There's been legislation in the works for years about a rather inflammatory (pun intended) topic: flag-burning. It never gets passed, of course. But I believe the entire argument is a pointless whine-fest about one of my personal favorite subjects--semantics.
For those who aren't English geeks, a quick definition of "semantics," as I'm using it here: "the study of the logical aspects of meaning, such as sense, reference, implication, and logical form" (thank you, Oxford American Dictionary). In other words, the study of how word choice subtly influences meaning. Words which are referred to as "synonyms" often really aren't--their definition may be the same, but their implication may not be. And that, I believe, is the root of the flag-burning issue.
Many legislators (mostly conservative, I think) are under the impression that the act of burning the American flag constitutes treason. But does it? That depends entirely on the semantic discussion of the definition and implication of the word "treason". Another quick definition: treason. n. The crime of betraying one's country, esp. by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government. Now, that "esp." causes some issues, doesn't it? It means that treason is not confined to those two acts. It can be other things; any act that can be considered a "betrayal" of one's country. But considered so by whom? The government? The people? God? And what is "betrayal", anyway? What is "crime"? (Just kidding.) Anyway, "treason" and "treachery" have an intent behind them--a nasty one.
People burning flags are doing so for a reason, obviously. And of course, it's impossible to find out what every person's reason is. But if I were to burn an American flag, I would not be burning it as a symbol of my country; the America I know, the America I love and always will. To the rest of the world, the American flag implies many different things: American capitalism, American so-called imperialism, American stupidity and closed-mindedness. My America is not what that flag has come to represent, to me, to other Americans, and to the world. And I believe burning a flag in protest of this would not be a betrayal of my country; rather, I think it would be a legitimate use of my First Amendment rights.
Quite obviously, we are not the Thought Police, and we can't walk up to every person and say, "Sir/Madam, in burning this flag are you intending to betray this country?" But frankly I think people who really want to commit treason would not do it half-assed. If a citizen of this country were to bomb the White House or Capitol Hill, I would agree with a charge of high treason, and with its punishment. However, burning a flag, which is a symbol of many different things to many different people, does not fall in the same category. Semantically, "treason" has an implication of malicious and destructive intent against the government, which is not something that can easily be determined by a court of law in the case of something as arbitrary as flag-burning. Just as the flag is a symbol of different things to different people, so is burning it. It's too much dependent on opinion--and for this country to survive, its laws cannot be built on opinion and semantics. Save the accusations of treason for the real, serious threats and offenses, and stop whining.
Treason (a Question of Semantics)
By quotation - Posted on November 6th, 2007
Sorry - I disagree.
Burning the flag is symbolic of burning the country. Down to the ground. Including and especially it's citizens. To me, it signifies the desire to desire to be a traitor, to be a terrorist, a hatred of (your fellow?) Americans, even if you don't have the balls to do anything about it.
How could you defend burning the flag when hundreds of thousands of Americans have died to defend that very thing?
A flag is a sacred symbol. Burning a country's flag within that nation is like burning a cross in the Vatican.
That's why forty-eight states passed flag desecration laws after the Civil War. Until activist judges decided otherwise, and Congress appealed; it's been an ongoing battle ever since.
I have no disagreement about free speech, sitting on flags, whatever. But don't write on American flags, or desecrate them in any way. It should be illegal, and was for over one-hundred years until some activist judges came along and decided they would change an American tradition honoring the military and this country for it's sacrifices.
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/freespeech/p/flagburning.htm
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speech/flagburning/topic.aspx?topic=...
while it seems that the current interpretation of the First Amendment is that flag burning is free speech (and I think a logical case could be made that it would be protected by the Founding Father's view of free speech against the government), I think it falls under the idea of responsibility.
While one may have a right to free speech, even to burn the flag of a country they have a problem with, we also have a responsibility for our actions. It is a very stupid move to burn the flag and expect to NOT be very angrily confronted about it.
The flag DOES represent this country, and by burning the flag of this country you are calling for the downfall of this country.
It is normally done by people who, at the same time, complain that the government has taken away their rights. Yet, if that were true, they would be round up and shot by the government... which they are not. (For reference, see how protests are dealt with in China: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989 )
I don't think it is much of a stretch to say that flag burning is treason, as it is not only an act that shows contemt for the country, but also gives morale and moral support to the enemies of this country (Especially in this day and age where video of such things are instantly beamed across the world and viewed by those we fight against)
Just as when Jane Fonda manned the AAA guns in North Vietnam, or when John Kerry gave his testimony (which was later found to be wholly dishonest, but no punishment given). . . . those images and soundbites were used by the enemy to torture our captured soldiers.
