• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Should you be allowed to burn the American flag?

Do you agree with President Trump

  • Yes. Should be a constitutional amendment

    Votes: 7 9.9%

  • No. It's freedom of speech

    Votes: 50 70.4%

  • Love Trump, but disagree with his viewpoint

    Votes: 6 8.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 8 11.3%
  • Total voters
    71
  • Poll closed .
Casper said:
If I burn someone's else's property there are already laws against that, sooooo, no new Flag law is required. Thanks for playing...
Click to expand...
Which does not respond to the question posed in the title of the thread. It did not ask what is or what is not required. It asked whether you believe it should be allowed. If the question is : Should you be allowed to burn the American Flag? and the answer you give is: there are already laws against that if I burn someone else's property, then you have failed to answer the question that was asked, now haven't you, because you aren't saying squat about what you believe and what you don't.

I actually wanted to answer the question that was asked, and I believe that answer depends on whether you have the consent of the owners of the flag to burn it or not. So I answered with both in mind



You are looking pretty desperate to get a 'gotcha' moment here...

this is getting funny.
 
Last edited:
ClaraD said:
It is legal per the Constitution. It is speech. Do I like it? no, I don't like the burning of any national flag, it is disrespectful, but its legal. I think even the hanging of a noose in public is disgusting, but it is legal...hate or not, it is protected speech...where that crosses the line is if you hang the noose in front of someone's home...similar to burning a cross, it is intimidation and illegal.
Click to expand...
Isn't the cancel culture all about intimidation to limit speech? Comply or we will burn your livelihood down; literally and figuratively.

My point is once speech becomes more than the spoken or written word a lot more becomes speech than flag burning.

Taking a dump on the Capitol steps could be speech.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
 
Superfly said:
Texas v. Johnson (1989).

He's just trying to toss red meat to the base that's stupid enough to buy into it.
Click to expand...

"THE" american flag is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. "A" flag is just a copy/knockoff of the real thing..probably made in somewhere else than america. I like pointing that out to right-wingers. :)
 
It's not just freedom of speech, it's also personal property rights. Assuming that I didn't steal someone else's, then I own that specific flag that I am burning. As my property, I can do with it anything I want as long as it does not cause harm to another. Being offended is not harm.
 
Moot said:
If burning the flag is wrong....then so is wearing the flag as apparel.
Click to expand...

With the exception of burning a flag to retire it (you don't throw it away), then both are against protocol. But protocol is not law.
 
mrjurrs said:
You said "wearing the flag as apparel". Your new examples are not what you said initially...start a new thread. (edit...think I was responding to another that said "wearing the flag as apparel"
Click to expand...

There are some people who equate the two. In the end there are multiple camps on the overall subject. You got people out there who will threaten you for burning the flag but can't see how it is equally disrespectful to put one on your truck and let the wind sheer turn it into tatters.
 
Bullseye said:
I don't agree with the year in jail, but I agree that burning the flag should be illegal.

The flag is the symbol of our nation at the highest level; a symbol of our highest aspirations and beliefs. It should serve as a reminder of our rights.

Obviously, in reality society fails to attain those lofty goals and inspirational attitudes. Thus, as guaranteed by the system the flag represents people have the right to protest and criticize the gaps between what we should be aspiring to and what currently IS.

My feeling is that protests, debates, etc. should occur UNDER the flag - as it flies as a symbol of the rights we exercise.
Click to expand...

The moment that you value the object over what it stands for/teaches, you have already violated such. This applied to Bibles and other holy books as well as many other things. The freedom is far more important than any physical representation of that freedom.


Burning anything is destructive; we don't burn things to honor them or to show our devotion to them.
Click to expand...

What do you think many funeral pyres were about? In some cultures of the past, the dishonored dead were left to be eaten by scavengers, and the honored were burned.
 
Old 'N Chill said:
As with most things, I disagree with the idiot. You can burn the flag, it's freedom of speech. Trump wants to take away that freedom, and the freedom not to stand during the national anthem. Trump is anti-American, he's working hard to pick away at the rights of Americans. Meanwhile, he's not burning the flag, he's burning up the country he's supposed to serve and defend. Mr. Putin is smiling because of his puppet.
Click to expand...

It is actually against the law to force any show or act of patriotism.
 
SomeCents said:
Can't tell you how many times we've filed for the appropriate "burn" permits to host a proper retirement ceremony. The Fire Department not only attends but is appropriately reverent.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't proper protocol that a flag to be retired be burned in private and without ceremony? I can see the need for a permit in specific conditions, such as outright fire bans.
 
