Desecration of the Flag Should be Prohibited
... their efforts express unhappiness with the government or its actions. Limiting a person's right to free expression is not a radical new idea either; speaking or writing false statements that harm others (slander and libel) are illegal and have been for a long time. To allow desecration of a national symbol based on the "free speech" clause is a flimsy misuse of the constitution. The act of burning a flag does not address any specific grievance; it only expresses unhappiness with the United States in general. Persons who are generally unhappy with this country should be able to find a better way to express their displeasure. The ineffective nature of protesting in this manner is summarized well by Robert Goldstein:"a generally high counterproductive political tactic - one that mostly alienates people and makes them turn away before they have a chance of grasping any particular message that such conduct seeks to convey" (preface, Pg XI). Flag burning is not a necessary or effective way to protest against any particular action. The flag is not a symbol representing the government of the United States; burning it portrays displeasure, not with government policies, but with the country itself. This is why so many people, particularly those who have fought for this country, find burning a flag a deplorable act. It is a direct offense to everything that they put their lives at risk to protect. Burning a flag has been construed as "a direct attack on the sovereignty of the United States," (Burning the Flag 14). A hallowed symbol of our country deserves the same protection as anything else that directly represents the United States. Is a prohibition of burning the flag a serious threat to our freedom? Will it lead to the prohibiting of other modes of protest? The proponents of an amendment have not expressed a desire to squelch other forms of speech or protest, in fact we hear just the opposite - that citizens should be free to protest whatever government actions they feel are wrong. This is a single issue that is not tied to a larger agenda. What is being asked of our government and the people is one thing only; just the protection of a symbol of the United States that is recognized worldwide. Our freedom is not at risk, but confidence in the United States both at home and abroad could be. Opponents of a flag burning amendment say that respect for the flag cannot be taught by others, but must be learned from personal experience. People are taught to respect the law. Most of us do not need to experience jail to have respect for the law. Also, the way that the law is written will affect the w...