Flag Burning Should be Allowed

In the United States of America (who i don't agree with now, but agree with the foundations) every person is granted the right to protest and freedom of expression. though many may consider flag burning unpatriotic many people don't believe what their country is doing. i don't believe in what the US is doing in a multitude of area's and no, i myself do not burn flags, but all people should have the right to express the way that they feel. How would you feel if you were no longer allowed to be in a political party opposing the president because in isn't patriotic?

I'm going to start this off by addressing a few key problems with my opponent's case.

1. "In the United States of America...every person is granted the right to protest and freedom of expression." What my opponent thinks she is referring to here is the First Amendment; however, let's look at the actual text of said amendment and see if it says what she thinks it does: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Does it say people have the right of freedom of expression? No; it gives specific rights, not something that could be so terribly misconstrued. Does it say people have the right to protest? No; it says they can peaceably assemble and petition the government. In other words, it doesn't just blindly give people the right to protest, regardless of the manner; instead, it specifies that any such assemblies must be peaceful. Doing something that desecrates a symbol that has represented our country since its founding is not terribly peaceful.

2. "[M]any people don't believe what their country is doing." So what? The flag doesn't represent what the country is doing; it represents the country itself. My opponent's rationale here is like saying burning a picture of George Bush shows only dislike for what he's currently doing, and not disrespect for the man himself, and his entire history. Under this reasoning, if one burns a picture of George Bush while he's asleep, all it's showing is a dislike for sleep. Clearly, this is flawed thinking.

3. "[A]ll people should have the right to express the way that they feel." What about a person who feels that he should kill as many people as possible? My opponent disregards all consideration for the MEANS of expressing an opinion, so by this same logic that person would have the right to kill people.

4. "How would you feel if you were no longer allowed to be in a political party opposing the president because it isn't patriotic?" Well, I wouldn't feel too good about that. Unfortunately for my opponent, though, this has nothing to do with the topic of debate.

The flag of the United States of America has represented that nation, and all of its ideals, since its founding well over two hundred years ago. Burning something is the ultimate form of desecration. Therefore, to burn the flag is to desecrate the symbol of America and its ideals. This brings me to the contradiction inherent in the action: Burning the flag means spitting on the very principles that make your ability to do so even a remotely debatable topic. There's nothing wrong with criticizing your country, its leaders, or where they're taking the country; in fact, that's vital to the successful continuation of America. Burning the flag, however, does not fit anywhere into that proper dialogue. It should not, therefore, be allowed.