Congress today is discussing a bill that would ban flag burning. You just knew there had to be some old Repug sitting there just waiting for the next wave of patriotism to sweep the country so he could try to nudge in this nugget of nationalism.

Patriotism is fine, but be wary of nationalism. We all know what nationalism in government can lead to. Proud to be a nation is one thing. Considering something that speaks against the nation as heresy is another, as it tend to diefy the nation.

I always say that banning flag burning is not the answer, as it is clearly unconstituional, but punching the flag-burner in the nose is. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I think if a country is going to ban flag burning than it should legalize pie throwing as a way of protest. I am sure there is more than one politician that deserves pie. Pie throwing is usually considered assault and you can do jail time for it.

I agree with Attalus.

I never really understood why flag burning is considered an atrocity. It is after all a piece of cloth and some people have way too much time on their hands. They know you will react and therefore they do it. Should everyone suddenly start to ignore flag burning this would no longer be an issue. ;) Now burning straw figurines of leaders is another thing. ;)

I like pritschkes idea! I know several hospital board members that could use a pie. :D

[ 06-03-2003, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

<font face="COMIC Sans MS" size="3" color="#7c9bc4">
I agree with Attyboy [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="gold">Not long ago, just after the war with Iraq had started, a Norwegian comedian was sued for burning the American flag in a live comedy show. The funny thing is, if he had done it in America, nothing would've happened. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

So anyway, I am totally against this law-suggestion. It is completely unnecessary, cause as Willow said, it is just a piece of cloth. But who am I to speak, as it's already is forbidden in Norway. ;) </font>

Well... the flag is the symbol which represents a country/state/orginazation. Burning the flag is a symbolic gesture that you want to set the country/state/organization to flame. Sort of anyway, I am not a flag burner and I could only guess the true motive.

But if a person took your picture and burn it in front of you, would you be pissed off? I think most of us will. That is why flag burning is seen as a grave insult to the recipient.

[ 06-03-2003, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]

Of course the real irony in a flag burning ban is that burning is the only approved method of destroying a worn out flag...

Nice post about nationalism TL [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] - but like me, you have probably predicted the responses and the respondees - I managed to before I started into them [img]smile.gif[/img] .

I am not a supporter of flag burning, but I am even less a supporter of nationalism. At least the former can be included in the Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy as "Mostly Harmless".