This may get a little bit wonky, since, as Jebediah stated last night, I don’t, at this time, support a Constitutional Amendment to ban the burning of the Flag. Go to my previous post to see why. But the ACLU is against the Amendment, as well. Go figure. The thing is, we are against this for different reasons.
Mine are already laid out, but the ACLU is against it simply because they, and the ultra liberal courts, say that this is Free Speech. I have already debunked that. Who am I to say that? I am an American Citizen. I’m not a judge, I’m not part of a Left Wing activist group like the ACLU, I am simply and American Citizen, whose opinion does matter in the greater scheme.
So, what I propose, is a law allowing me to poke someone in the snout if I catch them burning the Flag. If the courts support something which isn’t Speech by any definition of the word, then the ACLU should support me in my action of popping someone in the nose. I am just expressing my 1st Amendment Rights, aren’t I? Yes. I am protesting in a manner that is no worse. Or, perhaps they would support me in ripping the clothes off a protester and burning them. Maybe burning their pot smelling micro bus. Can watch the beads on their curtains pop off. But, they probably would not support me, since I would be standing up for something pro American.
ACLU supporters often deflect the reality of Free Speech to say "Free Expression." Well, my copy of the Bill of Rights does not state that (just like there is nothing about "separation of Church and State," but that is a different post). The historical documents show that the Framers wanted to make sure that the People were free to critisize the government without being subject to any type of repercusions. Nowhere do the historical papers regarding the writing of the Bill of Rights say anything about actions, other then peacable assembly.
Strange, taking the same position as the ACLU, eh? But, again, my reasons are different from the ACLU’s. They want to stop the Amendment simply because they have no clear understanding of the Bill of Rights, nor of the word "speech."
Please go here to Stop The ACLU!, and read what Gribbet has written. Then, go around and read what the other great folks on the Stop The ACLU! blogburst roll have written.
Heh heh…I wind up supporting the Amendment, (I guess), but basically for the same reason you oppose it…I don’t think its a speech issue either, but the left and their judges have now made the Constitution the playing field by taking that position, so for those who would have preferred to simply make it illegal via statute where that was the majority’s will, they’ve left no other option but the Amendment route.
Flag Burning Amendment
I must admit, as a partiot, I would welcome a flag burning amendment, although I don’t feel strongly about it. It seems that it has a chance to pass the Senate this year. A constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to ban flag burning passed …
That is one of the arguments that I have been wrestling with, myself.
Get the ACLU Off the Taxpayer’s Dole
I am for socialism, disarmament, and, ultimately, for abolishing the state itself… I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class, and the sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is the goal.
–Ro…
I wrestled with this one alot myself. I admire Gribbit for having the guts to finally put it out there. It is a devisives one. I side with the conservatives on this amendment because…
to me the flag symbolizes our entire history and the very foundation stones our country stands upon….and to burn that symbolism goes way beyond dissenting a current administration or even a current state our country is in. It goes to the point of burning the very thing our country stands for, and what the flag stands for.