The American flag, to many, is the symbol of life and liberty. Freedom from oppression and the ability to run one's own life with minimal government intervention is what our country fought for all those years ago. The day after the SpanishAmerican War was declared, schools mandated the worship of the flag (Kaminer). So, when the issue of burning our great flag arises, everyone should be against it, right? Well, not exactly. The first amendment of the Constitution states that American citizens have the right to express themselves through free speech. Essentially, burning the American flag is speech without dialogue. Therefore, according to the Constitution, flag desecration is legal. However, flag protectionists are not going to give up that easy.

The main controversy surrounding this issue is whether an amendment forbidding flag burning would infringe on our first amendment rights. In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that flag desecration was protected under our first amendment rights. In 1995, a constitutional amendment that would have given Congress the power to ban flag desecration was introduced to the Senate and the House of Representatives (Kamin

Protectors of the flag argue that burning an American flag is like spitting in the face of America and its democracy. On the other hand, flag burners argue that under America's democracy, they were given the right to express themselves freely. Obviously, this issue may never be settled with a positive outcome.

Coming to a decision on this issue is going to take time. There will be a group, or groups that will feel like they have been cheated. Nevertheless, they need to realize that the government is taking what they feel is the best possible course for flag desecration.

A third course of action could be a ban on flag burning for the purpose of protest against America. This would still make flag burning legal, but not as a malicious act towards the country. So, the people who burn flags as a way of disposing of them because they are old and tattered would still be protected under the first amendment. This course of action would allow all other forms of desecration to be legal. Things such as swimming trunks, neckties, napkins, bumper stickers, ect. would continue to be legal. Whatever comes of this issue, our social responsibility needs to be the main ideal that becomes known.

Constitution making desecration of the flag illegal, the public has to be ready to deal with it, and follow it. Our government, however, needs to practice the ideal of fairness and integrity when such an issue is brought up. They need to listen to all sides and decide which course of action will contribute to the greater good of the country.

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Approximate Word count = 1317
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)