The Symbol Vs. The Freedom It Represents

My problem with the proposed ammendment to the constitution to ban the desecration of the flag is that California Senator, Diane Feinstein, is one of the sponsors. I agree that we definintely have more pressing issues.

"One would think members of Congress might have more pressing things to do -- the war in Iraq, for instance, could stand the government's undivided attention -- but the Senate is set once again to take up an amendment to the Constitution that would ban the desecration of the U.S. flag. The last time this legislation went to the Senate, it received 63 votes, four short of the 67 it needed to pass on to the states for approval. But there are more Republicans in the Senate this time around, and Orrin Hatch is gunning for a fight. "

I informed Senator Feinstein of my views and this is what she said in reply:

Thank you for writing to express your opposition to a constitutional amendment prohibiting the physical desecration of the American flag. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

Unfortunately, we will have to disagree about this issue. I srongly believe that the American flag holds a unique position in our ociety as the most important and universally recognized symbol that nites us as a nation. The flag -- as a symbol of our nationhood -- can nd should be respected and protected from attack. Beyond my personal onvictions, many Californians have told me of their desire for such rotection for our flag. Indeed, California had a flag protection statute rom 1929 until 1989, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the flag protection statutes of 47 states and the Federal government.

The authority for a nation to protect its central symbol of unity was considered constitutional for two centuries. It was only a decade ago that a narrow majority of the U.S. Supreme Court said otherwise. At this point, it seems clear that the only way to protect the American flag is to amend the Constitution to authorize Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag. In the 108th Congress I was an original cosponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 4 (S. J. Res. 4) which would have done just that. I will continue to pursue the topic in the 109th Congress.

Please know that I value your opinion, but on this issue I am afraid we will remain in disagreement. However, I greatly appreciate your input and hope that you will continue to share your views with me. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call my Washington, DC staff at (202) 224-3841.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

http://feinstein.senate.gov

Well ... whatever! I'll remember this come election time. I'm sure I can find a candidate that has more to worry about than someone burning a flag that they purchased with their own thin dimes. I am sure that, as the flag flies today, someone would be more concerned that we have a President who used the symbol of the flag and our freedom to manipulate our nation into attacking a sovereign country without provocation. I'd rather see efforts put towards exposing the lies of this administration and finding away to bring our surviving troops home in an expiditious fashion.

As a former Girl Scout who participated in many flag ceremony who knows how to raise the flag as well as how to properly fold it, I think I know, quite well, the importance of the symbol. To me it represents freedom. But the item itself is just that - an item.