why does the flag have to be burned if it touches the ground?
459353
It doesn't have to be burned if it touches the ground.  If a flag somehow touches the ground, it can be just picked up and set right.  If it has gotten dirty, it can be washed.\n\nThese things happen.  Burning the flag is the way to "retire" it after normal wear and tear makes it unseemly to display it.
500725
The rules of the flag are (in no particular order, sorry if I missed one or mores): \n1. Never let it touch the ground\n2. Never fly it in the rain\n3. Only fly it at night if a spotlight is on it\n4. No other flag should be flown higher\n5. There is a particular way to fold it (triangle)\n6. If it touches the ground, it must be burned. The proper way to do this is to cut the stripes in strips and I believe leave the blue whole, but I can't remember for sure. Burning the flag is the only PROPER way to dispose of it. I'm amazed how few people know the rules for our Nations symbol.
1116317
Unconstitutional or not, if you burn a flag, you should be tried for treason. It's one thing to be pissed off at the government and talk about how pissed you are. Free speech gives you that right. But to act on it violently, such as vandalism and arson (which is what you could break it down to when you burn a flag), you are breaking the law.
478479
Because its the one place around the fire that the wind is prevented from pushing it away. If you are standing facing the fire, your body blocks the wind behind you allowing the wind in front of you to push the smoke in your direction with no opposing wind.
855580
Yes it does.\nHowever US Flag Code is merely a suggestion, and is not legally binding.\nYou have a constitutional right to display the flag in ANY manner -- respectful or not.\nSupreme court have said that BURNING the flag is constitutionally protected as free speech -- therefore it safe to say that displaying the flag in any other manner is also protected.[1]
932810
It's meant to insult what the flag stands for. It is an act of defiance. It too is symbolic but it changes no policy.
823948
As I understand it, yes it does, if said action is being used as an expression of opinion and harms/risks no one.\n\nIt's disrespectful, true; but on the other hand, the US of A is not a flag---it's a history and a people, and most importantly, a system of governance that was originally intended to grow with society while still preserving basic freedoms and rights. A flag is merely a symbol, that many people see in different ways (see opinions on the Confederate Battle Flag, for example). What really matters is that our laws preserve our freedoms and support our rights---as the founding fathers intended. I worry far more when a law is implimented that violates those rights, than when some yo-yo burns a flag for the tv cameras. One of them results in a pile of soot and a lot of hoo-ha... the other directly affects my rights and freedoms as a citizen.
175586
If you look at guidons (the wooden flag staffs) carried in parades or on display, you see that the flag is achored on the "Star" side.  Moving forward with the flag causes it to unfurl and blow in the wind with the stars leading.  The same is true on uniforms.  The flag is always represented with the stars advancing.
295051
Because people spilled their blood for it, to protect their family and homes.  During the Civil War, both the Union and Confederate soldiers had the highest rate of mortality among the color bearer's.  When they charged a positions, they never let the colors fall, a man always threw down his musket to pick up the flag.  You don't see that kind of honor or respect for the flag today.
288974
I found this by typing flag etiquette on Yahoo search:\nMy flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?\nSection 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states, "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." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide this service.
265986
U.S. Code, Title 4, Section 1:\n\n"(k) 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." \n\nThe key phrase here that makes this different than a protest is "...destroyed in a dignified way...". It should be done in private, or a respectful ceremony. If you want to take it even a step farther, I've heard from some, but can't find it online, that you should also bury the ashes. \n\nAs for folding the flag, check out the second link below. Fold it up good and tight, and only the union (field of blue with the stars) should be showing. No red and white should be visible at all.
231625
I think the law that is set in place regarding burning the flag is appropriate. I think it is a very disrespectful act to a country who does alot for it's citizens dispite the credit it gets. The flag represent the land and principals, it should not be burned because you disagree with certain laws or happen to not like the president of time... The flag represents our history and our future and should be respected.... just as every country's flag should be respected.....
1021563
I'm with G.M.\n\nThe US Supreme Court said burning the flag is symbolic  "speech."  \n\nOnly recently have I experienced anger over the actions of my government enough to understand why someone would want to express their rage in this manner.  I would not do it, but I can understand the SC's reasoning now.\n\nWe don't need a Constitutional amendment.
1001763
I always believed it was illegal lin this country. Now we find out it isn't. Regardless, I think anyone who burns out flag should leave and go to another country. Pick one that is better than this.
351431
From what I have seen; The American Flag if you are American should be flown as you are facing it on the Left of all other flags. I have also heard that the American flag should be flown higher than flags of other countries. Again only in America. The flag should also be clean and not worn out. Worn out American flags should be burned, if you take a worn US Flag to any US Post office they should take it from you and have it destroyed properly.\n\nI do not have any references and this information just comes from what I have seen and heard.
867688
The only people that have to salute the flag are active military personnel.  What bothers me is when people don't respect the flag by not removing their hats during the National Anthem(rednecks at NASCAR races).  People who think it's part of the freedom of speech to desecrate the flag( i.e. burning it, defecating on it, etc.).
93606
No, I don't belive so, because as a free country, citicens should be able to do what they want, and protest however they wish, so long as it brings no physical harm to others. However, be it Austrailia, U.S.A. (my home), U.K., or any other free nation, it is truely sad for flags to be burned, and kind of counter productive, as they are using the freedoms of that country to burn the flag (irony?). If I were Austrailian, and saw somone burning an Austrailian flag, I would protest by raising mine higher.\n\nBottom Line...\nPeople should have the right to protest as they please, be it flag burners, or FLAG WAVERS!\n\nGreetings from the states!