The American Flag And Its Growing Controversy free essay sample

Essay, Research Paper The American Flag and its Turning Controversy Measure 1: Detailss The American flag, to many, is the symbol of life and autonomy. Freedom from subjugation and the ability to run one # 8217 ; s ain life with minimum authorities intercession is what our state fought for all those old ages ago. The twenty-four hours after the SpanishAmerican War was declared, schools mandated the worship of the flag ( Kaminer ) . So, when the issue of firing our great flag arises, everyone should be against it, right? Well, non precisely. The first amendment of the Constitution states that American citizens have the right to show themselves through free address. Basically, firing the American flag is speech without duologue. Therefore, harmonizing to the Constitution, flag profanation is legal. However, flag protectionists are non traveling to give up that easy. The chief contention environing this issue is whether an amendment prohibiting flag firing would conflict on our first amendment rights. We will write a custom essay sample on The American Flag And Its Growing Controversy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that flag profanation was protected under our first amendment rights. In 1995, a constitutional amendment that would hold given Congress the power to censor flag profanation was introduced to the Senate and the House of Representatives ( Kaminer ) . The amendment passed through the House but failed in the Senate by a mere three ballots. In February 1997, a similar amendment was once more introduced to the Senate and the House Sell 2 Of Representatives ( Kaminer ) . It besides failed, but it does demo the turning concern about the issue of flag combustion. Defenders of the flag argue that firing an American flag is like ptyalizing in the face of America and its democracy. On the other manus, flag burners argue that under America # 8217 ; s democracy, they were given the right to show themselves freely. Obviously, this issue may neer be settled with a positive result. Some statements that flag burners have raised in their ain defence include such things as holding a flag bumper spine on a auto. They believe that if they can non fire a flag because it is considered profanation, so an old, faded bumper spine should be considered profanation every bit good ( Apel ) . This brings up a valid point. Who decides where the line should be drawn between profanation and nationalism? Measure 2: Duties, Ideals, and Consequences As this issue continues to be brought up in our authorities, the duties for everyone involved will go on to lift. Congress has the most of import duty of all. They are non merely obligated to decide the issue, but they are besides obligated to American citizens in a manner that is supposed to be indifferent. On the other manus, citizens are besides obligated to understand and esteem the authorities # 8217 ; s determination. Not everyone is traveling to be happy no affair what determination is made, so we as a society are obligated to esteem each other # 8217 ; s positions and ethical motives. Ideals play a really of import function in the issue of flag profanation. Ideals serve as the footing for actions. Obviously, societal duty is an ideal that needs to come up when an issue is covering with the Constitution. If an amendment is of all time added to the Sell 3 Fundamental law doing profanation of the flag illegal, the populace has to be ready to cover with it, and follow it. Our authorities, nevertheless, needs to pattern the ideal of equity and unity when such an issue is brought up. They need to listen to all sides and make up ones mind which class of action will lend to the greater good of the state. After this issue is eventually settled, it will be interesting to larn what effects are adopted for flag combustion ( sing it becomes illegal ) . It will besides be interesting to happen out where the line would be drawn for flag profanation. Who knows? I might be arrested for have oning my flag swimming short pantss to the beach. Again, our authorities has to be prepared to endorse up their determination, and that includes such effects as covering with protestors. Measure 3: Possible Courses of Action Coming to a determination on this issue is traveling to take clip. There will be a group, or groups that will experience like they have been cheated. However, they need to recognize that the authorities is taking what they feel is the best possible class for flag profanation. One possibility is the transition of certain statute law that will see all flag profanation illegal. If that does happen, many alterations are traveling to hold to take topographic point. Flag firing web sites such as the 1s that I used for this paper would be eliminated. The authorities will hold the duty of pulling a line on the issue. They would hold to make up ones mind if they are traveling to censor merely flag combustion, or include less violent Acts of the Apostless of profanation, such as a flag serviette. Those are merely a few of the possibilities that may happen in the hereafter, depending on what judgement is made. Sell 4 Another possibility is to go forth things as they are. Peoples will still buttonhole for a prohibition on flag combustion, but the authorities would non hold to pull lines around the issue. Again, the authorities needs to be just and show unity with the determination. A 3rd class of action could be a prohibition on flag combustion for the intent of protest against America. This would still do flag firing legal, but non as a malicious act towards the state. So, the people who burn flags as a manner of disposing of them because they are old and tattered would still be protected under the first amendment. This class of action would let all other signifiers of profanation to be legal. Thingss such as swimming short pantss, neckties, serviettes, bumper spines, ECT. would go on to be legal. Whatever comes of this issue, our societal duty demands to be the chief ideal that becomes known. Measure 4: The Most Ethical Course of Action I believe that the most ethical class of action would be a prohibition on flag combustion as a malicious act towards America. This manner, the people who deserve penalty for profaning the flag would be punished, and the people who believe firing a flag is protected in their first amendment rights could fire a flag. This determination is the most ethical because it is just to American citizens, it shows the unity of our authorities, and it is the lone class of action that meets both sides in the center. I strongly believe that our authorities would hold with my determination. It would non merely set a halt to the combat that takes topographic point over this issue, but it would besides do people feel like they got want they wanted. If a Vietnam veteran wants to fire his Sell 5 old flag that has been hanging outside his house for old ages as agencies of disposal, who is in a place to oppugn his action? He has evidently served our state in the most honest manner, and if firing a flag seems to be a loyal manner to dispose of it for him, so I back that one hundred per centum. I think Americans against flag combustion should see these facts before they decide to censor it indefinitely. I believe that the Supreme Court was fair in make up ones minding that firing a flag is protected under our first amendment rights because it shows how great a democracy America truly is. If the authorities starts taking away some rights, who is to state that they will non take away others. That is another fact Americans need to take to bosom before they decide which class of action is right or incorrect, ethical or immoral.