Flag Burning

It's good news that the Senate, by one vote, failed to pass a Constitutional amendment to ban the desecration of the flag.

I have never burned a flag, and I have no desire to, but it is within the right of any American to do so if they wish. It is certainly an act of free speech, and unlike what Arlen Specter says, it is not "socially worthless." I can't think of any more pointed statement that one is dissatisfied with one's country than burning the flag.

Furthermore, there is no rash of flag burning in this country, and what if there were? Would this harm the nation? It is not on a par with crying "fire" in a crowded theater, as it is not detrimental to the safety of anyone. The flag, after all, is merely a symbol, a piece of cloth or paper that represents an idea. It is not the idea itself, or the nation itself.

Our constitution is remarkable for its simplicity and brevity, and we don't need grandstanding politicians to soil it with election-year chest-thumping. As with the gay marriage amendment debate, this is a Republican ploy to make Democrats make their views known, so come election time they can point and say, "This is the party that wants gays to marry and to burn the flag." It's craven, but it probably works. Shame on them all.