Iowa Flag-Desecration Laws Tossed (ACLU Defended Upside-down Flag Displays)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Mar 28, 10:48 PM EDT

Iowa Flag-Desecration Laws Tossed

By DAVID PITT
Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Two state laws that prohibit misuse and desecration of an American flag are unenforceable and unconstitutional, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Robert W. Pratt said Tuesday that the Iowa laws violate a due process clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa brought a lawsuit on behalf of a man charged with a misdemeanor for flying a flag upside down and writing on it and another man also charged with flying a flag upside down. It declared the ruling a victory.

- snip -

Scott Wayne Roe of Ottumwa displayed a U.S. flag upside down on June 4, 2006, and wrote "Corruption of Blood" across it, saying he was protesting city ordinances and how they were enforced. He was charged with a misdemeanor, but the charge was dismissed.

Dale Klyn of Corydon displayed his flag upside down to protest what he called an unfair loss in a bankruptcy case and to support a campaign for mental health care services for veterans. His case was also dismissed.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FLAG_DESECRATION_RULING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Alright, I can post to the Iowa state forum and use my avitar!

[me b zola]

2. Geez, someone please send those losers(R) in Iowa pics of...

...* desecrating the flag by signing it, G Gordon Liddy wearing a flag speedo :puke:, and every gathering that ever was of republicans that wear flag shirts/hats/pants.

I am really quite tired of republicans who are so busy dictating to others what the laws or social morays are while they do not observe them themselves.

[truthisfreedom]

3. This is flag desecration.

[tanyev]

4. There it is. High crimes and misdemeanors.

[baldguy]

5. This is flag desecration.

[alphafemale]

6. I once posted that pic on a local board, saying it was Clinton, repugs went nuts

from "How DARE he?" the comments got more and more livid.

After a couple of hours, I let them know it was their dear leader, *.

Suddenly "tagging" a flag was no longer a bad thing at all, but something noble and good.

It was amusing to see people totally aware of their own hypocrisy.

That was a couple years ago, and I'm pleased to say many of the * defenders on that board have had their veils lifted. One of the biggest defenders * had took to dubbing him the "putz" quite a while back.