Flag Flaming Is Fine
The American flag seen by many day after day has been such a symbol for our country, and to see it up in flames is a heart-wrenching picture. Consequently, many have tried to change the Constitution, with an amendment, that protects the people who practice flag burning. But, by passing this amendment, Americans would be destroying their right to freedom of speech. How many actual flag-burners have people encountered in their lifetime? Are so many flags being incinerated or otherwise defaced in this country that they believe we must tamper with the Bill of Rights?
During the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, Gregory Johnson burned an American flag while protestors chanted. No one was physically injured or threatened with injury, but several witnesses were insulted by the flag burning. But, the state could not punish him for the flag burning, because of the First amendment. In 1990, the U.S. Supreme Court considered burning the American Flag as an act that is protected by the First Amendment right to free speech. What Gregory Johnson did was expressive conduct that was protected by the constitution. Johnson's action did not in any way constitute "fighting words." In Johnson's case, the State admitted that there was "no actual breach of the peace occurred at the time of the flag burning or in response to the flag burning." The Supreme Court ruled that Gregory was not guilty of any crime. Congress then passed the Flag Protection Act, which made vandalizing the flag illegal. After a few years in 1990, the Supreme Court ruled that the act was unconstitutional.
Supporters in favor of tampering with the constitution believe that there is only way to get Americans to stop burning flags. The supporters of changing the constitution believe that burning the flag is like disregarding all that our forefathers worked for. For them, the flag stood for freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Battles that had ensured our freedom had...
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