Since 1989 when the Supreme Court ruled that desecrating the flag was protected under the 1st amendment there has been a controversy over one of our country's most recognized symbols. To this day the house and senate have been trying to pass an amendment that would allow for laws making the desecration of the flag illegal. These attempts to limit our freedom of speech would not be in the best interest of the country. Although there are many voices who would say desecration of the flag hurts America. The need to preserve our fundamental freedoms outweighs the need to censure unpopular protests.
             Before Gregory Johnson had been convicted for burning a flag in Texas there were laws in place in most of the fifty states that had made deflation of the flag illegal. But this set the way for an appeal that would overturn all state laws involving desecration of the flag. After the ruling, no arrest for desecration of the flag would ever stand in court. Though I respect the flag and have no urge to dishonor it the act of others burning, trampling, or whatever else they could do to it has never hurt me in any way. But still, there are many politicians who wish to amend the constitution and place the flag above free speech. But there are some who are wise enough to disagree such as Senator Feingold "after 200 years of the most unparalleled liberty in human history, to limit the Bill of Rights in the name of patriotism is inherently flawed. And I think it is really, ironically very tragic" ( S18256). This amendment has been proposed and passed several times in the house. But luckily this amendment has not yet been passed in the senate with it being voted down last in 2000.
             One of the scariest parts of the amendment is the vague wording used. How do you define the word flag? Would this be an old navy t-shirt, a U.S.A. flag doormat, or maybe a red white, and blue candle? Secondly, how do you define the word desecration? Would it be leaving yo...