Flag-Burning and Freedom
The flag of the United States of America is defined in the government legal code as a symbol for the government. It is worn by government officials who enforce government policies and laws. It flies over government buildings. It is therefore entirely reasonable to say that the flag represents the government.
Judging by the vitriolic partisanship of voters and the low voter turnout rates, not to mention Congressional approval ratings, it's safe to say that there is no argument to be made for government representing the general population. Politicians are notorious for their lies, cronyism, deception, and corruption. The military enacts the foreign - and sometimes domestic - policies of these selfsame politicians. Government laws are frequently unjust violations of the very rights governments claim to protect and defend, making the concept of "law enforcement" into a fundamentally immoral profession. Why then should symbols of government be respected?
Does the flag represent certain values, morals, or principles beyond the government, though? True, one can argue that the meaning of any given symbol is subjective, but if that's the argument, how can it be objectively wrong for some people to perceive those symbols as repugnant and treat them with disdain? If the flag represents freedom and individual rights, how are these principles harmed by the exercise of those rights in destroying the symbol? Even if the flag does somehow represent the noble transcendent concept of freedom, each specific physical representation of that flag is a unique piece of physical property, and property rights as a principle of freedom applies.
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Why do so many people treat the flag with religious veneration? It is a piece of cloth with a pattern on it. That is all. Someone burning the flag is no more an assault upon others than is burning any other piece of cloth. Trump tweeted that burning a flag should be considered a crime. Hillary actually proposed a law that would criminalize it. Both of these individuals are corrupt, abusive monsters seeking political power over the lives of others to plunder the productive economy and threaten violence against peaceful people. If the flag can ever represent them or their principles, the only rational response is to burn it. Don't succumb to patriotic idolatry.
Indeed the flag represents the government now, but once long ago the american flag was all of ours, it represented what was then american valies of freedom, love, and servjce for your family and community.
Sadly, we are alive in a time where the american flag represents impending bombing, wore by soldiers with weapons of war, with oppression and sick intent in mind.
Maybe once again the american flag may wave proud outside my home, as of now i cannot fly the flag because of what its come to represent.
Our society needs to take our flag back, but what is the use if our intend is unjust as well? We need to go back in time and all together preach to all ears that all men are created equal and all deserve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
-SYZYGY
When specifically did the flag mean what you say? It has always been a flag of war and government usurpation of authority. Even George Washington was more interested in establishing a colonial aristocracy than in defending liberty for all.
I was being meaningful i suppose, wishing people can unite under a flag or a cause. George washington ordered the massacre of 20+ native american tribes. Hes free mason scum, its beyond me why people love George Washington so much, Thomas Jefferson was the true voice of reason.
I am a native american so i dont consider myself under american law nor as one of its peoples, im just saying americans should rally behind thier flag, they say it means peace and love and strength but ive only got reference from my life and i have seen none of those things personally associated with that flag.
I think that kind of unity is a pipe dream in the first place. People have diverse ideologies and goals, and that's OK provided no one initiates coercive force against others. I'd rather see people worry about principles instead of symbols.
Exactly, i would to. I speak alot about how principles are important. People will never agree, but people must stop the very thought of using force on others. I just joined steemit today, please give me a follow I am an independant journalist and researcher, I intend to have some interesting posts here soon.