Whether it is a 'right' or not, to burn the flag, it definately shows a contempt for the United States of America, and shows a desire to not accept the responsibilities that come with each of our precious rights. (Those rights, by the way, are what make this country so great. Remember that next time you seek to burn a flag or rant about how horrible things are here.)
Typical that people in support of nationalistic ie; fascist views should try to hold up symbols as sacred in the face of doctrine which abides no sanction of religion, that would be the first amendment. To let this type of person dictate what is sacred is to deny life its most basic quality. Of course some people just never miss an opportunity to impose their views on other people.
Someone burning a flag of the United States of America as a matter of public display is their right by virtue of standing on US soil. As is any other form of expressing extreme dissatisfaction that doesn't deny anyone else's liberty, with the circumstances the US has created in the course of being a nation . To deny this right is to stifle contrary viewpoint. Being a republic means allowing contrary viewpoints to have a voice and adherence to the egalitarian nature of the Constitution to keep democracy from becoming simply a matter of mob rule.
Burning the Red, White and Blue is a patriotic act compared to the treasonous act of muting the voice of dissent.
Treachery would be consistently making inroads to usurp the spirit of the Constitution of the United States of America which someone swore before the nation to uphold.
Restoring Faith In Humanity One Acquaintance At A Time
in order:
Typical that people in support of nationalistic ie; fascist views should try to hold up symbols as sacred in the face of doctrine which abides no sanction of religion, that would be the first amendment.
so to feel patriotism is to be fascist? Or to just disagree with you about patriotism is to be fascist? If we can fling around words without worrying about their meaning, then I can say that your point of view is very facist.
"fascist" has realy become a big buzzword to use in an arguement to discredit what is said without having to ACTUALLY deal with the arguement at all. Kind of like calling someone racist.
Of course some people just never miss an opportunity to impose their views on other people.
Yeah, kind of like calling someone a fascist when they don't think that it is ok to burn the American flag. Why are your opinions 'more valid' than mine? Why is it that your views should be deemed ok and mine deemed fascist? because you disagree with me? how closedminded, bigoted and fascist.
Someone burning a flag of the United States of America as a matter of public display is their right by virtue of standing on US soil.
actually, no. the constitution applies to Citizens and Legal Immigrants. Only.
As is any other form of expressing extreme dissatisfaction that doesn't deny anyone else's liberty, with the circumstances the US has created in the course of being a nation . To deny this right is to stifle contrary viewpoint.
Hmm... Interesting. So, you are saying that you have been arrested for speaking out against the United States government? Or you just don't like it when people have a contrary opinion to YOUR opinion about the United States government? again, why is your right to be contrary to the government able to trump my right to be contrarian to you?
Being a republic means allowing contrary viewpoints to have a voice and adherence to the egalitarian nature of the Constitution to keep democracy from becoming simply a matter of mob rule.
Yeah, because those that engage in flag burning are really the rational ones, concerned with getting back to the constitution.... I ALMOST belive you.
Burning the Red, White and Blue is a patriotic act compared to the treasonous act of muting the voice of dissent.
Wow. I mean.... wow. In what way is burning the American Flag a sign of patriotic behavior?
Do you honor christians by covering crosses in poo and burning them?
Treachery would be consistently making inroads to usurp the spirit of the Constitution of the United States of America which someone swore before the nation to uphold.
Which is why I oppose liberalism.
I second what he said.
Don't worry, Lance. I've got a real good blog coming for you tonight.
second what I said or what Free2b said?
Well, duh.
Have I ever agreed with anything Fr33 2 b said? Well, maybe, once. I think. I'm not actually willing to admit that. I may have just been appeasing the masses. But definitely not this time. Especially after my original comment.
lol.. ok, just making sure. *grin*
That was so bereft of any style or sensibility that I'll just let it stand on it's own. At least for a while.
Restoring Faith In Humanity One Acquaintance At A Time
I'm a two cent liberal?
heh. Please do explain my liberal views.
This should be fun.
Sometimes I burn holy books wrapped in the US flag just to remind myself that I have the right to do so.
Rome didn't fall in a day
In all honesty, I would never burn an American flag. To me, it symbolizes the America I know and love. I love this country and stand firmly behind it. But I'm living in a foreign country right now, and when people see the American flag they make little noises of derision, before realizing that I'm around. What the American flag symbolizes here--and, I suspect, in many other places as well--is war, violence, and hypocrisy. I don't agree with that viewpoint, but I think a person burning a flag because they did agree with that viewpoint would be within their rights as citizens. I definitely don't like it when people in other countries burn our flag; it seems like a right only we, as citizens, should have. I don't really like it when people take advantage of that right (as you say, in other countries they would be shot or imprisoned), but I don't think it's one that should be taken away.
CEM