Burning flag bad

[birdgirl73]

Which is why the left is so bitter and jealous.

Why is it that if we're the ones who're so bitter and jealous, you're normally the one here who, in nearly all your other messages (doubters please do a search and review), are the angriest, name-callingest, most furious right-wing supporter who ever applied fingers to a keyboard?

I was thrilled to see that your message here--this one I'm responding to right this moment--was the most calm, civil, and respectful thing I believe you've ever written. Even so, it did strike me as a bit of a contradiction to have you claim we're the ones who are bitter.

I, for one, am highly optimistic and hopeful about our political situation as I am about most other things. I find myself feeling rather optimistic about you, too, after having read your most recent post. I firmly believe, IamaPatient, that you could win a lot more converts if you could keep a lid on the venom, and I appreciate your having done it here. Just don't go calling others bitter and jealous quite yet. You haven't yet established enough of a track record of your own sweetness to make that claim.

[iamapatient]

Iam, you served to defend our rights, and at a great price, but you're willing to break away from your defence because you have some notion that the LEFT is going to send flag burning, gay, bible bashing, tin foil hat wearing sorts of low-life to suck away all of your core values and make you join Greenpeace...

If we met face-to-face we'd conclude that we both have some things in common, and if that didn't work out we'd duel with pistols, or lawn darts at 20 paces... Peace!

No, I'm not the deluded one here. My distaste for the left is because modern liberalism is a disease, communism, socialism and the American democrat party are mere symptoms, as is the Anti-Americanism of europe and other places. Luckily there is a cure, it's called capitalism. As Thomas Sowell said, "democrats are the only reason to vote Republican.

Humans, on a mj web forum with something in common? You don't say? I wonder what it could be...

[Euphoric]

or lawn darts at 20 paces... Peace!

lol

[iamapatient]

lol

Don't laugh, I could hit him with one from that distance.

[Fengzi]

I'm having a hard time with a couple points in this thread... I'd love to wave the flag and say that we stand for great things and that we should expect great things, but all I see is polorizing rants and posts from the NPR/PBS and TalkRadio/FoxNews crowds.

I respect--actually, I'll defend to the death--the right to free speech, but I also want to know more about "what the fuck" is eating someone that burns it... Maybe I'll want to smack them when I hear why they're burning it and maybe I won't. I've never bought this "my country right or wrong" crap.

Isn't that how we went from 9/11 to the Axis of Evil speach? Some goober (Bush speaking through Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz) takes a horrible event and decides it's us against the world and goes out and creates enemies.

I know what you mean graymatter, especially about the way Bush has shamelessly used 9/11 to rally the flag waving crown to further his own agenda.

As far as what is eating flag burners is concerned, I live about 45 minutes from Berkely, the holy mecca of liberalism. I have known quite a few flag burner types including a few actual known burners. From what I've seen (although I'm not saying 100% of flag burners fall into this catagory) most do it simply to get a rise of out those who hold the flag sacred. Other's do it to jump on what I call the "cause of the week" bandwagon. You know, flag burning one week, save the rainforest the next week, anti-globalism the next, etc, etc. If someone really, really belives so strongly in something, and sees flag burning as a legitimate expression of it, than I could find it acceptable. Although still in very poor taste. If however, they're just doing it because it's the in thing to do, like wearing patchuli oil and not bathing, then they simply need a good smackin'

[iamapatient]

(Please excuse the editing for format, not content)

...most do it simply to get a rise of out those who hold the flag sacred. Other's do it to jump on what I call the "cause of the week" bandwagon. You know, flag burning one week, save the rainforest the next week, anti-globalism the next, etc, etc.
...If however, they're just doing it because it's the in thing to do, like wearing patchuli oil and not bathing, then they simply need a good smackin'

If someone really, really belives so strongly in something, and sees flag burning as a legitimate expression of it, than I could find it acceptable. Although still in very poor taste.

Most of the hateful anti-Bush/America posts here are for the same reasons you posted above, imho.

Just WHAT, exactly, would constitute a legitimate reason for burning an American flag, in America? Liberal jealousy and bitterness over the Sore/Loserman2000 election? More delusional expectations dashed when the political platform of hate failed in 2002 and again in 2004? What are flag burners trying to "express," anti-war pacifism, socialism?

[graymatter]

Just WHAT, exactly, would constitute a legitimate reason for burning an American flag, in America?

Not to speak for Fengzi, but one reason is the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Like you, I served to defend and protect the rights of "individuals" (not necessarilly retarded, either) to do and say things I object to... whether it's burning the flag or dipping a crucifix in a jar of piss and calling it art. It's all protected expression... last I knew, anyway. :thumbsup:

[iamapatient]

Well, as I said, it is, for now, considered expression but what are they expressing with the burning of the American flag? While they may have a right to burn a flag, for now, they also have to take responsibility for the repercussions, like the Dixie Chicks have seen, for example. There is, however, legislation pending that would protect the flag. Calling something art, doesn't make it art.

[graymatter]

Well, as I said, it is, for now, considered expression but what are they expressing with the burning of the American flag? While they may have a right to burn a flag, for now, they also have to take responsibility for the repercussions, like the Dixie Chicks have seen, for example. There is, however, legislation pending that would protect the flag. Calling something art, doesn't make it art.

I'd like to have some of the Dixie Chicks FINANCIAL repurcussions... even if the gates slow in the south, I'd be happy. I've always liked their stuff, long before they pissed off the right; they're edgy and smart...

Anyway, determining what art is or isn't is problematic... I know you know that.

[iamapatient]

Oh please, there's art and then there's instigation under the guise of art. Don't pretend such things don't exist.