Posted: 6/29/05
Final Draft - by Cliff Buchan
Where to draw the line on rules protecting the flag?
So you tell me you support a constitutional amendment to ban the burning of the U.S. flag?
The movement for such a constitutional amendment is swirling through the halls of the U.S. Congress again this summer. It always reaches a peak around Flag Day (June 14) and the Fourth of July.
With the country at war in foreign lands it is easy to stand up in support. When we see veterans from World War II in the local parade and vets from the Gulf Wars marching proudly down our streets, we have a natural sense of pride in the flag that stands for so much. It is all about protecting the flag from desecration.
It should be easy to say we support such an amendment to our most sacred of national documents.
But there is more to the argument than the emotional ties we have to Old Glory. Much more, really.
Protecting the flag from desecration is one thing, but to what extent? And how do you enforce any new regulations?
The Flag Code was adopted by Congress in 1942 and lists the guidelines about how the flag is to be treated with respect. Are we to observe some, all or none of the guidelines? The code, printed here, is provided by The American Legion:
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speakerís desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Who can argue that these guidelines are followed today? Some are routinely ignored.
Flag burning for purposes of political statement or protext is the act that angers many. Those who do it, say the right is protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution that assures free speech. For many of those who fought in our wars or served their country, it is a different story.
We are reminded of both points of view at this our most precious holiday ó Independence Day. Wars, including the war for independence, have been fought to protect all the rights and freedoms we have living in this great country.
How much regulation do we really want?
Short of American Legion and VFW members who conduct dignified ceremonies to burn tattered and old flags, I canít say I know anyone who wants to burn the flag.
If such an amendment were to be passed by the U.S. Congress and supported by the 50 states, just what would be regulated? Where do you draw the line on what is proper?
Just take a look around. The flag is ever present today and not just on the flag poles at schools, government buildings and at homes.
The flag can be found on occasion in newspaper advertising. It is found on vehicle bumper stickers and on highway billboards. This paper uses Old Glory as part of our flag on Page 1. We have done so since 9/11 as a statement of patriotism.
What about clothing?
There is an almost endless stream of clothing that carries the flag in some form or fashion. Check the crowd around you on the parade route next Monday.
How many of us have that favorite T-shirt that sports the U.S. flag. The same goes for socks, caps and jeans.
There is no doubt a solid dose of commercialism in many of these instances. Companies will make what people buy and people are still buying the items, even those made in China and the like. They are not even made in America.
But is it flag desecration? In a vast majority of the cases, no.
But again, where do you draw the line?
Perhaps one solution is to take a 2005 look at the Flag Code and make the modifications that best fit society today. Subtle changes may be in order to reinforce the respect and treatment that the flag deserves as an important symbol in our life while reflecting other proper uses of the flag as a symbol.
The emotional push for a flag-burning amendment may well be a step too far and one that eliminates one of the freedoms that so many have fought and died for in past and current wars.
With such an amendment on the books, what is next? The flag police?
At this Fourth of July we need to think about independence and the freedoms we have in this country. Stripping away even one of the freedoms goes against the core of why so many have served their country.
Forest Lake Times
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