Dose the first amendment right give us the right to burn are flag?
819691
I am a conservative Republican and I absolutely believe that we have a First Amendment Right to burn the U.S. Flag.  "I may not agree with a word that you are saying, I but I would defend, to the death, your right to say it."    No law abridging "freedom of speech".  First you have to ask what "speech" is.  If you think that speech only means "the spoken and written word", then fine, that's it.  The real question becomes, how far should the government be able to go to control your message coming across?  Hey, the internet and this Board aren't mentioned.  What is stopping the Government from shutting this site down.  Typing this stupid debate is not "speech" right?  P.S. chicks are allowed to dance nude BECAUSE of the liberal interpretation of "free speech", so don't rock the boat!
1156274
The flag is the symbol of our COUNTRY ... not the successive governments ... consequently, if you desecrate the flag, you desecrate the country ... any American who desecrates the flag, spits on his country and on the people who spent their lives defending it ... well, if that's what they want to do, then that's what they want to do, in the name of "freedom of speech" .. personally, I think if anyone feels they have a need to express contempt for their country, all I can say is ... America is not for you ... get out of it ...
237658
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees, among other things, freedom of speech, but this right is not absolute.  Certain types of speech are not protected by the Constitution, which means that State goverments may promulgate laws to limit them.  Examples include "fighting words" (words meant to provoke a physical fight), "commercial speech" (claims made in advertising), "obscenity" (prurient language), etc.
743384
I refuse to believe that there is anything 'bad' about Freedom of Speech and Expression... \n\nafter all, if someone decides to burn a flag as expression, I might have to pop him in the face with a 2 x 4 as an expression! \n\nIn all reality, freedom to speech and expression should be taken for what it is. Just because someone is speaking or 'expressing' themselves, doesn't mean you have to listen or watch. I think that is one area where the line gets blurry for some. One has any right to say or do (so long as it doesn't cause harm to a person or persons, another blurry area), but no one should be forced to listen or watch.
221858
What do you mean the right? We have free speech don't we?
1058941
Of course, first amendment rights.\nI Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!
1186794
Flag burning is ONLY okay if you are using it in the proper way.  Flag burning is used to retire old flags and there is a ceremony that goes along with it.  Any other type of flag burning is a slap to my face as an American and yes I take great offense to it.   If you want to burn the American flag in some other country go for it, but you do it in my front yard and you'll have me to reckon with.
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.
139068
The firs amendment is part of the bill of rights, which was ratified in 1791.  It protects the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition, etc.  The followinig sources are great for learning about the first amendment...\n\nAlso, check out this blurb.\n\nCONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.
777147
Just argue it as your First Amendment right.
332537
In America, no.  That would put them afoul of the 1st Amendment.  And while the 1st Amendment is slowly but surely being whittled away, we're still not yet at the point where the press has to submit stories for goverment approval before publication.
1058802
The First Amendment protects stupid opinions.
1081828
Hell no. The flag symbolizes our freedom - including the freedom to burn it if we want. Will they ban using it on clothes? How about letting it hang outside your house until it's tattered and faded? What about all those made in China magnetic ones on the backs of cars that are filthy dirty?\n\nThe flag burning amendmant is just a way for republicans to placate their rightist followers without doing anything.
822519
By private individuals, if they own the item, they can burn it. It's their property, and whether doing it as symbolic expression or merely disposing of personal property, it's not something that can be regulated by the govt.\n\nIf you're talking about the state seizing property and destroying it, then such action constitutionally prohibited as infringment on both speech and religion. \n\nSo, (at least in the US) the state can't stop people from doing it, but they can't do it themselves.
283595
Yes, the constitution does allow the rights of freedom speech, assembly, and religious practice in the 1st amendment.  But because these rights sometimes conflict with eachother (like in your scenario), its pretty safe to say that you have right and liberties as long as they dont interfere with anyone else, or cause other people malicious harm.
348759
No it is definately not. There are several rules governing what you can and cannot do to the flag (assuming you are talking about the greatest and prettiest flag in the world - Old Glory). Check the site below to see them.\n\nFYI - Bushy Bush desecrated an American flag by signing his name to it for a "fan" (I call fans of Bush "traitors"). He is thereby a traitor to this country, and should be tried and condemned as such. Just my thoughts on the subject. Can you tell I didn't vote for him?
906868
I do not think flag-burning should be illegal.  I also think it should be legal to shoot flag-burners.\n\nUntil they are both legal, neither should be.