Evidently, my own rant was too weak. I didn't realize that this time the idiots in congress could actually pass a fucking flag amendment. Can anyone imagine this going to the states? Local politics suck worse than national.
But again, how stupid is this? Come on help me out. What are we saying about freedom when we pass laws to curtail it about a symbol? Can we burn copies of the constitution? What about the holy Declaration? What about state constitutions or state flags? What about the Christian Flag (abomination that it is)? What is going on here?
I am too annoyed to think clearly. What is this like? What is the analogy here? Killing people to prove that killing people is wrong? What about beating kids to prove that beating kids is wrong? No, that is the same damn thing. More like forcing people to worship God freely. Or banning discussion on free speech?
This is about the stupidest thing I can imagine our politicians addressing. No word yet on healthcare, but by God we can pass the most moronic legislation in a free society. Question: will this also include people who deface the flag by wrapping themselves in it? What about flag bathing suits? Flag ties? Flag Jesus Fish? Flag bumper stickers? What about those stupid fucking morons who drive around with tattered and dirty little flags on their cars--cars emblazoned with a faded bumper sticker that says "these colors don't run."
So, grownups, where are you? Where are the people who recognize that free speech means something in this country because it is extended to people we find stupid and moronic (yes, I am thinking of James Dobson right now)? Where are the people who understand that freedom is more than political rhetoric? Where are the people who will recognize that just because something like this is popular, doesn't mean it is a good thing? Where are the people who understand that our flag is stirring and beautiful, but it isn't an idol. It isn't really who we are. Our freedoms and our laws are who we are. Goddamnit.
I will say this one more time and welcome comments. There is no defense of this amendment. None. Zip.
11 comments:
If I didn't agree with everything you wrote here, I might suggest that one good analogy would be throwing a tantrum to show the importance of acting like a grown-up . . .
The proposed amendment is demagoguery pure and simple. Did you notice that its passage coincides nicely with recent poll findings that American fears of a terror attach have declined dramatically?
Now the message seems to be, ok, maybe we're not under attack, but the flag is, and since its a symbol of all we hold dear, we are symbollically under attack.
Hey, wanna room together at Gitmo?
(If anyone, especially the troops, received this comment as implying that human rights abuses occurring there are akin to human rights abuses elsewhere, I sincerely apologize for forgetting that its different if we do it.)
"Flame On!"
It's these sorts of laws that make the rest of the world mistrust the US when they throw the word "freedom" around so easily.
kgp
I wonder if the amendment will be worded in such a way as to accidentally ban flag-slathered shit, i.e. T-shirts, bumper stickers and other fine capitalistic examples of what is technically desecration. That would be really, really funny.
I'd be interested to know how many of our esteemed congress have actually ever witnessed someone burning a flag? Is the haze from the smoke obscuring their chauffeurs' view of the road? Perhaps the best way to keep someone from burning the flag is for it to be symbolic of things honorable. The last time flag burning got fairly popular the population at large ended up in a fair consensus that the government had gone astray. I'm sure it would be too much to ask for the current controlling party to learn from history. Unfortunately it seems we're already bound up in repeating it, and real blood is flowing while congress makes symbolic defenses of a symbol.
BTW, Catholic Girl, you can read the bill text here. The bill simply states, `The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.'. So, looks to me like we've got some room to play with in the term "desecration".
tantrum? No, this was a rant. I said that up front! :)
Glad you all made the point that I omitted: flag burning not really a problem. Only people burning our flag now are in countries well outside our jurisdiction--for now.
Outside our jurisdiction?! Quick, we must defend our flag! Pre-emptively invade before they burn our flag! Damn evildoers, get off my lawn!
Don't forget too: this amendment has consistantly passed the House every year it is brought up...and has never come close to passing in the Senate. It's all political grandstanding as far as I'm concerned. I agree, the last time flag-burning was popular, people were against the amendment in large numbers. Even in today's politically charged atmosphere, it would not be smart to pass this amendment, and the Senate knows that.
Actually, last time it was in the Senate was 2000, and it got 63 votes (it needs 67 to pass). With the Republicans picking up seats since then, it could be dangerously close this time. (AP claims it counts 35 against, but that's too close for my taste.)
I just looked at the Senate Res. Feinstein's a co-sponsor?? Ugh. Time to write a letter.
I had to laugh when my roommate's July issue of GQ arrived yesterday with Jessica Simpson on the cover, clad in a skimpy American flag bikini. Does "wrapping Jessica Simpson's breasts and groin with the flag" constitute "desecration"?
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