Flag Burning Amendment

On this date in 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Texas vs. Johnson that flag burning laws violated citizens’ constitutionally protected right to free speech. So what do the fringe groups (a.k.a. current GOP) do when a decision comes down from the Supreme Court that they don’t like? They rephrase the unpopular initiative so it polls well and try to get it slapped onto the end of the constitution! That way, the courts can't interfere!!!

What a stupid idea to amend the Constitution like this. First of all, what does “burning” mean? Is just burning illegal? So that means I can pour acid on it? Throw paint all over it? Fart on it? Scowl at it? Second, what does “flag” mean? Just flags on flagpoles? How about mini flags that they hand out by the hundreds on July 4th and then throw away? How about flag bikinis? Or flag robes for patriotic boxers? Or flag decals? Or paper flags? The only day I will ever burn the American flag, and it will probably bring tears to my eyes even then, is the day that flag burning is banned.

No, you right-wing lunatics, I am not for or pro or amateur flag burning. I just think that free speech is a wonderful, painful thing that is way more important than any sanctimonious sniveling over a flaming piece of cloth, even if that piece of cloth happens to have particular symbolic value.