Flag Burning

             Fifty one white stars, and thirteen red and white stripes should not be anywhere near the line of fire. The legalization of flag burning should not be prohibited in our country. Flag burning is absolutely not a valid form of political expression under the first amendment, because it does not allow for the desecration of sacred objects. The second argument against flag burning is that there are many other ways for someone to express their dislike for the American democratic system than to burn one of its most sacred objects. Lastly, and most importantly, flag burning is an act that could possibly cause a large amount of violence if done in a public arena.
             The first amendment does provide protection to demonstrators wishing to voice their political opinions vocally and symbolically, but the amendment does not allow for the desecration of sacred objects such as flags, cemeteries, and public monuments. Though the Supreme Court, in the case of Gregory Johnson (1989), ruled that it was in fact constitutional to allow people to burn the flag, the evidence against this ruling is overwhelming. The law defined desecration as "physical mistreatment of such objects in a way which the accused knows will offend one or more persons likely to observe or discover the act." When Gregory Johnson or any other protestor's burn flags they clearly intend to make a public display and offend onlookers. The Texas law created to protect "sacred objects" clearly states that it is illegal to desecrate anything that could cause public dismay. In Gregory Johnson's trial several witnesses testified that they were deeply offended by Johnson's act. This argument alone makes flag burning illegal. The Texas law in effect when Gregory Johnson burned an American flag in protest of the American political system clearly states that it is illegal to desecrate such objects. Gregory Johnson should
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Flag Burning. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 04:16, March 19, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/76847.html