• 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!

Burning your own flag is freedom of speech. Burning your neighbors is vandalism

independentusa said:
I have seen at least two cons writing that taking a knife to the Baby Trump should be covered under free speech, but it is not. SCOTUS has spoken that when you burn your own flag it is covered by the 1st Amendment to the constitution as free speech. To desecrate your neighbors flag is a violation of the law. So when you take a knife to baby Trump you have violated the law, unless you own the balloon. It would never be covered by the 1st Amendment.
Click to expand...

conservatives on this site? conservative pundits? who are we talking about?

destruction of "private property" is a crime....period

It is, was, and always will be a crime

not sure who said differently, but they are wrong on all counts
 
In mafia, whacking someone is sending a message. Same with a horse head in bed.
 
tacomancer said:
So people are so thin skinned that they would react to burning fabric or plastic? Then those people have poor self control. That's not on the protestor.
Click to expand...

Yes, even tho it is not a question of thin skin. Have you bled for your country? Or just sat at home watching comedic war movies? The people who intentionally provoke have no self control. That is on the protestor.
 
independentusa said:
What the hell are you talking about. Those people who knifed the balloon BROKE THE LAW, not those who have ever burned the flag. You can not get around that. Watch and listen to something other than Fox News and Rush Limgaugh. And as far as burning the flag, there is an old saying, I hate what you did but I will give my life to insure you can do it. I find it funny as back when I went to college and people were burning flags, most cons were totally aghast at the fact that people were wearing clothing that were made up to look like our flag. They thought it was terrible and now it is considered a sign of respect.
Click to expand...

They both are wrong. Never watch fox or limburger.
 
If you buy a flag, hang it on your porch and I burn it, that's a crime. If I buy a flag and burn it, it's not a crime. Free speech is held in such high regard in this country that a symbol many love can be treated poorly.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Yes, even tho it is not a question of thin skin. Have you bled for your country? Or just sat at home watching comedic war movies? The people who intentionally provoke have no self control. That is on the protestor.
Click to expand...
There were plenty of people who were in the military (who even got injured on occasion) that still have no problem with this expression and even though they did a valued service, they are just as much citizen as any other citizen. That talisman does not make one special.

Some parts of this country's culture is way too militaristic.

It is still on the one provoked.
 
Last edited:
OldFatGuy said:
Apparently dumbass partisans hate the truth.

Bummer.
Click to expand...

What the hell truth re you talking about? You are trying to say that burning your own flag violates the law. You are dead wrong. I guess that is a real bummer for you.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Burning the American flag, a symbol of national pride, is an attempt to provoke reactionary responses, the more violent the better. Not dissimilar to shouting fire in a movie theater. With freedom comes responsibility. Because of an idiotic provocation, people can be injured and some could die. With this in mind is burning a flag a exercise in free speech, or an example of hate and provocation for its own sake?
Click to expand...

Constitutionally protected political speech.
 
OldFatGuy said:
They both are wrong. Never watch fox or limburger.
Click to expand...

Then what are you talking about. Just so you know I volunteered for the military right after finishing college in 1969. I also come from a military family with 8 of 9 children serving and my father was a 26 yer vet and none would be stupid enough to say it violates the law to burn a flag.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Yes, even tho it is not a question of thin skin. Have you bled for your country? Or just sat at home watching comedic war movies? The people who intentionally provoke have no self control. That is on the protestor.
Click to expand...

You can say it as much as you like, but this is destruction of property that didn't belong to the destroyer.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Yes, even tho it is not a question of thin skin. Have you bled for your country? Or just sat at home watching comedic war movies? The people who intentionally provoke have no self control. That is on the protestor.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but being provocative is neither illegal nor wrong. Martin Luther King Jr was provocative. Susan B. Anthony was provocative. Mahatma Gandhi was provocative. The Nazis who marched in Skokie, Illinois were provocative. Their protest behavior enraged people. It made people discuss the issue at hand. Some of those people became violent. Same when some people see the flag burned in protest.

You're arguing that people who become violent or vandals in the sight of something "outrageous" must not be held accountable for their own behavior.
 
I wonder were all those people who felt anyone wearing a MAGA "got what they deserve" when there property was stolen or damaged are and why they aren't also defending this action? Probably hiding the same place all those up in arms over the MAGA vandalism are who are now silent on this issue.
 
tacomancer said:
There were plenty of people who were in the military (who even got injured on occasion) that still have no problem with this expression and even though they did a valued service, they are just as much citizen as any other citizen. That talisman does not make one special.

Some parts of this country's culture is way too militaristic.

It is still on the one provoked.
Click to expand...

Do tell of your own experience. Hearsay is for gossiping old washerwomen.
 
independentusa said:
What the hell truth re you talking about? You are trying to say that burning your own flag violates the law. You are dead wrong. I guess that is a real bummer for you.
Click to expand...

Did I say that, or are you interpolating your own projections?
 
independentusa said:
Then what are you talking about. Just so you know I volunteered for the military right after finishing college in 1969. I also come from a military family with 8 of 9 children serving and my father was a 26 yer vet and none would be stupid enough to say it violates the law to burn a flag.
Click to expand...

I don't believe you.
 
Stealers Wheel said:
Sorry, but being provocative is neither illegal nor wrong. Martin Luther King Jr was provocative. Susan B. Anthony was provocative. Mahatma Gandhi was provocative. The Nazis who marched in Skokie, Illinois were provocative. Their protest behavior enraged people. It made people discuss the issue at hand. Some of those people became violent. Same when some people see the flag burned in protest.

You're arguing that people who become violent or vandals in the sight of something "outrageous" must not be held accountable for their own behavior.
Click to expand...

None of those you state were provocateurs did so with intent to provoke violence, perhaps with the exception of the Nazis in Skokie? And no, I am arguing for responsibility for actions of violence.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Do tell of your own experience. Hearsay is for gossiping old washerwomen.
Click to expand...

Whether or not I have that experience means nothing to this topic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom