Current Events > Should it be legal to set fire to the American Flag?

(+) Yeah! (+)

What does CE think?
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I remember when that shop first came out and 50 year old republicans everywhere were triggered lol. Conservatives are easily fooled.

On topic, even as someone with very indifferent amounts of allegiance to the country, I think burning the national flag is just rude. Why not ban it ya know, the flag does mean a lot to some people and for good reason.
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Drowning__Fish_ posted...

, I think burning the national flag is just rude. Why not ban it ya know

The argument is that it is a violation of freedom of expression
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Yes. The American is a truly beautiful symbol of rights, freedom and liberty. And that should include the right to set fire to the American flag.
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Anyone who votes no is as un-American as can be.
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Burning is the preferred method of disposal.

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

DifferentialEquation posted...

Yes. The American is a truly beautiful symbol of rights, freedom and liberty. And that should includesthe right to set fire to the American flag.

That's better than I was able to put it. The flag stands for many things, which ironically include your right to burn it if you choose to do so.
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Absolutely.
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I put No by accident. I meant yes
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absolutely yes
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Obligatory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fZZqDJXOVg
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Yes, because of the First Amendment.
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The only compelling reason to even consider a ban is because the cheap ones are made of various polymers that emit some rather nasty chemicals when caught on fire.

Imagine thinking people should face legal consequence for hurting literally no one.
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why is NOT capitalized?
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Of course
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Yes but youre a huge piece of shit if you do it
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Sure unless it's as some kind of threat.
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J E S U S posted...

Yes but youre a huge piece of shit if you do it

Why? It's just a piece of cloth
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It is legal. That is what you are supposed too do with ones that are very damaged and old.
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Yes, it's protected free speech. The only time I would be against setting it on fire is if it's somehow putting someone else in danger or you're burning a flag that isn't yours. I know there was an article about a guy who burned a flag in front of a yard, the problem was it was his neighbors flag in the neighbors yard but we had idiots cheering him on.
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I'm not even surprised by the people in that room who are burning it.

Just what i expected.
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J E S U S posted...

Yes but youre a huge piece of shit if you do it

waaaah
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Sure, as long it's done safely and in accordance with public fire saftey laws.

But then again, you should also be able to burn Confederate flags, Nazi flags, the Bible, the Quran, the rainbow pride flag, football jerseys, flags of other countries, Trump hats, BLM shirts, Klan robes, and those ridiculous Big Johnson t-shirts that I'm starting to see again... Hell, you should be able paint a portrait of Jesus, Muhammad, Budda, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton playing strip poker and then burn the fucker. As long as you own what your burning and are not violating any fire saftey laws, have at.

The thing about free speech is, you have to allow it, even if you despise what's being said.

Wtf are they doing in that first pic
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Yes, only a country that doesn't value freedom wouldn't allow it.
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Previous to Flag Day, June 14, 1923 there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the United States Flag. It was on this date that the National Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference which was attended by representatives of the Army and Navy which had evolved their own procedures, and some 66 other national groups. This purpose of providing guidance based on the Army and Navy procedures relating to display and associated questions about the U. S. Flag was adopted by all organizations in attendance.

A few minor changes were made a year later during the Flag Day 1924 Conference, It was not until June 22, 1942 that Congress passed a joint resolution which was amended on December 22, 1942 to become Public Law 829; Chapter 806, 77th Congress, 2nd session. Exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as associated sections (36 U.S.C. 171) Conduct during Playing of the National Anthem, (36 U.S.C. 172) the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Manner of Delivery were included.

This code is the guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the United States Flag. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag law.

Criminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in Title 18 of the United States Code prior to 1989. The Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson; June 21, 1989, held the statute unconstitutional. This statute was amended when the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (Oct. 28, 1989) imposed a fine and/or up to I year in prison for knowingly mutilating, defacing, physically defiling, maintaining on the floor or trampling upon any flag of the United States. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court decision, United States vs. Eichman, decided on June 11, 1990.

(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
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I will never understand Americans cult like behavior over the US flag.
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Yes.

Partly because I think it's a valid form a speech/protest.
Mostly because I know some people get supremely butthurt about it and they deserve to be miserable for their mindless devotion to a symbol.
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Here's my question.

How many people are voting no, but think it's alright to burn other countries' flags?
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spikethedevil posted...

I will never understand Americans cult like behavior over the US flag.

try burning a Russian or Brazilian Flag and see what happens
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babyeatermax posted...

J E S U S posted...

Yes but youre a huge piece of shit if you do it

Why? It's just a piece of cloth

It is cloth. But for a lot of people, the national flag is arguably not just a piece of cloth. Its been given value because of what it symbolizes. Consider all the similar things that people easily become defensive about. For example:

The dreaded N-word.
The Rebel Flag (AKA Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia)
Any image of the Muslim prophet Muhammad

Personally, I absolutely believe that the government must never interfere with a citizen doing what they want with their own flag. But there shouldnt be double standards about any of these things to begin with. Why is it easy to see that the flag is just a piece of cloth, but super hard for others to accept that the N-word is just a word that only has power if you give it power?
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Yes, it should remain legal to burn the flag. That being said, I think that any American that burns the flag is a douchebag.
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not indoors, like in that picture
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K181 posted...

Yes, it should remain legal to burn the flag. That being said, I think that any American that burns the flag is a douchebag.

same
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Lorenzo_2003 posted...

babyeatermax posted...

J E S U S posted...

Yes but youre a huge piece of shit if you do it

Why? It's just a piece of cloth

It is cloth. But for a lot of people, the national flag is arguably not just a piece of cloth. Its been given value because of what it symbolizes. Consider all the similar things that people easily become defensive about. For example:

The dreaded N-word.
The Rebel Flag (AKA Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia)
Any image of the Muslim prophet Muhammad

Personally, I absolutely believe that the government must never interfere with a citizen doing what they want with their own flag. But there shouldnt be double standards about any of these things to begin with. Why is it easy to see that the flag is just a piece of cloth, but super hard for others to accept that the N-word is just a word that only has power if you give it power?

Because people directly use the N world as an insult while burning the flag doesn't stop it being that symbol all they are doing is wasting money by burning the flag they bought while you can still have yours flying or hung up wherever you want.
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spikethedevil posted...

Because people directly use the N world as an insult while burning the flag doesn't stop it being that symbol all they are doing is wasting money by burning the flag they bought while you can still have yours flying or hung up wherever you want.

Maybe you can help me understand better. Yes, the N-word is used as an insult. Do you think burning the flag is not insulting other people? Also, burning your own flag wouldnt cost someone else, but saying the N-word doesnt cost your neighbor anything either, unless other people find out and then they risk losing their job, being protested against, etc. Some people are even trying to change laws, so they can expand hate crime to include speech. I hope this doesnt happen in the US, but I bet itll just be a matter of time.
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Questionmarktarius posted...

Burning is the preferred method of disposal.

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Flag burning ceremonies are VASTLY different than how the 'death to America' crowd does it.

It's still free speech.
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Part of it is also the history of the N word and the fact that the US still has a huge racism issue while the flag is a symbol someone else burning the flag doesn't stop it being a symbol in anyway.
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Its whatever, the flag would just be thrown away probably which is worse
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Yes. I have yet to burn one but I strongly desire to do so.
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Yes. Flag-burners clearly indicate to me not to take their protest seriously.
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I don't care what people do with a big dumb flag
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Yes, that's how freedom works

DK9292 posted...

Here's my question.

How many people are voting no, but think it's alright to burn other countries' flags?

Or support the free speech of white supremacists?
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It's freedom of speech
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The following countries punish flag burners with prison sentences. Notice how many developed European nations don't tolerate such behavior.

Algeria

According to the article 160 of the Algerian Penal Code. It is illegal to burn their flag. The punishments seems to be up to 6 years in prison and 10,000 dollars in fine.

Argentina

The 222nd article of the Penal Code of Argentina criminalizes the public desecration of the national flag, coat of arms, national anthem, or any provincial symbol. People can be jailed from 1 to 4 years for doing this.

Austria

It is illegal to burn the Austrian flag, people that do this can be fined and even imprisoned for up to 6 months.

China

According to the Chinese Penal Code, it is illegal to burn their flag, if you burn it you can be jailed for up to 3 years. This law also apply in Hong Kong and in Macau.

Croatia

In Croatia is illegal to burn any flag. Offenders are punished with up to one year of imprisonment.

Denmark

In Denmark is legal to burn their flag, but it is illegal to burn other countries flags, the parliament did this because it decided that burning other countries flags was a matter of foreign policy.

Finland

Its illegal to burn, treat it in disrespecting manner or remove it from a public place without permission.

France

Its illegal to burn the French flag during an event organized or regulated by public authorities. You can be fined in 7,500 and jailed for 6 months.

Germany

Its illegal to burn the German flag as well as its states. Offenders can be fined or sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, or fined/sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison if the act was intentionally used to support the eradication of the Federal Republic of Germany or to violate constitutional rights.

Israel

In 2007, 6 teenagers were arrested for burning the Israel flag, but, just now, in 2016, an amendment was passed, and now, burning the flag of Israel or any of its allies is a crime. People that do this can face up to 3 years in prison.

Italy

In Italy it is illegal to burn their flag according to the article 292 of the Italian Penal Code, the punishment is a fine that can be between 1,000 and 10,000 and up to two years of reclusion.

Japan

In Japan it is illegal to burn any flag of any recognized country, it is punishable by fine and penal labour.

New Zealand

It is illegal to destroy the flag of New Zealand with the intent of dishonoring it.

Pakistan

It is illegal to burn the flag of Pakistan, but it never really happened except in 1971 in the Liberation War between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Philippines

It is illegal to mutilate, deface, defile, trample on or cast contempt or commit any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface, the punishment is a fine that cant be less than 5,000 pesos and not more than 20,000 pesos or a imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both the fine and the imprisonment.

Saudi Arabia

Burning a Saudi flag is not just punishable because it is a flag of a country, but because it is blasphemy.

Serbia

It is illegal to burn the Serbian flag, on May 2009, a American flag was burnt during Joe Bidens visit to the country, the man that burned the flag was arrested and jailed for 10 days, but due to popular pressure he was freed two days later.

Switzerland

The destruction of the Swiss flag is punishable by monetary penalty and imprisonment of up to three years.

Turkey

Burning the Turkish flag is strictly forbidden, punishable by a prison sentence of three years.

Questionmarktarius posted...

Burning is the preferred method of disposal.

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

The burning is a bit more than just light it up and be done with it, used to take them to old ww2 vets that had nothing better to do and they'd fold and burn it while reciting the pledge of allegiance.
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