Flags: Symoblic or Sacred?

Earlier this afternoon the Senate held a vote on whether or not to make the act of burning the American flag unconsititutional. The bill was defeated by a single vote.

First off, they're all steamed up about this as if there's nothing better to be worried about. *points to rest of blog* I rest my case. It's stupid to be fighting about it, especially now. Those who voted against the amendment say that it violates the Rights to Freedom of Speech and Expression. I have to agree with this. They might as well say we can't wear clothing that shows the flags of other countries. Making flag burning a Consitutional offense would send a message of superiority, intolerance, and, in some ways, censorship. But it also reveals fear. Fear that America is losing its standing. Fear that it is growing weak. If there's one thing that those who subscribe to the down-homesy real-man tough-guy image hate, it's even the suggestion of appearing weak. Making it illegal to desecrate the flag is the act of those who feel they have to react to every teensy little threat, because they actually can't handle the big ones.

The ironic thing is, people desecrate the "flag" every day. The motif is on t-shirts, table cloths, bunting, napkins. To quote an article written by Jian Ghomeshi just after the 9-11 attacks, entitled A Dove in the Land of the Eagle, "Our lunch is served on, well, the flag -- in the form of paper placemats. I remember the debate over the legality of burning the flag in the United States. It's not appropriate to burn it, but apparently it's okay to spill gravy on it and throw it out when a customer leaves." I have to say, the irony of this has meaning today as well. It's fine to use the flag to wipe up barbeque sauce or slide into home in a muddy field on, but it's not okay to burn it.

I'm confused.