It’s not just flags.

Thanks for the clarification on some statements. That is the problem with a blog. It is hard to get your point set straight like you want at times.

I also agreed with you as you stated about 1st Amendment rights and the criminal act when someone else does it on your property. Like the illegal issue, most issues have a myraid of opinions and “fixes”. I like reasonable dialogue, even if I disagree. Most of time you can understand another persons point of view when properly expressed.

I guess the flag burning on private property is the reason for most consternation in this case, and rightfully so. Flag burning is not new, certainly. Flag burning your flag on your front porch is.

Thanks again for your contribution and opinions. I enjoy reading yours.

Agreed. =)

If only people here understood that it’s hard making the comment that it’s OK to burn a flag as a symbol of protest when I’ve made an Oath to protect Virginia and defend the Constitution.

I once had a retired Marine ask me why I wear a pistol out in public. Looked him straight in the eyes and told him; I wear it to honor the service and sacrifice you may be called upon one day to make. We have rights in the US because people choose to fight for those rights. It would be a dishonor for me NOT to use my right to wear my sidearm.

I don’t have to ‘agree’ with your right to burn a flag (as a protest not as a matter of arson - again so people are clear of my position) but it’s my job as a citizen to defend it.

“If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.”

To those that don’t agree with me, I sympathize. I understand - I do - that the flag is more than just cloth to some people. And, I agree with you. However, if we are to be a free nation then even the most vile forms of speech should be protected - in the name of freedom.

Anchor Baby, I think you are seriously misunderstood. I thought you were perfectly clear. Sort of sounded like good old common sense American values to me. Of course, being a moderate, I probably just put the kiss of death on you.

Now, having said that. I can understand that there is a lot of emotion tied up in our nations symbol - the flag. But, regardless of the nationality of the flag you have the right to burn it in protest of something or to advance a political speech. You do NOT have the right to burn someone elses’ flag (such as a flag attached to a home) but if you goto Wal-mart and buy a Mexican/American/Isreali/insert a nation here flag and you want to burn it on your own property — that’s fine. If you burn it on public property depending on the circumstances it’s protected speech. You might not ‘like’ that (that’s how the cookie crumble comment from above) but that’s the law. Don’t like it? Change the law.

The concept of a hate crime is offensive to me. Why should we protect any one class over another? It smacks of liberalism at it’s worst. If you want to defend hate crimes, fine. That’s your right. But, to me - it doesn’t make any sense to have 1 citizen worth more than another. The anology I used is that hate crime to me is like affirmative action. It is demeaning because it means that a person needs protection because of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, whatever. If you agree with AA and hate crimes - that’s great. I don’t. We can agree to disagree on that point.

Re-read what I wrote people. I agree that burning something on someone’s property is illegal. Going as far as saying it’s a hate crime? Obviously it depends on the situation.

R/W/B, your confusing my example of burning a flag in protest as saying it’s legal, legit and constitutional to burn a flag attached to a structure in the dead of night. That’s not at all what I said.

Until the SCOTUS says otherwise, burning a flag in protest is legal. We can change that though, by proposing a constitutional ammendment to rescind the 1st Amendment.

As far as 1st amendment rights go, burn whatever flag you want on your own property. If I saw you burning an American flag in your front yard, shouting about amnesty rights, I’d shake my head and move on. I’d disagree, but your protest doesn’t affect me.

Now, if you’re sneaking up to my house, setting a flag on fire- even if you don’t say a word- on my property, I’ll take that as a hate crime. I see this as an intimidation ploy against Americans. No, it won’t work on all of us, but the intent seems to be there. Unless you have proof it was only a harmless prank, we’ll have to assume the worst possible intent.

And let’s not delve into the “affirmative action” bit, ok? There’s no proof either way that you didn’t get your job through AA. Of Course, the appearance of AA preference may still be there, so it’s not an area to brag about.

