Republicans Burning Up Over Burning The Flag

The House of Representatives have passed a measure that would make it illegal to burn the U.S. flag, at least in this country. A 1989 Supreme Court ruling stated that burning the U.S. flag was protected under the First Amendment, freedom of speech. This isn't the first time the issue has been raised since then, but it may go through this time. It'll be a close one, that's for sure.

Supporters of the Amendment went so far as to speak for the dead, citing what people who died in the attack on the WTC would say.

"Ask the men and women who stood on top of the Trade Center," said Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif. "Ask them and they will tell you: pass this amendment."

It always amazes me when the Republican Neo-Cons use the dead to promote their agenda, as if they would take their side. And why not use them, it's not like they can contradict you ... they're dead.

I hope I never die in a terrorist attack, because then I automatically become a supporter of the Bush Administration and the rightwing Neo-Con agenda. I bet if Cunningham asked the people who died in the WTC, a lot of them would tell him to f#%k off.

Seriously, does Cunningham think that a ban on flag burning would have stopped the WTC attack. Hell, they burned a lot of flags that day and I doubt any law against it would have deterred them in any way.

In a response against the proposed amendment, I think Nadler said it best.

"If the flag needs protection at all, it needs protection from members of Congress who value the symbol more than the freedoms that the flag represents."

Sadly this administration and its supporters are all about symbolism and catchy phrases. It's magnetic yellow ribbons on the SUV's and slogans such as "Freedom Is On The March" which drives this group. Yet they fail to realize that those yellow ribbons do more to support the economy of China, which makes them, while freedom is marching down its own Trail of Tears.


AP: House Approves Move to Outlaw Flag Burning