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rotor wrote:I assume we are relating to the flag burning at the Massachusetts college (Hampshire College) and the response of the administration to not fly the flag anymore. Although I believe that flag burning is an expression of free speech I do not agree that the college administrator should have the right to prohibit flying the American flag. The school and students receive a significant amount of federal money in the way of grants and student aid. Although the protestors have the right to burn the flag they don't have the right to receive federal financing. I did not see that as an enumerated constitutional right. Trump Tweets a bunch of silly statements and these I believe are his personal feelings but things that are not going to become law. Even Justice Scalia thought flag burning was abhorrent but legal. Now I wouldn't mind seeing someone burning the Mexican flag at one of those rallies where illegals show up parading the flag of the country they escaped from.

I believe that the thugs at Hampshire (I was thinking Amherst for some reason) burned an American flag that belonged to the college, so their actions are illegal, regardless. I thought this discussion was more on the question of whether it should be legal to burn an American flag that you personally own.

TreyHouston wrote:Trump should REALLY STAY OFF TWITTER AND SOCIAL MEDIA. his accounts should be given to a social media rep. 100% agree

on a side note I have found that it is illegal to burn other things such as a cross.... that's not protected speech....

I agree on Trump's Twitter use. He would be much better off delegating that communication medium to someone on his staff. He could literally just pick anyone at random, and they would do a better job with that.

I also do not think that burning crosses should be illegal (as long as you don't violate ordinances on setting fires in general). The thing is that just about any controversial statement is "hate speech" to someone out there. Having fought for our rights, I have a deep respect for each and every one of them. But I have zero respect for anyone's need to have the government protect them from being offended by what someone might do or say.

That is not to say that we should not suffer consequences for our actions. Personally, I think Mr Kaepernick (sp?) is being hateful to me and many, many, others when he takes a knee during our national anthem. I still think he has the right to do it. The government should not imprison him, or fine him, for what he is doing. But that does not mean that his employer should not suspend or fine him, or even terminate his employment. I really wish they would do exactly that.

TreyHouston wrote:

steveincowtown wrote:I hate it but it should be legal. Most cities have laws against setting un contained fires though, and this is what people should be charged with.

I like that, but you know it wouldn't stick! lol

This is a problem that I have with the new generation of protestors. If you want to protest, fine. But if your protest involves the commission of unrelated crimes, like blocking traffic, destruction of property that is not yours, littering, verbal / physical assault, or starting fires in the street, then you should be punished for those crimes. To me, there is no conflict here. I have a right to stand in the public square telling the world my thoughts on whatever is going on. But that does not give me the right to break any laws.

Yes it should be legal. And if your act provokes someone into punching you in the face, that person should not be charged.