Originally Posted by sgtdmski

The story in question here goes to illustrate one point rather clearly. The contention is not whether the old man is a murderer or a terrorist, or even a "bad man" for trying to deny someone their right. It is much deeper. You see, in order for the burning of a flag to be protected speech, there must exist a presupposition that the flag symbolizes something to someone. In the case of those who wish to burn it, it symbolizes something in which they dislike or disagree.

For the old man in this story the flag symbolized something else. To him and those he talked about, it symbolized something in which they were willing to put their lives on the line for, and in some instance even die. It symbolized something greater, meaning much more to them.

As a soldier, and now as a veteran I still believe that the flag is a living symbol. One that represents what is great about this country and what can still be great. It was under that flag that I served. That is why many serve today and in the past. They have been willing to die for what that flag represents. And it is under that flag that those who have died have been laid to rest.

The old man asked a very important question, are you ready to die for what you believe? Obviously those in the crowd weren't. I guess it goes to show the power of one's conviction. Which is still true today, because there are some many brave young men and women who have died and who are willing to die for that flag still today. We will put ourselves in harms way to defend the rights of others, unfortunately, in that crowd that day only one existed who was a courageous.

The old man challenged the symbol of the crowd that day. And aked just one to follow his lead, put your life on the line for what that flag symbolizes to you, do you have the courage to die for what you believe. That is the difference between those who wish to protect the flag from desecration, and those who wish to desecrate it.

Jaxian you claim that this is about denying freedom, that those of us who wish to see an amendment wish to deny others their freedom. That may be true. But freedoms are denied all the time...the freedom to murder, to rape or even to steal. Oh yes but those crime inflict harm to others that will be your argument. But it would seem that the burning of a flag inflicts harm to those who believe in it greatness, so again why should we allow this freedom???

The one thing that is remarkable about those who burn the flag, is that they always do so while surrounded by those who agree with them. I guess this too goes to show the power of their convictions as well. Even John Scalzi pointed out, that no one ever does try to burn one in a VFW parking lot. Just once I would like to see someone have the power of their convictions to travel to Fort Bragg and burn the flag on post, but then again that would take courage, something that those who wish to burn the flag always seem to be lacking.

dmk