Fighting for the Flag

Lady Liberty had a very narrow escape from the voracious flag-burning amendment this time. Three cheers for the 34 senators who had the courage to stand against a cynical attempt to manipulate voters, and a firm smacking for the 66 who are wasting our tax dollars debating it when there are real problems to be solved.

The flag-burning amendment is just the first iteration of a cynical algorithm: “Vote to criminalize a behavior perceived as unpatriotic and vilify those who vote against you.” The first iteration is opposing flag-burning, because nearly everyone (including me) sees flag-burning as unpatriotic. But this is just the thin end of a wedge with a very unpleasant payload: if they can outlaw flag-burning, what’s next? There are lots of people who are already calling it treasonous to criticize the President; how soon would they be trying to make that a law?

It’s also pointless. Flag-burning is offensive, but there are lots of ways to offend people. Frankly, if someone’s the sort to take a match to the Stars and Stripes, I want to know about it so I can be careful not to stand with them.

The ACLU have a Fight for the Flag area with good resources for people who want to take a stand for the liberties for which the flag stands. We’re going to hear a lot of drivel trying to cast the senators who voted against the amendment as unpatriotic, and it’s important that we call bullshit wherever we see it.