In something that’s more-or-less blindsided me, the House debated and passed a Constitutional amendment today to outlaw flag burning (cite). This is going to go onto the Senate, and it’s probably going to pass there. I am really opposed to this movement, even though I appreciate the sentiment.

Burning a flag boils my blood. As a Boy Scout and someone who has made repeated and very solemn oaths of loyalty to this company, the flag is a major issue for me. You don’t fly that thing in the dark, you don’t leave it to become battered, you don’t drag it on the floor, you don’t wear it on clothing. To burn it is the most fundamental statement of disdain for the ideals that America is based on.

This is precisely why it needs to be protected: flag-burning is anti-patriotic and unpopular speech, and that is precisely the kind of speech that needs to be protected. In burning a flag, no crime is really being committed, despite the horrible social statement being made, and so this amendment is needed to justify the thought crime. Let’s be honest: this amendment isn’t about burning a piece of cloth, but about expressing discontent with the American system. There’s no other way to make sense of it that validates its inclusion as a part of our Constitution. However, the proponents can’t come out and say that, because people would be horrified — but taking it out at the edges is just fine.

I’m disgusted with this amendment, and it will be a disgraceful part of our Constitution when it gets passed: I’m ashamed of my politicians again.

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