Flag burning.

Should flag burning as a form of protest be prohibited?

The constitution gives us the right to protest and the right to free-speach. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United states that: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom...

of speech.

Yet it's illegal to burn a flag? What are your opinions on this topic?

Seems silly to get all bent out of shape because someone destroys a symbol of our nation. Burning a flag is making a statement and in a free nation no viewpoints should be forbidden.

I don't know who to credit but one of the best quotes I read on the subject was:

As much as I hate it when people wrap themselves in the constitution and burn the flag I hate it far worse when someone wraps themselves in the flag and burns the constitution.

I think they should make simulated flag, different materiel, that one could burn in protest but not the real thing - maybe both sides would be happy - I don't like to see it done however, too many great Americans, some giving all, served under it and I think it deserves respect.

I think it should be legal but I also think there is a better way to get their message across

Most countries have laws prohibiting desecration of their flags. Typically, this is because flags are seen as treasured national symbols, and burning them can cause severe domestic disturbances.

I don't think it should be illegal to burn the US flag, for reasons of free speech and protest. However, I am very much against the act. If you are opposing a particular US policy, I think burning the flag is a very extreme means of opposition that serves no purpose other than being inflammatory. How does lighting the national symbol on fire get your point across? If anything, it could be counter-productive and turn people off to your protests.

well its acually kinda protest because the flag stands for its country so when you burn it that means that you disrespect dishonor this country so ya its kinda wrong but thre is no punishment of it so... f*ck lets do it

the real question in who's flag is it? if it's your flag burn away, who cares what shapes are on the flag. if it's not your property it's none of your business

It is a piece of cloth or printing on plastic.
My son fought in Iraq and he fought for freedom, not for a piece of cloth.
Burn away.

It's not illegaly. You'll probably just have a giant mob that will come kill you if you do it.

*** Should flag burning as a form of protest be prohibited?

NO! NO! NO!

It's a form of protest against the government. A free country MUST allow nonviolent expressions against the government such as this. If not, then what's next, letters to the editor? Blog entries? This is a matter of fundamental rights, and the very nature of a republic.

That said, such protests must of course be done in a safe way. Burning a flag at a gas station would be a safety hazzard, but in a public place, with pedestrians at a safe distance, with no combustible matreials nearby, on a day with little wind, and fire safety professionals on hand, then sure.

Of course it should not be illegal. Government can not force people to revere a symbol. It is a clear violation of free speach to preven people from burning them.

And the way you discard an old flag that is no longer suitable for display is to burn it.

Yeah, filetofspam, I love that quote too. It is perfect.

flag burning should be legal because the it is a freedom of speech and is protected by the first amendment.. besides.. people fight for FREEDOM.. not a piece of cloth
with stars and stripes on it.. and there should be no law against it because th U.S flag code stated that if a flag becomes too worn out to fly, or no longer suitable for disply the proper way to dispose of it is to burn it..