• 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!

Is flag burning free speech?

Should flag burning be protected as free speech?

  • Yes, I agree with the supreme court ruling

    Votes: 49 81.7%
  • No, flag burning should be illegal/a crime

    Votes: 7 11.7%
  • I am not sure

    Votes: 1 1.7%
  • Other, explain

    Votes: 3 5.0%

  • Total voters
    60
Though I do not approve of the act, personally, I do believe that it is protected speech.
 
The supreme court says flag burning is protected speech under the first amendment.

Do you agree?

Texas v. Johnson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you consider the literal definition of speech, then no its not free speech. Because speech is the expressing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions by the articulation of words. Burning anything is not the articulation of words. Burning stuff is no more speech than someone defecating on the sidewalk,someone walking around nude,someone urinating on the ground.
Speech | Define Speech at Dictionary.com
 
Last edited:
Of course it falls under the 1st amendment.
 
If you consider the literal definition of speech, then no its not free speech. Because speech is the expressing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions by the articulation of words. Burning anything is not the articulation of words. Burning stuff is no more speech than someone defecating on the sidewalk,someone walking around nude,someone urinating on the ground.
Speech | Define Speech at Dictionary.com

Quite a bit of precedence indicates that "speech" as defined in the 1st Amendment goes beyond the spoken word.
 
Yes, it is. I don't get where the room for debate is here.
 
Flag burning should absolutely be legal. Not sure about the ruling, but that's my decision. No compromise.
 
I think it should be treason, but it's legal and under the first amendment.
 
Rights are their most important when it seems most reasonable to take them away. Flag burning is a good example of that truism.
 
Yes, it is. I don't get where the room for debate is here.

I took a law class a few years ago and this ruling was discussed in class... the class was divided on the issue, and it was college class.. lol, so yea, there apparently is room for debate in some people's minds. BTW the one's against flag burning were the loudest majority and an actual applause broke out in the class. WTF
 
Absolutely, it is protected as a freedom of speech right. Offensive speech/actions are not only protected, but they are the heart of what the first amendment actually stands for.
 
Why?

........

It's an outright rejection of one's country, and a defilement of the symbol of that country, I view it as a rejection of everything that country is, does and stands for, and a person who does burn the flag in protest should be forced to leave or charged with treason. Though I also like flag burning being legal just for irony's sake.
 
It's an outright rejection of one's country, and a defilement of the symbol of that country, I view it as a rejection of everything that country is, does and stands for, and a person who does burn the flag in protest should be forced to leave or charged with treason. Though I also like flag burning being legal just for irony's sake.

I find flag burning in bad taste, but I don't think it should be classified as treason. After all, it is just a flag.
 
Yes, but it is like listening to the Village Idiot. You all secretly wish a stray dog will spray him with urine while he is going on his tirade.
 
:shrug: I view it rather symbolically.

It's a symbolic representation of the government, and country, but it isn't actually the government, or the country. Treason would actually involve trying to destroy the actual government, not just a symbolic symbol of said government.
 
as much I would love to see those people that burn the Flag catch themselves on fire. It's protected speech.
 
It's an outright rejection of one's country, and a defilement of the symbol of that country, I view it as a rejection of everything that country is, does and stands for, and a person who does burn the flag in protest should be forced to leave or charged with treason. Though I also like flag burning being legal just for irony's sake.

What if they are sent to another country, and they just burn that countries flag too?
 
I can't vote because I'm not USian but I'd like to add a few points.

A flag can only be used as a weapon in direct proportionality to the the emotional significance that you invest in it. The "offended" project their own personal politics into the flag, the "offensive" recognise this as a tool to antagonise them. If your whole political belief system hinges on a piece of coloured cotton then you get the offence you deserve.

I don't believe that anyone has the right to "not be offended". If you find flag burning "offensive" then too bad, get over yourself, other people have a right to express themselves freely as long as they are not physically harming anyone.
 
:shrug: I view it rather symbolically.

Ironically it's considered patriotic to burn a flag in some situations... Don't fly a tattered flag or let a flag touch the ground. Once a flag becomes "desecrated" it's time to burn it...

I also heard a military rumor about a match, bullet, and razor being placed at the flag poles on military bases. You're supposed to cut the flag down and burn it, if the enemy is going to take the base. Don't give the flag to the enemy... but that it's just a myth
 
Last edited:
Ironically it's considered patriotic to burn a flag in some situations... Don't fly a tattered flag or let a flag touch the ground. Once a flag becomes "desecrated" it's time to burn it...

I also heard a military rumor about a match, bullet, and razor being placed at the flag poles on military bases. You're supposed to cut the flag down and burn it, if the enemy is going to take the base. Don't give the flag to the enemy... but that it's just a myth

That spawned an idea; perhaps a "National Flag Day" every year where everyone burns a flag to show their Government that they are not slaves to jingoism and then makes a pledge to universal freedom of speech and freedom of association.
 
Ironically it's considered patriotic to burn a flag in some situations... Don't fly a tattered flag or let a flag touch the ground. Once a flag becomes "desecrated" it's time to burn it...

I also heard a military rumor about a match, bullet, and razor being placed at the flag poles on military bases. You're supposed to cut the flag down and burn it, if the enemy is going to take the base. Don't give the flag to the enemy... but that it's just a myth

There is a huge difference between retiring a flag and burning in protest. When we burn the Flag to retire it's done in a ceremony with the UT most respect to the Flag and to what it represent. When you burn the flag in protest it usually done to show one's disrespect/hatred to what it represent.
 
There is a huge difference between retiring a flag and burning in protest. When we burn the Flag to retire it's done in a ceremony with the UT most respect to the Flag and to what it represent. When you burn the flag in protest it usually done to show one's disrespect/hatred to what it represent.

It's still destroying a flag with fire... the intent is different, but it's ironic, you have to admit. It's actually funny...
 
Back
Top Bottom