Burn The Flag - But Plan The Getaway

Another movement to make burning the American Flag a crime is upon us. A constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the Stars and Stripes has been approved for the seventh time in the House since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the federal Flag Protection Act unconstitutional in 1990. Passed by all 50 states, this bill has a bad track record in the Senate - having been stalled and finally extinguished in legislation four times. Apparently, this might be Year of The Flag.

"The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States," states the amendment. Naturally, the ACLU (Anti-Conservative Lobbyist Union) is strongly opposed to such an amendment.

Although the Bolton thing is still taking up valuable time (so much for Reid's "no filibuster" promise), Social Security and a possible Supreme Court Chief Justice nomination are probably at the top of the agenda, this amendment is just within a few votes (judging by statements made by Senators) and might actually become law.

I feel somewhat ambivalent about the constitutionality of such an amendment, yet I believe strongly that the Flag represents the sacrifices of millions, in and out of uniform, who have made this great nation what it is today. We should not pray to it, but respect and cherish it.

Although I am not completely convinced that those who choose to publicly burn or disgrace the American Flag haven't the constitutional right to do so, I also have my constitutional rights: That is, the right to a phone call, attorney and fair trial after having beaten the stuffing out of anyone who dares to protest in this manner while in my presence.