Thread: Flag Burning: Freedom of Speech?

Flag waving, like certain national holidays, is nothing more than nationalism disguised as patriotism.

I agree with BF and MM on this.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

I can't imagine why anyone would want to burn a flag in the first place.

Cause it annoys those who like to wave it in others faces!

The ambulance wouldn't even be needed for some idiot who, say, burned the Thai Flag outside the Grand Palace.

Just send the ME and a herse...

Yes, that said idiot would be subject to the Thai version of "freedom of expression" real fast!

Try doing it a Bluegrass concert. Most might not be the right word you were looking for.

I bet more Americans would thrash your faggoty ass than you might think if you attempted burn the flag in front of them.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by KID

can You Say Ambulance Please !!!!!

what happened to Freedom of Speech ?

I bet most americans won't move if anyone was burning one, unless there is a small crowd of silly nationalist hanging around with nothing better to do

If you really need to burn flags to express yourself then burn your own in the privacy of your own property, then sit back and wonder how clever you are for going through the ritual without actually offending anyone.

how about taking a dump on the flag ? why is the burning such a sacrilege ? how about tearing it ? would the effect be the same ?

Originally Posted by keda

If you really need to burn flags to express yourself then burn your own in the privacy of your own property, then sit back and wonder how clever you are for going through the ritual without actually offending anyone.

According to the 'rules', when the US flag wears out - like gets tattered etc., you are supposed to burn it - not just throw it in the trash.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by KID

can You Say Ambulance Please !!!!!

what happened to Freedom of Speech ?

I bet most americans won't move if anyone was burning one, unless there is a small crowd of silly nationalist hanging around with nothing better to do

GIVE IT A GO AND SEE IF YOUR SUSPICIONS ARE RIGHT

P.S.-- PAY YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUM FIRST !!!!

Don't seem too popular, that flag:


















Lots more here: American Flag Burning Archive; USA Flags Page 2

The "flag" represents many different things to different individuals.

To some, it represents hegemony.

To some, it represents opportunity.

To some, it represents imperialism.

To some, it represents, the Constitution & Bill of Rights.

To some, it represents, ideals.

To some, it represents acts - both good & bad, and/or both.


The "flag" shouldn't represent anything.


The entire concept of nation-state flags, is too promote nationalism and the interests of the government of that particular nation-state.


Flag worship appeals to the dummies.


Ideas, ideals, and actions, should be more important, IMO.


This is why, what the U.S. flag represents, is embarrassing.

^
You're full of shit...
Here's just one example of an American Muslim who's proud to be in a Memorial Day parade and instill pride in our flag to her son...

So why's he trying to eat it...

She's just showing for a photoshooting that she's not a 'terrorist'.
Not that this should convince anyone, who knows what she's hiding under that burqa...

To me, a flag is just another logo, a form of brand recognition.
They are worth neither worshipping or burning.

milkman-- would you do nothing if someone spat in your face??? basically when you burn a country's flag that's what your doing, except to a whole nation.

It is about nationalistic pride and America has plenty to be proud of !!!!

Originally Posted by KID

milkman-- would you do nothing if someone spat in your face??? basically when you burn a country's flag that's what your doing, except to a whole nation.

I see it very differently.

As I said, the flag represents many different things to many different American citizens and non-American citizens.

You may perceive it as spitting in someone's face. I do not.

And what the flag represents, can change over time for a person.

It is about nationalistic pride and America has plenty to be proud of !!!!

That's fine.

But the flag is not real.

The Constititution, is.

Originally Posted by KID

It is about nationalistic pride and America has plenty to be proud of !!!!

Hitler and Stalin would agree. Good job.

every person should be proud of the achievement's of their country

buttboy-- sorry that you feel your country has achieved nothing to be proud of!!!!

maybe it is a personal problem?? I am sure that at least a few of your countrymen have some nationalistic pride and are proud of what your country's flag represents !!!

[quote=Milkman;315129
That's fine.

But the flag is not real.

The Constititution, is.[/quote]

I would go along with this.
Flags are used as a symbol by Extremists of all persuasions. All of the right wing loonie groups seem to have flags. So do radical lesbians, aboriginal land rights groups, peace activists and so on. As if having a flag makes any difference to the credibility of your cause.

The USA or any other nation becomes no worse or poorer if someone burns it's flag. Neither does it become any richer or better if someone worships it to the point of jingoism.

Originally Posted by KID

every person should be proud of the achievement's of their country

oh, no doubt that the Nazis were very proud of what they were doing and what they accomplished in those camps. I am sure you would also.

Likewise, I am sure you are proud of what your country has done in Iraq, creating a humanitarian disaster, and kiling ragheads etc...

Likewise, I am sure AQ, and the Saudis are also proud of what their "men" did on 911

A job well done in all those instances
see, everybody is proud, and that's exactly the problem.

Originally Posted by sabang

As if having a flag makes any difference to the credibility of your cause.

It does, though.
Visual images are strong, suggestive symbols and conveyors of meaning, that's easily verifiable even from the few comments in this thread.

It's foolish to ignore this.

^ What you have described there is the 'selling' of meaning and credibility Stroller.
Whilst having an identifiable logo or flag or slogan may enhance your credibility in the eyes of many people- and therefore be 'right' to people who share that agenda or cause- it does not in itself make the cause any more right or wrong.
Which is why to me a flag, be it national or for a cause or interest group, remains essentially a logo.
The bottom line is, I don't get so worked up about flag burning as a means of protest for that reason, but I find it a pretty meaningless protest.

Seems like that would be more appropriate for Flag Day (ironic that we have a day set aside for flag worship) or July 4.