Quote:
Originally posted by Tobiasly
Because if I saw someone burning the flag, my goal would not be to show them that I disagree. My goal would be to prevent them from doing so and think twice about it in the future. Like I said, I think a flag-burning amendment is a bad idea, but that doesn't mean I'd sit idly by while someone pissed on everything I hold dear.
I agree it might not be the most intelligent or enlightened response, but I don't really care. If you think that qualifies me as an unpatriotic bastard, fine by me. I'm not interested in winning any popularity contests. I can be a very civil and diplomatic person on most issues, but there are just certain areas where I draw the line. I am against just about any legislation whose primary intent is to take away freedoms or rights, but that doesn't mean I won't do anything about it myself.
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Hey, if you and Sarge want to risk your own freedom by trying to take away another's, that's on you. The only way I see you stopping someone from burning a flag is through physical force (be it manhandling them, dousing them with water, etc.), which can put you at risk for assault against one of these folks. And if you do happen to assault a flag-burner, as I see it, it puts you on the same level as music and speech censors.
The KKK has adopted a stretch of Interstate 55 in south St. Louis County for litter clean-up. As part of that, they get a neat sign saying that they have adopted said section of highway. The MO Dept. of Transportation originally denied them, but the KKK won in court. Since then, the sign has been torn down several times, with someone finally getting caught doing so last year. I admire the action, yet do not condone it. Protesting an action is one thing...destroying state property is another.