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Flag Desecration. By Will Sebolt. Definition. To desecrate means to divest of sacred or hallowed character. . Why are Flags Important. National symbol Represent your country Shows your patriotism Respect . Desecration of Flags. Burned Stepped on Ripped Dragged through dirt
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Flag Desecration By Will Sebolt
Definition • To desecrate means to divest of sacred or hallowed character.
Why are Flags Important • National symbol • Represent your country • Shows your patriotism • Respect
Desecration of Flags • Burned • Stepped on • Ripped • Dragged through dirt • Waved upside down
Why Desecrate a Flag? • Expressing speech • Political views (usually concerning with foreign countries) • Protest an issue • Distance yourself from your country • Insult another county
Laws in America • A misdemeanor in every state except Wyoming • Wyoming is the only state that says it’s a felony • First flag protection act was passed in 1968 by Congress because of Vietnam protests
Texas v. Johnson • Texas vs. Johnson 1989 • Decision by the supreme court of the U.S. overturned states’ laws on flag desecration
Viewpoint 1 (pro) • Protected under article 1 from the Constitution • Speech should not be limited • We have the right to protest • Part of the democratic process • People have fought in wars so that we have the freedom to express opinion
Viewpoint 2 (con) • The flag is a symbol • Sacred • Not a part of speech • Represents people who have died in wars and so by burning it you are also desecrating war heroes • Speech should be limited • Endangers public safety
Reasons for overturning states’ laws • Speech is protected under 1st amendment under the Constitution • No law to support it
Flag Desecration Amendment • Congress tried to make a flag burning amendment in 2006 • it failed by one vote • “Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States” • Polls show that the majority of the American people are opposed to a flag burning amendment
Bibliography • Viewpoint Arguments: http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=175 • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_desecrationhttp://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1100540&term=flag+desecration Picture titled as: "Should the Constitution Criminalize Flag Desecration?"- by Jeremy Eaglehttp://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1100540&term=flag+desecration Picture of Rick Monday giving a speech about flag desecration. - by Mark Wilsonhttp://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1100540&term=flag+desecration Picture titled as: The Flag-Burning Amendment and Congressional Elections - by Jeremy Eaglehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Desecration_Amendment