Soliciting input from Veterans

[BOSSHOG]

I sincerely believe that my time in uniform was to (amongst many other things) give the American Citizen the right to burn the American Flag if he or she chooses to do so. I strongly believe it is an act of free speech, a form of dissent against government action. And any amendment to prevent that action is a chink in the constitution just like a gay marriage amendment. The constitution should not be used to take freedoms away from Americans, but that apparently is the conservative way of doing things.

I welcome any and all input from everyone.

Since I asked for veterans we won't be hearing from anyone in the hierarchy of the gop (save for McCain and Hagel whom I strongly believe are closet dems.)

[Wickerman]

1. I concur

though my uniform wearing was limited to protecting the offfices of a hospital in South Carolina and then Texas from over-shuffled paper, I wore it to serve. That service was in support of a constitution that allowed freedom of expression. It wasn't my role to agree with all such expression; it was to allow that expression to occur.

[Redleg]

2. I agree with you. My commission was to defend the Constitution.

And you are right, the Constitution should generally not be used to deprive a group of people equal rights under the law.

Having said that, although I wouldn't ban flag-burning, I do think flag-burning is a pretty lame way to use our free speech.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Roger that Teammate

I'd never burn the flag (although I was on flag burning detail a hundred years ago at Naval Station Philadelphia, to wit, dispose of worn out flags in a respectful manner.) I think the conservatives are burning the constitution one paragraph at a time and that's why I stay riled up. Thank you for your service.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Roger that Teammate

I'd never burn the flag (although I was on flag burning detail a hundred years ago at Naval Station Philadelphia, to wit, dispose of worn out flags in a respectful manner.) I think the conservatives are burning the constitution one paragraph at a time and that's why I stay riled up. Thank you for your service.

[driver8]

8. Bosshog -- a question regarding flag burning...

What is the proper way to dispose of an American flag. We bought a house and the previous owner left behind an old and tattered flag. My wife and I do not know how to properly dispose of it.

[Cornus]

9. The proper way...

...is to burn it. Go figure...

[rwork]

10. TDS last night

Said Democrats came up with a plan to just slowly "microwave" it. Very funny.

[Cornus]

3. I agree

USAR here...similar to *'s service only I was never AWOL.

It's all symbolic and no one is harmed by showing this type of dissent...unlike burning an entire nation!

[oneighty]

6. Flag burning

has been a hot topic every so often at the local VFW club. It is not clear why. Alcohol slurs the words and the emotions.

180

[driver8]

7. BOSSHOG -- I agree with you 100%.

As much as I love our flag, one of the most important things that our flag represents to me is freedom. Freedom to speak out against the government is something that our founding fathers felt very strongly about. To take away this freedom means that there is one less way that the people of this country can voice an opinion. To me, that is a very sad thing.

I may not like the fact that someone has decided to burn a flag, but their right to do so is something I strongly believe in. I know a lot of veterans that feel the same way.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. Absolutely agree.

Though I never sing the national anthem, I still stand with my hand on my heart as it is played.

If I'm outside when they are taking the flag down from the legislature building across the street from where I work, I stop until it is lowered.

I get thoroughly pissed when I see a tattered, ragged, sun-bleached flag hanging in front of local businesses, because the owner doesn't care enough to replace it.

And I will always support the right of a protester to burn his own flag in protest of his government.

[bunk]

12. flag

Burn it if you want but remembering that others are free to call you anything they want to for doing it. free speech can cut both ways.

[Wickerman]

13. Don't actually believe anyone here WANTS to burn a flag

They are simply saying that the Constitution gives them the right to do so if they so wish. And yep, you are then in the right by calling them whatever you choose to call them. Which is why, I guess, we call so many on the Right Chickenhawks. No service for self, but much war lust.

[meganmonkey]

15. As long as they don't call me 'arrested' that's just fine with me

They already call me all sorts of names due to my bumper stickers and they have every right to do so. The right to my "Bush is a Punk-Ass Chump" sticker is also the right of some dude to yell at me in a parking lot (funny, they only ever do it when I am alone...)

As many have said, I don't ever plan on burning the flag. I love my country and I love what the flag represents. And one of the things the flag represents is the right to fly it, put a sticker of it on my car, or burn it.

Welcome to DU.

[BOSSHOG]

16. Welcome bunk

How many years did you serve defending my right to burn or not to burn. I did 24, one tour in a combat zone. I would never burn the American Flag but I would never stop anyone from burning one. And please, if you don't mind could you refer me to the section in the U. S. Constitution which bans gay marriage.

The Constitution is a shield, not a weapon. A cosmic little liberal idea. I hope you go through life enjoying your constitutional liberties and I hope you never support an effort to take any such liberties away from any American Citizen.

Although retired, I remain vigilant against all enemies foreign and domestic.

[silver10]

14. I agree ...

Forbidding someone to burn the flag reminds me of communist governments and dictatorships - which is almost what we seem to have now. And I really resent anyone telling me that if I question our government, and don't support King Chimpy, that I should go to another country (after spending 7 years in the Army serving my country to defend freedom).

With that being said, I would feel sad if I saw anyone burning it in protest, but again, a law should not be created so that they can't.

Of course, all this flag-burning stuff is more distraction from important issues, like lack of funding for war Veterans, people dying in Iraq and the incompetent administration running the effort there, children going hungry in our own country, people losing jobs, millions of Americans going without health care, etc.

[two gun sid]

17. Burn it....

preferably, burn one some punk-assed chickenhawk has wrapped him/herself in.

[Stinky The Clown]

18. Flag burning is not in my repertoire, and likely never will be, but

as you say, Boss, it is a right we served to protect.

That said, as evidenced by this post I made yesterday, the current dust up over it is pure political gamesmanship. I do NOT favor a flag protection amendment. Period. But neither do I want to see our asses kicked again. I see this whole thing as the crafting of a "one size fits all Dems" Swiftshitsmear II.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1889605 (please don't post to that thread ... it has served its purpose.)

These motherfuckers have no shame and no morals.

As oneighty said above ..... "Flag burning has been a hot topic every so often at the local VFW club. It is not clear why. Alcohol slurs the words and the emotions." And those guys oneighty refers to are the very ones this new 'Dems as Flag Burners' campaign will be squarely aimed.

[Vickers]

19. I was in 8 years, I think burning the flag is dumb...but so what?

I think a whole BUNCH of shit is dumb...this is like number 4,934,534 on the list of things that need immediate action.

I've been to 48 states and 34 countries and have never seen anyone burn a flag, and a couple of places I saw some pretty bad shit.

EDIT: Actually, I have burned flags (or rather, flag remnants) as part of flag retirement ceremonies with the military, the American Legion, and the Boy Scouts.