06-23-2005, 11:08 PM
I'm a Yank and I say, "No, no, no, no, no, a thousand-times NO!"
While I've never had the urge to go out and ignite a flag, someone who does feel that things are so badly screwed up has the fundemental right to express that in a non-violent manner. If that includes burning a flag of the USA, state of Illinois, City of Chicago, whatever. . .then so be it. Others may not like it, but at least I believe they should respect the right to do so.
Ultimately, all this flag veneration troubles me. I understand it is a symbol of the nation. . .but that's all it is a symbol. . .a piece of cloth that serves to remind those who see it what the nation stands for. Ostensiablly, that's things like freedom of speech, religion, etc. When others maintain that it is disrespectful to burn a flag because "they fought and died for that flag," I am truly troubled by that statement. No one should ever be asked to fight and die for a flag. For their nation, their family, those they love, their community, the shared values of their nation and society - those are things worth putting your life on the line for. . .not an inanimant piece of cloth. Unless those supporters of an amendment are going to maintain that the flag takes on the Christian doctrine of Transubstantiation (which I'm sure some will), then they're asking people to die for a symbol.
It seems to me as though they're practicing idolotry by putting the flag up as an idol to be worshiped. I know I've not stated this artfully, but more than making me mad, this whole issue deeply, deeply troubles me.
While I've never had the urge to go out and ignite a flag, someone who does feel that things are so badly screwed up has the fundemental right to express that in a non-violent manner. If that includes burning a flag of the USA, state of Illinois, City of Chicago, whatever. . .then so be it. Others may not like it, but at least I believe they should respect the right to do so.
Ultimately, all this flag veneration troubles me. I understand it is a symbol of the nation. . .but that's all it is a symbol. . .a piece of cloth that serves to remind those who see it what the nation stands for. Ostensiablly, that's things like freedom of speech, religion, etc. When others maintain that it is disrespectful to burn a flag because "they fought and died for that flag," I am truly troubled by that statement. No one should ever be asked to fight and die for a flag. For their nation, their family, those they love, their community, the shared values of their nation and society - those are things worth putting your life on the line for. . .not an inanimant piece of cloth. Unless those supporters of an amendment are going to maintain that the flag takes on the Christian doctrine of Transubstantiation (which I'm sure some will), then they're asking people to die for a symbol.
It seems to me as though they're practicing idolotry by putting the flag up as an idol to be worshiped. I know I've not stated this artfully, but more than making me mad, this whole issue deeply, deeply troubles me.