Crofton Online: Flag Burning Amendment

Just Say "No" to the Flag Burning Amendment

On the surface, the so-called flag burning amendment might seem reasonable, but consider the following facts:

We were taught as youngsters that the only proper way to dispose of the flag was to burn it. Any legislation that allowed one person to burn a flag reverently but that stopped another person from burning a flag in political protest, would have to punish thought rather than action, which is not a good thing.

The proposed amendment actually bans "desecration" of the flag. Desecration is defined in our trusty Merriam-Webster's as "to violate the sanctity of." Sanctity is defined as "holiness of life and character: GODLINESS." So who is going to define what "holiness" and "godliness" are? Is that something we really want the government to define for us?

Come on, folks. Changing the First Amendment in this manner would be a serious mistake.

NOTE: Crofton area Republicans Wayne Gilchrest and Robert Ehrlich voted in favor of this ridiculous amendment. Remember that in November, 2000!

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