Quote:
Some people seem to think free speech is something you allow only when it's convenient.


Are you one of these people? I so want to disagree with your statement. What does burning the flag say?

It says that you either disrespect the flag (perhaps you don't like the flag - perhaps you think it should be a different design or in different colours?) - or, more likely, that you disrespect the thing (normally: country) that the flag represents.

If you choose to burn the Union Flag in the UK or the Stars and Stripes in the US - well, what are you doing in that country in the first place? Democracy is (currently) a national affair so to be a visitor, a guest, and to protest in this way is pretty meaningless and why should your host tolerate your behaviour? As a citizen, protest is valid when the target is the govenment, parliament or any other group - but the nation? You want to protest about the nation? Well that is fine. Protest by leaving. The exits are here, here, here, here, here, here, & here!

Burning flags isn't speech - you aren't writing, filming or talking about it. Burning flags is an act. Should free speech be protected? Sure. Should societies be tolerant? Yes. Should those that disrespect that society be tolerated? No.


Edited by mdavey (29/09/2004 20:30)