We Will Remain In Disagreement
I found this old email reply from Dianne Feinstein after I wrote her to express my displeasure with her decision to support the flag desecration amendment. I think it is a ridiculous waste of time when so many other things are pressing. It puts us in the ranks of our so-called enemies, Iran and Cuba, who also ban free speech. This is what she said:
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 strongly believe that the American flag holds a unique position in our society as the most important and universally recognized symbol that unites us as a nation. The flag -- as a symbol of our nationhood -- can and should be respected and protected from attack. Beyond my personal convictions, many Californians have told me of their desire for such protection for our flag. Indeed, California had a flag protection statute from 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
my state @ 7:47 AM :: Permalink
2 Comments
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2 Comments:
Dear Miss Feinstein,
As A supporter of you at the polls I would ask that you deeply reconcider your view on flag burning.As A us citizen I have the right too show my displeasure of the pollicys the goverment thats suppose too reppresent me in any form I choose.If I decide too burn A flag that should be my choosing not the goverments.The flag belongs too me and every other citizen.I have served my time in the army.It will not only cover my casket but will even be used as form protest, how can the goverment so easely throw the constitution too the wind? I dont understand.I feel that the people should decide not congress put it too A vote by the people for the people.This is not just the choice of our elected offials.how dare they presume so.I feel that a lot of the governing body has lost touch with the people that there suppose to repprecent.Please Miss dont support this bill.I have never wrote a letter too any one in goverment before and had to about this.Please excuse my spelling and take care of all of us please.
Congress is now debating a resolution to amend the Constitution prohibiting desecration of our flag. The House of Representatives has just approved it and the motion now goes before the Senate, which is expected to approve it by a narrow margin.
Good.
I am wholeheartedly in favor of a Constitutional amendment banning desecration of the great Stars 'n Stripes. Before presenting the motion to the States for ratification, the new amendment should be strongly worded so that the flag receives its proper respect and must, without reservation, include the following provisions:
1) The right to display The Flag freely shall be limited to the federal government.
2) Display of The Flag shall be restricted to federal land and federal buildings.
3) Possession of The Flag by persons other than those within the federal government or in the direct employ of the federal government shall be strictly prohibited.
4) Sales and distribution of The Flag, its image, or any facsimile thereof shall be solely the responsibility of the federal government. Commercial or non-commercial sales and/or distribution of The Flag, its image, or any facsimile thereof by any private or state institution, company, entity, or individual shall be strictly prohibited.
5) Display and usage of The Flag, its image, or any facsimile thereof for any occasion and/or use shall be strictly prohibited except as stated in number 1) above.
6) The Flag shall be referred to only as "The Flag of the United States of America". Any other reference to The Flag (including well-known designations such as "Old Glory", "Stars 'n Stripes", "Bars and Stars", et. al) shall be strictly prohibited.
7) Oral reference to The Flag by persons or institutions outside the federal government shall be limited to normal conversation, hereby defined as non-amplified and non-disseminated conversation between no more than three (3) persons at any one time. Oral reference to The Flag shall not exceed more than two (2) references per hour per gathering as prescribed by number 6) above.
8) Oral and written references to The Flag in recorded and broadcast media, whether digital, analog, or by other freely disseminated means, shall be strictly prohibited.
9) The Flag shall not be deified, venerated, exalted, or used to further idolatry. This applies to any individual, group, commercial/non commercial enterprise, organization, gathering, media, or any other entity outside the federal government.
10) Any display, use, sale, or expression regarding The Flag not expressly authorized by this document shall be strictly prohibited.
This should just about do it. No more tacky lawn displays, stupid lapel pins, inane pledges, and cheap TV graphics. No more flag-waving media pundits, infuriating bumper stickers, and ugly coffee cups (Made in China). No more wasted time before ball games. In short, no more disrespect to the sacred symbol of our beloved Homeland.
But until such time that these protections to The Flag are fully in place, I will do with the flag pretty much damn well as I please. Whether its wrapping myself in it or using it to train puppies, it's my flag as much as yours.
As it always should be.
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