oooph... this is a tough one. I hate it when people burn the flag, too, and I want them exited from our country. But, it's freedom of speech... and making this offense punishable by a year in jail could lead to a slippery slope, and the Principle of Freedom becomes a principle akin to freedom.
Makes me wonder if this is some sort of ploy just to get the tards to explode.
I disagree. If burning any flag of any country or organization considered hate speech, the same goes for the American flag. Either apply the law equally or not at all
There is no such thing as hate speech laws in America. If someone goes to jail for burning other flags, you fight those laws. You don't expand them to include things you don't like too.
Is it freedom of speech? The burning flag is not speaking. It is arson. And hate. If they arrest people for tire marks on a gay fag rainbow painted on a street, burning a flag should be worse.
Arson is when you burn something that belongs to someone else. Hate is not something you can regulate in America. If someone wants to buy a flag and burn it, that's their right. Same if they want to buy a Bible or a Koran or Book of Mormon or Origin of Species and burn one of them.
You have every right to destroy your own property, for whatever reason you choose, including, making a political point.
Public nuisance, nah. Nice try. We have a right to protest in public as long as it doesn't cause physical harm to others or their property.
Threat to public safety, possibly.
Polluting air? Maybe depending on the local laws.
Damage to public infrastructure by burning a flag? Pretty sure pavement withstands 4th of the July fireworks just fine and not different here.
Obstructing traffic? Yeah if they do it while obstructing traffic.
But if you can prove that these charges are being tossed about as a way to discourage the free exercise of speech by burning a flag, they'll be rightfully tossed out.
I think the Supreme Court has already spoken on this. But I don't think there's anything unconstitutional with charging them with felony arson, since they're starting fires without permits in public places.
speech
noun
ˈspēch
Synonyms of speech
1
a
: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words
b
: exchange of spoken words : CONVERSATION
2
a
: something that is spoken : UTTERANCE
b
: a usually public discourse : ADDRESS
3
a
: LANGUAGE, DIALECT
b
: an individual manner or style of speaking
4
: the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking
oooph... this is a tough one. I hate it when people burn the flag, too, and I want them exited from our country. But, it's freedom of speech... and making this offense punishable by a year in jail could lead to a slippery slope, and the Principle of Freedom becomes a principle akin to freedom.
Makes me wonder if this is some sort of ploy just to get the tards to explode.
I disagree. If burning any flag of any country or organization considered hate speech, the same goes for the American flag. Either apply the law equally or not at all
You're assuming I even agree with there being such a thing as hate speech. Look at the slippery slope THAT led to.
Hate crimes are a fraud upon the people.
Crimes are written to provide justice for harms brought about by another party. And that protection should apply to all people equally.
The motive behind the crime is irrelevant.
There is no such thing as hate speech laws in America. If someone goes to jail for burning other flags, you fight those laws. You don't expand them to include things you don't like too.
There should be no hate speech laws.
Is it freedom of speech? The burning flag is not speaking. It is arson. And hate. If they arrest people for tire marks on a gay fag rainbow painted on a street, burning a flag should be worse.
Arson is when you burn something that belongs to someone else. Hate is not something you can regulate in America. If someone wants to buy a flag and burn it, that's their right. Same if they want to buy a Bible or a Koran or Book of Mormon or Origin of Species and burn one of them.
You have every right to destroy your own property, for whatever reason you choose, including, making a political point.
Exactly
Ok. Setting an item ablaze in public is arson. Cut and dry. Simple. Illegal.
Public nuisance. Threat to public safety. Polluting air. Damage to public infrastructure, pavement, etc. Obstructing traffic.
Arrest them for those offenses.
Not arson. If it belongs to you, it's not arson.
Public nuisance, nah. Nice try. We have a right to protest in public as long as it doesn't cause physical harm to others or their property.
Threat to public safety, possibly.
Polluting air? Maybe depending on the local laws.
Damage to public infrastructure by burning a flag? Pretty sure pavement withstands 4th of the July fireworks just fine and not different here.
Obstructing traffic? Yeah if they do it while obstructing traffic.
But if you can prove that these charges are being tossed about as a way to discourage the free exercise of speech by burning a flag, they'll be rightfully tossed out.
Hopefully you're never homeless and burning things in a barrel to keep warm.
Just curious what your thoughts would be about putting a US flag into a giant shredder at a protest.
I should have worded my post similar to yours. Maybe I wouldn't have 6 minus points if I had.
I think the Supreme Court has already spoken on this. But I don't think there's anything unconstitutional with charging them with felony arson, since they're starting fires without permits in public places.
People are not speaking when they're burning the flag. Have you ever seen a person speaking at a podium and burning the flag at the same time?
"Speech" encompasses far more than making sounds with your mouth. Quit being retarded.
Daniel begs to differ:
Well there’s your problem - you’re using a standard dictionary for legal terms. Try a law dictionary.
Speech takes many forms. Not just speaking. You can burn your own flag legally in this country no matter what colors or patterns are found on it.
Have you seen money gushing out of people's mouths when they talk?
The Supreme Court has ruled that donations are a form of political speech. Thus, your actions hold the same weight as your spoken words.