What is Digg?82 Comments
- briankoenig03, on 10/12/2007, -2/+48Funniest, best commentary I've read on this issue. I love when people use humor to get across serious points.
- ArthurSucks, on 10/12/2007, -1/+37Scott Adams is one smart bloke.
- i440, on 10/12/2007, -7/+34I agree. But why stop there? Why not make illegal to say bad things about America. One criticism of America should get you...oh I don't know...10 years in jail. Yes. Sounds like an ideal nation to me!
- Sidedish, on 10/12/2007, -1/+21I want a near-flag.
- karmakanic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18Do they really think that a Constitutional Amendment will DECREASE the number of flags burned? It's like putting a stickie on every flag saying "Burn Me".
I'm also intrigued by the definition of "desecrate". If I remember correctly from my Cub Sprout days, desecration includes flying the flag at night without a spotlight, letting it get wet (rain/snow), or letting it touch the ground. All of these were cause for disposal (burn in a private ceremony and bury the ashes). If those rules were strictly applied, then nearly every flag flown on Memorial Day or Independence Day would have to be disposed of almost immediately. I'm pretty sure the ones on the car antennas were out of line, too.
Gonna be a lotta flag-burnin' goin' on... - theone3, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17Scott Adams has a BLOG?
Holy *****. Sign me up! - PeakAction, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14@lagartoflojo
No, the point is that this never should have been portrayed as a serious problem to begin with. Why not? Because *it isn't a serious problem*. In fact, it isn't even a problem at all. The very ideals that the flag itself represents dictate that one *is* allowed to burn it as part of their right to free speech.
Serious problem?! Come on! Are there a lot of flag burners on the street, slowing your Hummer down during your daily commute through the city? - KevinJ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13"For me, a flag that I’m NOT allowed to burn is a symbol that the government is too intrusive in my life."
That pretty much sums up my view....and the Libertarian Parties(w00t)
But seriously, is that not the most logical argument? - dr234, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12very funny intelligent commentary -- iff any type of amendment passes, i'd be down for investing in a near flag company
- DesireCampbell, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Well, prostitution isn't illegal everywhere. It's not even illegal in all US sates. And in those states where it IS legal, the women are disease and abuse free, pay taxes that help fund schools and roads and all that. Prostition's only problem is that most people don't like it. Most people think that having sex for money is disrespectful and disgusting. Which is fine. That's my belief too. But I also believe that just because we think it's gross, doesn't mean it should be illegal.
I mean, just because we find something revolting, like burning a flag, doesn't mean we should make it illegal. - Murdats, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13and its seen as patriotic to bad mouth your country,
just because its unpatriotic, why should it be illegal - answer42, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11This whole issue is so ridiculous. A flag is a symbol of our country. That is all it is. It is not our actual country. The type of person who would get worked up about burning a flag must think that by burning the flag you are actually burning the country. They are confusing the symbol for the actual object it represents.
This is the same kind of superstitious caveman worldview that would believe that sticking a pin in a voodoo doll of a person would actually hurt the person. - doublej, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10To outlaw burning the flag would just give the people burning them that much more attention.
- Niffer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10Burning a flag does not cause anyone harm. NONE. Not in any way. Unless they are over-emotional, semi-psychotic, or possibly senile (like the House and Senate). The only reason one could ever want to burn a flag is because of the HYPOCRITES who stand by it claiming how great the country is and how we shouldn't even try to better ourselves. When the flag is used in a way to say "we don't want to see the social status of this country change because fags scare us. This is how the country is and this is how it's gonna stay," that's when it needs to be burned, as if to say "This is not permanent, this is subjects to change by the will of the people."
It's late, that probably didn't make any sense. - Niffer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I found that concept very interesting. If they do ban burning flags, you can be damn sure a bunch of people are going to make "almost American" flags and burn them in protest. Hell, I'll be one of them.
- tyemta, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Pretty funny that the dumbass Pres was actually signing flags during his recent visit to Austria.That would fit the definition of desecration, would it not? I didn't see that get a whole lot of press. Wonder why that is?
- raid517, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8"Usually it is seen as unpatriotic to burn one's flag."
If it's about protecting our right to freedom of speech, then sometimes burning the flag might be the most patriotic thing you can do. - mattb5, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Have you read God's Debris and The Religions War?
- Durinthal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Oh, I think you should be allowed to burn it.
As long as you don't harm anyone else with it. What's "second-hand smoke" again? - Phoenyx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7With the off-term elections coming up, the flag-burning issue is just misdirection. It takes the focus away from controversial issues like the war in Iraq and immigration.
- broly1718, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Christ, the closer it gets to november, the worse this ***** is going to get. How about term limits for senators and representatives?
- karmakanic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Well, I'm from California, so we'd get a really, really big star. Smaller than those for Alaska and Texas, of course, but bigger than the ones for Montana and Nevada. Rho Dye Land? It'd be a little itty-bitty teeny weeny little spot in the corner. And the one for Mass.....just slightly more massive.
Yep. My star would be bigger than yours. Kneel before me, oh puny-starred one. - Niffer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6The marking of flags, ala the president signing them, IS labeled as desecration by the official flag manual. (I don't know what it's called). That in itself is the purest example of hypocrisy/idiocy.
