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Parent Issue
Month
August
Year
1989
Copyright
Creative Commons (Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share-alike)
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Agenda Publications
OCR Text

Flag Amendment Absurd

Is President Bush serious?! An amendment to the Constitution?! Legislation is one thing (still highly controversial in this debate) but an amendment can only be called a gross over-reaction. The issue: the burning of the American flag. Granted, it is greatly offensive to many, but where in the history of the American justice system do we find mere offensiveness cause for a Constitutional Amendment? As long as our actions don't interfere with the rights of others we, in theory at least, should be unencumbered by government control. Not according to Bush though. The very language he uses, calling for protection of a "unique national symbol," is dangerous. A symbol, any symbol is no better than that which it symbolizes (in this case the freedom and democratic principles of our country). If he is to view the symbol as more important than the ideals themselves, then not only is he setting a dangerous precedent but ironically makes a mockery of the flag.

The claim that this action will in no way diminish an individual's right to speech or expression is simply ludicrous. Any government action enjoining the activities of an individual necessarily takes away from his ability to express himself. What must be decided is whether or not this speafic action (flag-burning) jeopardizes another individuals rights or his ability to practice them.

Also insulting to anyone's intelligence is Bush's statement of the importance of his proposed amendment. Come on! Currently faced with the dilemmas of oil spills, China, the homeless, crime, Iran, etc, the topic Bush chooses to harangue about the most is the flag. Most of us, myself included, love this country, our flag and the ideals they encompass, but going to the length of a Constitutional amendment to ban flag-burning is absurd. Either our President is a very nearsighted individual or he is trying to divert our attention from other areas.

Which is it George?

Trever Wayne
DETROIT, MI

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Agenda