December 15, 2003

When Flag Burning Is Not Free Speech

Getting away from Saddam for a while, we have an article about a man banned from the Columbia, SC courthouse grounds for burning a Confederate flag.

Flag burning is a protected act, right? So why is this guy being punished for engaging in a protected act?

Burning a flag is protected speech, and should be, provided the flag is yours. The problem that this guy really ran into was that the flag belonged to the state.

He is now complaining that his sentence is restricting his right to petition his government. Well, it does. But he abused that right by destroying public property. His right to petition has not been denied. He may not have his favorite avenue available to him, but he is still permitted to petition for redress.

The best part of the story though: he burned the flag - dressed as a black Santa Claus. Got to give him creativity points for that one.

Posted by Chris at December 15, 2003 10:43 PM | TrackBack | Linked by:
Comments

Ummmmmmm....

That's an odd one.

Destroying public property is a crime, even when it's "political speech".

This guy sounds like he's either a complete fruit loop or someone with a very twisted sense of humor.

Posted by: Jack at December 15, 2003 11:06 PM

He should be punished for burning public property, and the confederate flag shouldn't be allowed to be flown on any Governmental establishmenst anywhere in my opinion. The Confederacy was put down just as slavery was. And I don't think people would put up with pro-slavery banners today.
2nd of all. About this whole flag burning issue. I think it should be a felonious act. It's pretty ironic and sacreligious to burn the symbol that stands for freedom, in order express your freedom. And since when does destroying things (ie-OLD GLORY) accomplish anything? All flag burning has done is cause chaos and disruption. That alone should be enough to outlaw it. Again, these are just my opinions, so say what you want. For me I think it's something that is nothing but corrosive to the morale and patriotism that this country posesses.

Posted by: Aaron at December 30, 2003 06:30 PM


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