Flag burning is our free speech

Once again, Congress has found itself knee-deep in flag burning legislation. \nThis bill has gone to the House at least four other times and has once again managed its way back and is the basis for many conversation. \nThe Associated Press said it best: "Symbols are everything in politics." The symbol of freedom, the symbol of independence, the symbol of America. The ability to protest is what makes this country so great and taking away any of that right takes away exactly what it is that Americans love about their country -- their right to free speech.\nWe feel it's wrong to amend the constitution to outlaw the burning of an American flag. If this law is passed, more and more American flags will be desecrated in response to the law that prohibits Americans from this form of protest. It seems ironic, but this would instigate Americans to stand up for their right to free speech, which is outlined in our Constitution. And they'll stand up when it's too late and the law is already enacted. \nThe majority of flag burning occurs not on American soil, but in other countries. This law wouldn't affect the majority of flag burning that takes place. In reality, it's not even a remedy to the issue. Instead, it imposes on our rights as citizens of the United States of America. When this right is taken away, how can we check our government? \nThe proposed amendment doesn't clearly outline what type of flag burning would be outlawed. This would leave it up to courts to determine what respectful burning is versus protesting. And the difference between the two is what the burner was thinking at the time of the act. The result of this would be thought policing. But who would decide the mind-set of the burner and how would they go about doing it? What sort of punishment would someone in violation receive? Would it be more or less serious of a crime than property damage? Could it be construed as an act of potential terrorism? \nThe truth is, this law wouldn't benefit anyone. There are still people who can't afford health care and outsourcing is costing many Americans their jobs, but our government is concerned once again with the flag burning issue. \nKeep in mind the snowball effect this law could have. If flag burning is outlawed, what's next? What other free speech rights would be taken away? Journalistic, artistic or cinematic? \nA free country should have the right to the free speech it's entitled to. It seems that taking away a right is reducing the freedoms Americans expect. Though we do value the American flag as a symbol of freedom and opportunity, we feel outlawing a form of free speech would infringe upon those values that it represents. We think that the ability to dissent, no matter the forum, is what being patriotic is all about.