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Should Flag Desecration be Illegal?

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by FR7 Baptist, Aug 5, 2012.

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Should flag desecration be illegal?

Poll closed Aug 10, 2012.
  1. Yes

    30.8%
  2. No

    69.2%
  1. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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    This is a topic I've thought about recently and I wanted to see what you all thought.

    In Florida, it is unlawful to burn with intent to insult, mutilate, deface, defy, trample upon, contemptuously abuse, or, by word or act, cast contempt on the flags of the United States, the State of Florida, and the Confederate States. It is also unlawful to use such flags for advertising or commercial purposes.
     
  2. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Freedom of speech includes expression. That includes flags. Honestly a flag is just a piece of cloth (yes I know...just wait) symbolizing the citizenry of a randomly defined area of land often seized by illicit or violent means. It is a kingdom of this world system.

    If someone wishes to bother that piece of fabric I don't much have a gripe about it. Frankly I don't see what's worth getting bothered about it. I've lived under many flags in my life and none of them have much power other than the people they reflect. If that people is truly free than we have the freedom to express ourselves.

    That said...I have no idea why the Confederate flag is lumped in there. Listen, you guys in the Florida (and the South) lost. It was in a few papers. If it were up to me I'd take down every last one of them and declare it illegal to own one and display one...

    ...oh wait, I guess that freedom of expression thing is pretty significant then isn't it. ;)
     
  3. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    I was going to vote yes. And part of me still wishes that it were completely illegal. As the symbol for the country I fight for, I get offended when I see the flag mistreated. To me, it's not just a piece of cloth. It stands for so much more. It stand for liberty, justice, and the blood that was shed that allowed us to wave that flag. And when you mistreat the flag, it shows contempt for the very people that died to give you the right to mistreat it.

    However, I voted "no". Even though part of me wants it to be illegal, I understand that the flag itself really is just a piece of cloth. Arresting people for burning the flag is a type of tyranical forced patriotism. When we begin to force people to respect us, then the respect is lost for good. And when we start arresting people for flag burning, it is saying that we care more about the flag and what it is supposed to stand for than for what it actually stands for: freedom.
     
  4. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    If it was illegal, Michelle and Barak Obama would have been arrested many times over.
     
  5. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    Not to the Obamas.

    It's the symbol of imperialistic oppression and racial biggotry.
     
  6. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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    The Confederate flag is an important symbol of the State and is proudly featured on the seal of the Florida Senate. Florida was a founding member of the Confederacy and was the third State to secede from the Union. Desecrating the Confederate flag could be interpreted as rebellion against the lawful authority of the State. Florida is also home to the world's largest Confederate flag.

    I love the Confederate flag. To me, it symbolizes the unparalleled valor, courage, and heroism of the Southern soldier fighting against the **** Yankees. Of course, I'm glad we became one country again.

    As an American, I have the utmost respect for the American flag. As a seventh generation Floridian whose ancestors have been here since before the Civil War, I extend the same respect to the Florida and Confederate flags.

    I proudly fly the State flag outside my house every day except Federal holidays, when I fly the United States flag. I don't ever fly a Confederate flag.
     
  7. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    The problem I have with the Confederate flag is that it (to me) symbolizes a people holding to a divided nation. IMO, it is no different that a black person thinking that someone owes them something because of slavery. A person that is proud of the confederate flag is holding on to history, keeping America divided into "North" and "South", instead of "One Nation, under God, Indivisible". I know others don't see it my way, but that's just my two cents.
     
  8. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Personally, it infuriates me to see the flag abused. The flag stands for hope, freedom, liberty and a better life. However, one of our rights is freedom of speech, and will defend that right despite what I think of the individual.

    I have no use for the Confederate flag. Having grown in in Mississippi in the 50s and 60s, and having lived through the whole shameful episode, the mentality of flying it turns my stomach.
     
  9. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    You know, I never see any African-Americans waving the Confederate flag.
     
  10. mandym

    mandym New Member

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    Of course not. It has been demonized by the left in the exact same way that Republicans are called racists.
     
  11. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Agreed. I voted yes in the poll.

    Is it okay to burn the Christian flag?

    Our enemies burn the American flag. We see it in news footage all the time. Our flag is burned. I would like to know if it is okay to burn the flag of Afghanstan or Iraq or Pakistan or Iran or the other flags of countries who burn ours? How come it is always the American flag that is burned and we never see the flags of other countries burned here, just our own.

    We own a Confederate flag but do not fly it, (else we would probably be fire bombed or shot or sued, so we really don't have freedom of speech, now do we?) and also a print that contains the Confederate flag. I love the Confederate flag. To me, it symbolizes the greatness of a people who were willing to die for what they believed and is part of my personal heritage. But so does the American flag and the Christian flag. But I also feel a sense of patriotic pride (red, white, and blue) when I see the British flag and the Australian flag. I love to see the flag of Ireland and Canada and Israel flying, as well.

    Ever wonder why some flags are red, white, and blue, or white and blue, or red and white and islamic nations choose black, yellow, green, red for their colors? I have wondered that. Does the color choice mean something more than what it appears on the surface?

    As an aside, did you know that flags were flown by ancient Israel? The flag was a "standard" or "banner."

    Anyway, back on topic - We were a divided nation during the War between the States then and we are still a divided nation today (although not solely on race, but other reasons as well, straight vs homosexual, pro-life vs pro-death, black vs white, black vs Hispanic, secular/atheist vs Christian, socialism vs democracy, and more).

    Just some random thoughts.....
     
  12. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    No there should be no laws of this nature in regards to the flag. The flag takes second place to the freedoms and rights we all have and which men and women have fought and died for. The flag is only as honorable as the freedoms it represents and those freedoms unfortunately are quickly disappearing. People who burn the flag are making a statement and those statements are protected by free speech. Those who would make laws against burning the flag are the very ones who would rob us of our freedom of speech and are the very ones who desecrate the lost lives of those who have died to protect free speech..
     
    #12 freeatlast, Aug 6, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 6, 2012
  13. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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  14. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    I wonder how many "African-Americans" [I guess that, by using that expression, I'm considered as a "Scots-Irish-American!"] know that at one time some of the dis-placed "Native-Americans" in what eventually became the State of Oklahoma once held some "African-Americans" as slaves? (Wouldn't that, by itself, be grounds for any/all "African-Americans" to boycott any/all casinos owned and/or operated by any/all "Native-Americans"?)......Oops! Didn't mean to say that! Forgive me, but every once in a while my political incorrectness tends to slip out!! :smilewinkgrin:
     
  15. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    There was a recent incident of an African American college student being chastised for displaying the Stars And Bars in his dorm room.

    It is common for patriotic Republicans to desecrate the flag by keeping ratty flags displayed on their cars and whatever. It is desecration to fly an unlit flag at night.
     
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