General Discussion

TheWraith

(24,331 posts) Tue Jan 31, 2012, 08:22 PM Jan 2012

Right or wrong aside, burning a flag is a TERRIBLE way to protest. [View all]

It is a guaranteed way to completely blow away any chance of anyone taking you seriously, and to alienate the overwhelming majority of Americans. Americans who have by and large spent their lives admiring and supporting the things they see the flag standing for, including community identity, national service, a shared set of ideals, and the sacrifices made by veterans.

Whether you want to argue that it's right or wrong, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of Americans see burning a flag as an expression of someone rejecting and demeaning those things, regardless of what the people staging the burning actually think.

Flag burning accomplishes absolutely nothing except alienating anyone not already on your side.

57 replies

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Right or wrong aside, burning a flag is a TERRIBLE way to protest. [View all] TheWraith Jan 2012 OP

freedom of speech and action is soooooo unamerican nt msongs Jan 2012 #1

I think the point is that you are also free to paint yourself purple and run around renie408 Jan 2012 #3

You missed the OP's point completely bluestateguy Jan 2012 #11

You can tattoo a penis on your forehead too jberryhill Jan 2012 #16

Wooosh...nt SidDithers Jan 2012 #23

Um, were any of the people here Union Scribe Jan 2012 #2

Lol, yes, it's hilarious. nt EFerrari Jan 2012 #6

Why does it have to be all or nothing? renie408 Jan 2012 #7

The reason is the reaction from OWS... JSnuffy Jan 2012 #22

Baloney. I don't see supporters turning. EFerrari Feb 2012 #39

damn, again I must give you an A++ 2pooped2pop Jan 2012 #13

THANK YOU!! Cali_Democrat Jan 2012 #15

There is a HUGE difference between those not motivated enough to go to political boards... joeglow3 Feb 2012 #31

Which would make burning the flag a powerful tool to use AGAINST OWS justiceischeap Jan 2012 #4

It is not possible for Oakland police to exercise restraint? Generic Brad Feb 2012 #34

My concern with the OPD isn't whether or not they used restraint but justiceischeap Feb 2012 #47

watching a flag being burned bothers me, DesertFlower Jan 2012 #5

Thank you very much for your sincere and deeply felt concern. LeftyMom Jan 2012 #8

Actually - I am deeply moved. emilyg Jan 2012 #14

I have no doubt of that. LeftyMom Jan 2012 #19

Perhaps you should be emilyg Jan 2012 #30

Fuck yeah. joeglow3 Feb 2012 #32

I too would like to thank the OP for his concern. pa28 Feb 2012 #35

In the words of Congresswoman Regina Bookman (D-RI) DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2012 #9

It accomplishes nothing positive and only makes people angry at them bluestateguy Jan 2012 #10

Let it go, Wraith 2pooped2pop Jan 2012 #12

I only see the flag as a piece of cloth. pennylane100 Jan 2012 #17

I kind of doubt you actually do onenote Jan 2012 #18

well it would have been just as meaningless. pennylane100 Jan 2012 #21

It's funny how those who proclaim 'freedom of speech'... randome Jan 2012 #20

Oh my... nadinbrzezinski Jan 2012 #24

Whooooosh! tabasco Jan 2012 #26

and it happens nadinbrzezinski Jan 2012 #27

Yes, I am correct. tabasco Jan 2012 #28

But I notice you do not speak about cops nadinbrzezinski Jan 2012 #29

Bullshit. There are plenty of people offended by flag burning who are NOT clutching pearls. phleshdef Feb 2012 #37

I guess we should also shun the USSC nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #38

Klan rallies are also protected speech. Westboro funeral protesting is protected speech. phleshdef Feb 2012 #48

Yes, that this outrage nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #49

I'm not disagreeing with the notion that there are double standards here. phleshdef Feb 2012 #50

And as far as that is concerned nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #51

And, again thats where you are mistaken. phleshdef Feb 2012 #53

Well it ran in local news nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #57

I support anyone's right to burn the flag deutsey Jan 2012 #25

I think less extreme tactics are hurting them too Yo_Mama Feb 2012 #33

Of course it was just a few! It did not take 400+ people - nor all the marchers - to burn 1 flag slay Feb 2012 #46

K & R rollin74 Feb 2012 #36

what's with flag fetishism/fixation, i'm genuinely puzzled... inna Feb 2012 #40

lol "provocateurs" joshcryer Feb 2012 #42

oops, did i totally misspell? it didn't look right, but... i was too lazy to bother to check inna Feb 2012 #43

Would you be opposed to burning the black flag? joshcryer Feb 2012 #41

Horrible way to stage a PR stunt Rex Feb 2012 #44

I think it's a GREAT way to protest... slay Feb 2012 #45

I imagine it is rather easier to allow public perception, branding and popularity... LanternWaste Feb 2012 #52

except alienating anyone not already on your side MNBrewer Feb 2012 #54

Yep! Plus it's just lazy. redqueen Feb 2012 #55

People freaking out about burning flags cracks me up. Jennicut Feb 2012 #56