Wedding Etiquette Forum

Flag Burning

How do you feel about it?

There's this whole big thing going on at LSU right now over a flag burner who was arrested (not for burning the flag, but stealing the flag he burned.) Another person burned a flag in protest yesterday and was chased off campus by an angry mob.

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/flag-burning-lsu-campus-20110511-ncx

Thoughts?
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Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince
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Re: Flag Burning

  • Wrong board hun, this is for talk about Etiquette.
  • Awwwwwww, that's cute you asshole.
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    Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince
  • I have no problem with flag burning.  I know that's totally un-American of me, but people should be able to express themselves in whatever way they see fit.  It's a sign of protest, and I think it should be covered by freedom of speech.

    **But, stealing is not ok.
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  • Why the heck would the school give him permission to burn it?
    That is absolutly ridiculous. If they want to let someone burn a flag, let it be thier University Flag.
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  • I don't like it.  It makes me really upset that people, especially US citizens, feel that little respect for our flag and our country.

    But I am very proud to live in a country where such expression is legally protected, and I would definitely defend anyone's right to express themselves in that way.  To not defend that right creates a slippery slope with other rights and methds of expression.
  • edited May 2011
    I have to agree with Robot.  The stealing is where I have the issue.  I am wondering if patrotism is excessively heightened with the bin Laden death and could have contributed to the reaction?


    Edited:  for bad grammar....it's still early on the West Coast!
  • I think that it is some ones right as an America but I find it distasteful. I am from a family with a lot of family members that are soliders. They dont make political desicions all they do is put their life on the line to protect their family and friends so that we all have the rights. Its hard to burn something is an over all symbol for our country without taking that for granted.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:c9a96a60-e1c7-48bc-835f-6bc19bf705a1">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]Why the heck would the school give him permission to burn it? That is absolutly ridiculous. If they want to let someone burn a flag, let it be thier University Flag.
    Posted by crash2729[/QUOTE]
    Because it would be a violation of his First Amendment rights to tell him he couldn't burn it. The second guy that is. The second guy got permission from the school to stage a protest, and bought his own flag to burn. The first guy stole the University's flag, which is what he was arrested for.
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    Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince
  • It kind of makes me cringe, but I'm totally for anyone's right to burn the flag. Protecting a piece of cloth to the degree that it couldn't be burned seems unncessary and scarily authoritarian to me. In some cases, I think it's a valid form of expressing protest.

    Honestly, I was much more disturbed by the excessive patriotism of the angry mob that yelled obscenities at him and seemed to pose a potential threat to his safety than him burning a flag.
  • This is slightly OT, but it actually reminds me of when the Dalai Lama came here to speak a few years ago.  Literally thousands of Chinese (citizens, not just ethnicity) students came to protest with signs and flags and pamphlets and chants.  And it struck me as both sad and ironic that they were peacefully protesting (a peaceful and revered man, no less), but would not be afforded the same right at home.
  • Honestly, I do not really care about flag burning. I feel that people can do a lot worse in protest than burning a flag, so I say if that makes them gets their kicks then that is fine. I understand it is un- American- but I would rather see a burnt up flag than a burnt up body.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:3b16003f-3603-4c85-96c1-a650aca7fcf9">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]I don't like it.  It makes me really upset that people, especially US citizens, feel that little respect for our flag and our country. But I am very proud to live in a country where such expression is legally protected, and I would definitely defend anyone's right to express themselves in that way.  To not defend that right creates a slippery slope with other rights and methds of expression.
    Posted by Meg1036[/QUOTE]

    <div>Ditto this.  It's like the whackjobs from WBC.  You don't have to like what they say, but defend their right to say it.</div>
  • It makes me uncomfortable on some level, but if it's your flag, you have every right to burn it. That freedom is part of what makes America great.

    I actually have a bigger problem with people who don't properly care for the flags they fly proudly. When I see a flag flying in the rain, or unlit at night, or all tattered at the edges, it pisses me off. That carelessness is more disrespectful to me than intentionally damaging it. 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:23a65278-492c-4c70-945e-c779f6808d56">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think that it is some ones right as an America but I find it distasteful. I am from a family with a lot of family members that are soliders. They dont make political desicions all they do is put their life on the line to protect their family and friends so that we all have the rights. Its hard to burn something is an over all symbol for our country without taking that for granted.
    Posted by dragossoul84[/QUOTE]
    Why is the flag seemingly more symbolic to members of the military? When people have military members in their family, they get doubly offended over flag burning and I don't really get how being in the military makes the flag more symbolic to a military person as opposed to a civilian?
    image
    Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince
  • Oy. Well.

    As protest activities go, it's kind of a childish one, but I don't really have a problem with it, and I definitely don't think it should be against the law. I also think that in the case in the article you posted, the people who were trying to hurt the kid who was trying to burn the flag are worse, because they were trying to harm a person, and he was just trying to harm a piece of cloth.

    I think we'd generally be better off as a nation if we backed off the flag-reverence stuff. It's not worth getting worked up about.
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  • OH MY GOD LC YOU JUST TURNED INTO AEGRISH. Theknot is so fuucked up sometimes.
  • annakb8annakb8 member
    2500 Comments
    edited May 2011
    The Supreme Court says it's fine, so that's good enough for me. He should have bought his own flag though.

    And as for the one who got run off campus, the Constitution gives you a right to free speech, but it doesn't say anything to guarantee you won't be bothered while you're speaking your mind. As long as no one physically attacked the guy I think it's fine to run him off campus. I would think a college campus might be one of those places where peoples rights can be trampled on a bit for public safety reasons. I'm not saying that's right, just what I suspect might happen if this went to court or something.

    ETA: I just saw he had permission for a protest, but I still think public safety would come before his flag burning rights if things got out of control.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:d4f81f5a-0457-48ea-9ab6-ea715501e45b">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have no problem with flag burning.  I know that's totally un-American of me, but people should be able to express themselves in whatever way they see fit.  It's a sign of protest, and I think it should be covered by freedom of speech. **But, stealing is not ok.
    Posted by RobotLegs[/QUOTE]

    This is precisely my opinion on the subject.  I feel very strongly about this.

    But I'm also a free speech absolutist (yay con law classes).  There's virtually no form of speech I don't think is protected.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:f31482e3-2cc3-4389-841a-771661b673b2">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]OH MY GOD LC YOU JUST TURNED INTO AEGRISH. Theknot is so fuucked up sometimes.
    Posted by ahhhitsshannyn[/QUOTE]


    That's a really scary thought!
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:9b2829c2-0373-4a26-b430-c3cf8b131da4">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flag Burning : This is precisely my opinion on the subject.  I feel very strongly about this. But I'm also a free speech absolutist (yay con law classes).  <strong>There's virtually no form of speech I don't think is protected.</strong>
    Posted by hlq2011[/QUOTE]
    I'm with you there.

    And Sarah, I also agree that revering a piece of cloth to the extent that you're willing to hurt someone over it isn't good for any of us.
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    Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince
  • It's a commonly accepted practice that US flags are burned when they are no longer fit to be displayed (torn, damaged, partially burned, etc). Best case scenario, they are taken to a group like the VFW, American Legion, or BSA, all of which have permission to properly dispose of the flags. There is a certain procedure to do it properly, including a ceremonial piece.

    I'm not a big fan of burning the flag - and I'm not really sure I'm a fan of burning any other country's flag here, either. I think there are other ways to protest.

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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:2e1b2598-960c-43ce-a431-44ac9001f152">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]The Supreme Court says it's fine, so that's good enough for me. He should have bought his own flag though. And as for the one who got run off campus, the Constitution gives you a right to free speech, but it doesn't say anything to guarantee you won't be bothered while you're speaking your mind. As long as no one physically attacked the guy I think it's fine to run him off campus. I would think a college campus might be one of those places where peoples rights can be trampled on a bit for public safety reasons. I'm not saying that's right, just what I suspect might happen if this went to court or something.
    Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

    I agree with this - part of living in a country with free speech is that other people are also free to say whatever they think about what you are saying. This is what the Sarah Palins/Dr. Lauras of the world don't seem to get.

    We certainly disrupted plenty of speeches and rallies and such with counter-protesting when I was in college.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:e67d17d6-c17e-48c1-97e4-12ab4cb6afbe">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flag Burning : Why is the flag seemingly more symbolic to members of the military? When people have military members in their family, they get doubly offended over flag burning and I don't really get how being in the military makes the flag more symbolic to a military person as opposed to a civilian?
    Posted by laurenclaire1386[/QUOTE]

    Perhaps they're offended because their family members are putting their lives at risk to defend the freedom that the flag represents? They could possibly see it as being spit in the face for their sacrifices.

    I don't know, just a theory. :)

    I'm like others. I personally wouldn't burn a flag, but I think people should have the right to do so if they wish.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:e67d17d6-c17e-48c1-97e4-12ab4cb6afbe">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flag Burning : Why is the flag seemingly more symbolic to members of the military? When people have military members in their family, they get doubly offended over flag burning and I don't really get how being in the military makes the flag more symbolic to a military person as opposed to a civilian?
    Posted by laurenclaire1386[/QUOTE]

    <div>To me it's symbolic of the fact that my H risks his life to protect everything that the flag represents, including his right to burn it, and the asshole took it from a war memorial.  Great, you don't agree with Obama or the Osama ordeal, but that flag he stole doesn't represent the death of OBL, it represents the thousands of soldies who died trying to fight against OBL and the likes of him.  </div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:e67d17d6-c17e-48c1-97e4-12ab4cb6afbe">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flag Burning : Why is the flag seemingly more symbolic to members of the military? When people have military members in their family, they get doubly offended over flag burning and I don't really get how being in the military makes the flag more symbolic to a military person as opposed to a civilian?
    Posted by laurenclaire1386[/QUOTE]

    Probably because that's the flag they fight under and fight for.

    But I guess I had thought the flag desecration act had passed, because we were always taught in school when we learned about the flag and how to care for it that you weren't supposed to burn the flag unless it was tattered...then you could burn it (I think...)
    I still don't agree though. I don't think its okay to burn the flag. Even if you bring your own.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:e67d17d6-c17e-48c1-97e4-12ab4cb6afbe">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flag Burning : Why is the flag seemingly more symbolic to members of the military? When people have military members in their family, they get doubly offended over flag burning and I don't really get how being in the military makes the flag more symbolic to a military person as opposed to a civilian?
    Posted by laurenclaire1386[/QUOTE]
    I think it offends me more because that is an over all symbol of our country it is the essance of what my family and friends put their lives on the line for on a regular basis if your unhappy with something in particular with the country then protest thing itself.
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  • And LL, STFU.
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    Do not mess in the affairs of dinosaurs because you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
    I love you Missy. Even though you are not smart enough to take online quizzes to find out really important information. ~cew
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_flag-burning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe300d5e-108e-4e42-aa6b-265e6ab589f4Post:d4f81f5a-0457-48ea-9ab6-ea715501e45b">Re: Flag Burning</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have no problem with flag burning.  I know that's totally un-American of me, but people should be able to express themselves in whatever way they see fit.  It's a sign of protest, and I think it should be covered by freedom of speech. **But, stealing is not ok.
    Posted by RobotLegs[/QUOTE]

    I agree. I mean, I can see being in such a state of mind that protesting the federal government in that manner seems reasonable, actually. It's not hurting anyone physically. It's offensive to many, but that's sort of the point, right?

    Anyway, I doubt I'd ever do it, but I do think it should be allowed under the first amendment. I believe the SCOTUS case that upheld the right to burn the flag was Johnson vs. Texas (1989).
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  • You're right, Mery, on Texas v. Johnson.  I think I read that case in college.

    I think people need to have the right to burn the flag for exactly the reason that it's held in such high regard in this country - and why so many people get up in arms about it.

    It's a symbol, and I completely understand the way military families react even more strongly to this sort of thing.  Think of the reverence with which the flag is treated at, say, a military funeral.

    It's a piece of cloth, but it's symbolic of SO much more than that - our government, the Constitution, the soldiers fighting and dying for it, etc.  And for that reason, it's one of the ultimate forms of protest.  And that's why I think people need the right to exercise that form of protest.
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  • I haven't read the other responses yet but this is topic my ExH and I would debate often.  To me flag burning is the most perfect example of protected free speech and what makes this country great IMO.
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