Lutherf said:
If you buy your own flag and burn it you're simply an asshole. If you steal someone else's flag and burn it then you're a thief and an arsonist.
Click to expand...

Kaepernick used his OWN knee, and was called a son of a bitch. Trump would have liked to imprison him for a year too. And he would have liked him to be treated rough, putting him in the car. Trump is a pansie assed thug. A primped ladyman. There is nothing patriotic about him, but he will tell everyone else, what patriotism is.
 
Yes...its a Constitutional right. If you burn it in front of the wrong people and get an ass whupping, well...you are entitled to that as well. But no, you shouldnt be arrested and criminally charged with anything provided its your own flag that you purchased, and you are doing it in a safe and controlled manner and not obstructing traffic or public walkways.
 
ClaraD said:
it is a symbol...and whether we like it or not...burning it or any other flag is political speech and protected under the Constitution. I personally would love to make a bonfire out of the confederate flags I see around here...but I haven't...I just chalk it up to ignorance and not loving this country...so, if burning the US flag can become illegal...so can flying the Confederate flag...as it is a symbol of betrayal to the US.
Click to expand...

As a point of logic, the US flag is a symbol of betrayal to England, given that we started as British colonies.
 
Saw the title and was going to vote but, the OP did not want peoples opinion unless they clicked on his opinions in the selections he posted.

Some that are senseless:

example - Should you be allowed to burn the American flag? Selection choice #2 No. It's freedom of speech. IT would be correctly stated if it said "Yes. It's freedom of speech", but, I would disagree with that also, burning is an action, not words, i.e., speech.
 
Superfly said:
How about a cup of coffee? A little early for beer in my neck of the woods. :lol:
Click to expand...

Coffee is my beer! Although I do enjoy a nice mead or cider.
 
code1211 said:
I've already sent a Facebook post to the Indianapolis Colts letting them know that I support the right to perform upcoming pissing on the Flag that some of their players will undoubtedly do.

I let them know that if they piss on my Flag, I piss on them. Both will done in a figurative way. I'm pretty much positive that the Colts players will not care about me and will not care about the country.
Click to expand...

Well it is the Colts. The only good thing to ever come from them is the use of their stadium for GenCon.
 
Eriech said:
Should you be able to buy rope; tie nooses and leave them in trees or garages?
Click to expand...

Only if you have permission of the property owner.

Should you be able to buy 2×6s, assemble crosses and burn them in the public square?
Click to expand...

With the appropriate burning permit.

How about buying and burning a flag of Mexico?
Click to expand...

Again, with the property owner's permission or the appropriate burning permit.

Does the constitution protect these as well?
Click to expand...

It's supposed to

How about looting, pillaging, desecration of churches and public property?
Click to expand...

That is destruction of another's property, without their permission. Nowhere near the same thing.

I suspect they would all fall into the hate crime category.
Click to expand...

Hate crime laws are a violation of the 1st Amendment, although I doubt that you would find many judges who would rule as such.

Just as when someone hates our country enough to burn our flag.
Click to expand...

It represents us, but the physical object only belongs to the one who purchased it, or received it as a gift.

A flag, generations of American have died defending.
Click to expand...

As one of those defenders (10 years US Navy), I will tell you it is more important to defend the freedoms of this country than any symbol of it.
 
maquiscat said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't proper protocol that a flag to be retired be burned in private and without ceremony? I can see the need for a permit in specific conditions, such as outright fire bans.
Click to expand...
You are correct: a prescribed ceremony is not required although, as I understand it, reverence to the event is suggested. I will say, though, it's generally more of a communal event as opposed to something private.

We need a permit because we live in an urban area where "burns" are, generally speaking, not allowed. I would also note that in rural areas, they also have "burn" prohibitions (mostly because of prevailing conditions...usually overly dry). The folks who'd do this... generally follow the rules because they know they're usually there for a reason....kinda like...wear a mask, wash your hands, don't touch your face.

Again, I'll thank you, maquiscat, for really reading through the thread and picking out something sincere to comment on. :)
 
Eriech said:
Beautiful formatting for your post. Can't do that on my phone. My aplogies.
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Having Tapatalk myself, yes you can. It's a pain in the arse, and I don't bother for larger posts often, waiting till I can get to my laptop. But it can be done.
 
VanceMack said:
Yes...its a Constitutional right. If you burn it in front of the wrong people and get an ass whupping, well...you are entitled to that as well. But no, you shouldnt be arrested and criminally charged with anything provided its your own flag that you purchased, and you are doing it in a safe and controlled manner and not obstructing traffic or public walkways.
Click to expand...

Assault is a violation of rights, sans permission of the assaulted, such as in boxing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom