Quote:
Originally Posted by VRM
Jamo,
No fine hairs there at all - you simply picked a poor example.
I like CWs response, but my answer is yes. They are mine, I should be allowed to do what I want with them. However, should I deface one and try to spend it then the person I am giving it to should have the right to refuse it.
There is nothing about the United States that I consider 100% sacred, and the Founding Fathers bear this out by including the right to bear arms in our Constitution and the statement about it being our right and duty to throw off government should it not meet our needs.
Our flag, currency, Uncle Sam, and Constitution represent our government more than any other particular item.
I consider the burning/desecration of flags or currency to be like the Boston Tea Party, except that you are using your own private property as the form of protest. We hardly ever see the Constitution being burned in effigy - I think this is perhaps because the people doing the burning/defacing do not have a problem with what our government should be, but rather what it currently is.
Steve
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I would argue that the flag represents our nation more than our government, a nation that through its history has time and time again shown nobleness in its efforts to keep people free. I know this is not accepted in the liberal ranks along with American Exceptionalism. But it does no harm in a free society to show honor and respect for that which symbolizes our values and to protect that symbol from desecration.
And it is not our right to through government when not meeting our needs but it is, when it does not protect our rights.