actually the new flags made in China are flame retardant...

Yeah, that'll show all those fascists in New Paltz!

No, it's only OK to burn an American flag if it's made in Mexico.

You don't know my history, where I am from, what my history is, or who I am!

But thanks for the sarcasim, it shows your ignorance.

How is New Orleans by the way? Does it make you want to fly your flag proud? Pledge Alegience and all that? Hand over the heart???

Actually I heard if it's made in Mexico that we should deport it first, then hire someone in Tijuana to burn it for us at 1 cent a pound of flags...

Dude. She was kidding.

What are you, some kind of asshole or something?

Look...I want to maintain a civil tone & continue productive discussion...but I find it wholly preposterous that you can equate burning a flag with merely possessing one. Burning a flag is an overt act of defiance. There is nothing open to interpretation. How you can equate that to merely possessing a flag is ludicrous.

Clearly, it is possible to display a flag in an threatening or disrespectful manner. However...that is not what you said...you stated that mere possession is an affront.

As an artist...you know what the American flag means to the rest of the world? I have to admit...that's a pretty impressive feat...to know what the majority of the rest of the known world feels about the American flag.

Of course...I do have a feeling that it is your own personal opinion influencing your beliefs...not actual, empirical knowledge.

You are letting your personal opinion of The government & policies of the United States affect your grasp of common sense.

Take an example such as the World Cup...do you believe that a German fan...displaying the German flag...is overtly offending France, Poland, Russia and to a certain extent Israel? Is it possible...maybe...that it is nothing more than a benign display of affection towards the German national soccer team?

You assert that the mere existence of the American Flag is an insult to the entire continents of Europe, Africa and Asia. How then, did such an oppressive entity manage to avoid offending Australia, South America, Antarctica and the portions of North America not including the United States of America?

So then...like...is the entire nation of Luxembourg personally offended because there is an American flag on the right shoulder of my department uniform?

You want to burn flags? Go right ahead. I'd vote against any measure to outlaw flag burning as a form of protest. Like I said before...it's most likely already illegal based on most city ordinances & fire codes. I'm not against flag burning in a legal or philosophical context.

As far as the "fuck you" factor of burning a flag...don't put all of your anti-establishment eggs in that proverbial basket. All you're doing is posturing for the people who already disagree with you...and I hold you AND them in the same regard...broken records.