Whats your position on flag burning?

But who do you attack when you're fed up with the ways of a conglomerate? Like in 'The Grapes of Wrath'. Everyone wanted to attack the tractor driver, it wasn't his fault. Everyone wanted to attack the banks, but it isn't any one banker's fault.

One can be upset at the ways of their own, or another country, but that doesn't mean they attack the president or any one politician in general. Sometimes burning a flag can just be a way to release negative feeling towards the actions of a country, when no individual is to blame, it's a more general form of protest. And one that has much less legal complications.

 

It maybe good for venting anger but I nevertheless find it extremely childish.

 

Unlike attacking the person behind those ideals...

And what objection do you have against someone being childish?

 

Well, what I probably meant was the "bad-childish" part. As in stomping feet, hurling stuff and such.

If you are offended by that term, I'll rephrase and insert the term I used in my earlier post.

 

I don't mind the term. What objection do you have against someone being bad-childish? Seems to me getting upset at the harmless behaviour of others is something a child might engage in, whereas at least the flag-burners are upset at something tangible.

 

I say burn it if they done you wrong. Burn it if they done you right. It only costs about 8 bucks for a new one. People will say that you aren't only burning the flag, but your burning the principles that the flag represents. Which I call as bullshit.

The principles behind it burned to the ground years ago. Flag is just there for show pretty much. It no longer represents a good idea, it represents a broken and bleeding process. Its not illegal, in some contexts it can be a DEMONSTRATION of patriotism. Depending on your reasons for doing so.

 

That's another point - you have to interpret what the protest means first.

Objecting to it on principle just seems silly. It could be against the government's current policies, the original founding principles, the idea of the nation state putting division between peoples, or the colour design of the thing.

 

It seems I'm not expressing myself too well here. I'm not upset. I guess the best expression would be "shaking head in disbelief". I just don't get all that symbolism stuff.

Suppose I was mad at you. So I get hold of a picture of you, throw it on the ground and start stomping on it. When I'm done I shout: "There walsh, how'd ya like THAT. Gave it to ya real good, didn't I?".

I think if I acted like that the term "Idiot" would be appropriate.

 

Clearly, but don't you think it's a bit different - a nation is just an idea whereas I am a real person.

 

Not much of a difference to me. It's about the thought behind the act.

 

The two poll options are "It's a good method of protest" and "It's anti-American". I say it's a good method of protest if you're anti-American. If you have issues with this country then get up off your ass and protest, but flag burning should be reserved for those who actually want this country overthrown. That's what burning the flag symbolizes to me: overthrow the country.

 

Only a flag guys..

 

I'm all for flag burning. I like flag burning.

Keep warm. Burn the state.

 

i do not see ANY government, nor its flag, as sacred.

the one is a shared and enforced illusion. the other is simply an object.

 

No and if someone doesnt like how thier country is being run,THIS IS A GREAT WAY OF SHOWING IT i suppose...

 

theres only one countries flag i'd happily burn. but i'm very proud of my own.never seen anyone tryin' ta burn it, but if i did they'd havta get past me first.

 

My view is a bit more nuanced. I don't think its a good method of protest, because it wouldn't connect with most people. I think Protest should be about communicating very concrete ideas, like preventing cuts to medicaid and social security, not doing things that would just piss off and shock a lot of people. I don't think you should go to jail for flag burning, but I don't think its the greatest form of protest. I wouldn't say its necessarily anti-American, but I can imagine that most who do it might very well be anti-American.

Depending on the context, it could actually be a good method of protest and an anti-American statement. If you chant "Death to America", while burning a flag, you wouldn't care about pissing off Americans, and those statements, symbolic and verbal, could communicate very well to the base you're trying to get a message across to.

 

The wind has likely shifted by now... so I will have also.

Frankly allegiance to a flag representing an entity that has demonstrated almost a sociopath's disregard for subjects constitutes insanity and the flag should be burned.

 

true

 

A flag is a symbol, a totem of ones creed and can have many, colours
however
the philosophy and calibre of character of the individual holds more sway than a piece of material - meThinks