- KiSA, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Hooray politics.
Remember, until after the November elections, everything is about 'Family Values'. The rupublicans care about us, they aren't manipulating the voters in any way to take attention off of the fact that the last 6 years have been a major disaster for the entire country... they'd never do that! - WaterDragon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7...and when a cop tries to bust you for burning a near-flag, you can always explain that you drank too much near-beer
- Cerberus047, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5The whole controversy reminds me of the futurama episode where zoidberg eats the american flag
- mt066, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Great article. Very well put. Personally, I think the whole flag burning thing is a vote-whoring stunt to make up for the last few years of f'ing up.
- obezyana, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Yep, and don't forget the "field of honour" - I don't think this happened in many places but in my area a few years ago, there was a field full of American flags which had an extra white band across the bottom with the name of a fallen soldier on it. I believe the flags were eventually given to the families of the dead soldiers; I've seen them flying in front of houses.
Now, technically, this is illegal. Several people even went so far as to write in to local newspapers ranting and raving about this horrible desecration of our flags.
It's sad that in some people's minds, respecting the flag goes even further than respecting the people who died defending it. - rageguy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Not just that, how about the U.S starts a process of random patriotism tests as well, drivers can be pulled over and administered a questionnaire and a lie detection test. If you fail the test then you loose points off your citizenship license. Finally if you are deemed totally unpatriotic you get imprison for the safety of others.
Afterall someone whome does not like your country the way it is, is obviously dangerous. Those who go against the government and what it stands for are just criminals in the making. - GregoryHarbin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I'm totally with you, Kevin. If I can't burn the flag, then the flag stands for nothing anyway.
- timberfish, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Then I want to move to Almost-America. This is brilliant. :)
- audioscience, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"I wouldn’t mind if Congress were considering changing some other feature of the flag. For example, if they wanted to represent Rhode Island with half a star, I could get behind that."
That is gold right there. - manish22, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I propose a constitutional amendment barring congressmen and senators from seeking re-election
- falseintellect, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Rhode Island has double the population of Wyoming. At least they utilize their space..
- hooksie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I live in RI, and I actually found it a very funny comment
- hackwrench, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5It's late and for a while that sentence made more sense as follows:
The only reason one could ever want to burn a flag is because of the HYPOCRITES who stain it by claiming how great the country is and how we shouldn't even try to better ourselves.
Well, what do you do to a stained flag? Burn it, of course! - Protonz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3It's kinda sad, but I don't mind them wasting tax dollars on this, it keeps them from focusing on taking gay rights away, redefining copyright laws, infringing on privacy, starting other wars...
I don't imagine them passing any positive policies, so lets try to keep them focused on stuff that can't seriously hurt us until we have a chance to get rid of them. In fact, I think all snow cones should be red white and blue, there should be a law. - nixr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4This whole debate is ridiculous. We need to ammend the constitution and get some term limits for these career senators. You want to know what's really wrong with this country? Well, career senators have done more damage than any flag burning commie ever did. If you ask me the devisiveness of our senators is a far worse desecration of the flag than burning one is.
- hormelmeatco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3By the way, keep in mind which other countries ban flag burning: China, Iran, Cuba, and Saddam's Iraq.
- WaterDragon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Flag burning, on certain occasions, is an old american tradition that originated back in the days when flags were made of hemp.
Hard times.?'..smoke 'old glory' (they used to say) - Capta1nA, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4 good article, but the rhode island comment was a cheap shot. as small as the state is, it has as much of a unique identity and character as any other state can have (I live in Mass., not far from RI).
- Niffer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3If it passes, I'll help fund that company with you. We should make the flags some fabric that takes a long time to burn, so you have evidence that it's a near-flag and not a real one if you get caught in the act.
- morrislevy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6Great article. I think the US Gov't has their heads in the wrong place. You know what another agenda was? a PIMP TAX. Shouldn't we focus on other things more important, than putting a tax on ILLEGAL solicitation? Prostitution is illegal!
- artman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Here it is people, Section 8k of the Flag Code: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." And it's recommended a Veteran of a Foreign War or a Member of an Elk's Lodge burn it.
I think all American flags should be fireproof. They probably last longer. Or, have them made of magician's cotton flash. POOF! Viola! No flag!
/damn sick and tired of the whole godamn thing
//thought i'd pass that Section 8k along to ya
///flame on! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2In my understanding desecration refers to something religious. So when did America become its own religion?
- Niffer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2If they need a tag then god damnit, they're getting a tag.
:-) - WaterDragon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2FTA:
"The thing to remember about freedom is that it%u2019s not given, it%u2019s taken."
Nice! I saw tat line in some movie, but it was a parent and their kid....
Freedom is one thing a parent can't give you....you have to take it.
(much like your mom's credit card, eh?) - Stopher, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Adams' idea of a near flag idea is brilliant. If it had an extra stripe on it or an extra or missing star it isn't an American Flag anymore. They couldn't do anything to you for burning something that resembles the flag.
- fyngyrz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"it keeps them from focusing on..."
Sigh. If only that were true. -
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