Check out: http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/706270

I was disappointed when I was tagged with gang signs. Gang graffitti is bad but it does not have the same danger as setting my house on fire. I am afriad that if I caught someone setting my home on fire I would have to use the self defense excuse at my trial.

To ANCHOR BABY:
I have to say also that there are very few people on this blog that disturb me as much as “ANCHOR BABY”. You are disgusting! It is how your “cookies crumble” that bothers me so much. You do not deserve that six figure military income. By the way, what are your work hours and days, such that you can post here during hours that other government workers are at their desks WORKING?

I see your point but I disagree:

You said: It’s too simplistic to think of burning any flag as a hate crime. What’s the motivation for it? What are the circumstances?

Hate is hate. We see people in the streets from other countries burning our flag as well as the flags of other countries. These are statements of hatred; expressed in a manner to offend and demean.

You said: Burning a Mexican flag while yelling racial slurs — very likely a hate crime.

What is the difference whether words or yelling were involved? You don’t have to say anything, the expression in itself is demeaning and denigrating.

You said: Burning a Mexican flag while talking about the failure of Congress to pass meaningful immigration laws and policies - protected 1st Amendment speech.

I do not recall anyone “burning a Mexican flag” to keep Congress from passing, what you term as, meaningful immigration laws and policies. Congress was petitioned, en masse, by the people via normal communication methods to halt proposed legislation giving illegals rights and possible citizenship. No one burned Mexican flags and no one kept anyone from using the 1st Amendment. The illegals lost the vote that the people believed they never had.

You said: The symbol of this country isn’t just a flag but a person excercising their right to burn that flag in protest.
If you feel ‘intimidated’ by that I’m sorry. It’s how the cookie crumbles.

You seem to encourage and approve of flag burning as a right and a means to an end. You also seem to forward that the flag is not the symbol of the country when, in fact, it is. That is why countries have flags - it is their national symbol and a sign of sovereignty. If anyone burns anothers flag is an aggressive act short of fighting. It is to encite bitterness and rage, not encourage dialogue or counsel. If one burns another’s flag, what is the response you would expect? Such as this blog, it has upset many people - as it was intended. If those exercising their 1st Amendment rights by letting others know how they feel, well, that is how the cookie crumbles. And if intimidation has to be performed in the cloak of night and burn flags on porches, that is not much intimidation - it is criminal cowardice when done in secrecy and on private property - by whomever.

You said: Personally, I think ‘hate crimes’ are demeaning - like affirmitive action.

I agree, hate is demeaning but no one can change inner feelings by acts such as flag burning, it only inflames. I do not agree with affirmative action but certainly it is not a hate crime in any way, shape or form.

You said: I didn’t get my six-figure job working for the military because I was latino. I got it because I’m good at what I do.

Your “six-figure job” has nothing to do with this issue but I guess you like to brag. I am glad you good at what you do, I hate to see taxpayers money wasted.

It’s too simplistic to think of burning any flag as a hate crime. What’s the motivation for it? What are the circumstances?

Burning a Mexican flag while yelling racial slurs — very likely a hate crime.
Burning a Mexican flag while talking about the failure of Congress to pass meaningful immigration laws and policies - protected 1st Amendment speech

The symbol of this country isn’t just a flag but a person excercising their right to burn that flag in protest.

If you feel ‘intimidated’ by that I’m sorry. It’s how the cookie crumbles.

Personally, I think ‘hate crimes’ are demeaning - like affirmitive action.

I didn’t get my six-figure job working for the military because I was latino. I got it because I’m good at what I do.

if it’s done to intimidate someone.

Seems pretty intimidating to me.

“Hang a flag, and we burn you!”

Kinda speaks for itself, don’t you think?

Look at what it is they left. Now look at what they do here…it’s the same thing, eventually leading to the same results.

You can try running from your problems but they have a funny, funny way of catching up with you.

If that’s true, UnMasMexican, why are you and your friends so hell-bent on destroying this country??