The Instigator
dthmstr254
Pro (for)
dthmstr254
Losing
3 Points
The Contender
Daddy_Warbux
Con (against)
Daddy_Warbux
Winning
18 Points

Proper flag retirement procedures should be legal

Do you like this debate?NoYes+0
Add this debate to Google Add this debate to Delicious Add this debate to FaceBook Add this debate to Digg  
Vote Here
Pro Tied Con
Who did you agree with before the debate?
Who did you agree with after the debate?
Who had better conduct?
Who had better spelling and grammar?
Who made more convincing arguments?
Who used the most reliable sources?
Reasons for your voting decision
1,000 Characters Remaining
The voting period for this debate does not end.
Voting Style: Open Point System: 7 Point
Started: 3/14/2008 Category: Society
Updated: 14 years ago Status: Voting Period
Viewed: 1,776 times Debate No: 3238
Debate Rounds (3)
Comments (2)
Votes (7)

 

dthmstr254

Pro

I know that on my profile I say flag burning should be illegal, so I think I must clarify my position on this subject.

I was raised in the knowledge of the proper way to retire an aging flag (whether faded, ripped, or otherwise damaged). The process was done by first cutting each stripe from the flag, from bottom to top, and burning the stripes, stating which of the 13 colonies it represented, then taking the field of blue and burning it as well. It was a tradition started by our forefathers because, outside of a warzone, they believed that the flag we boasted was to show that our country would not fade away and that unity would continue. Today, I sit in a library that is desperately in need of a new flag, but since flag burning has been criminalized in all forms, the retirement of a flag has also been criminalized. We need to re-legalize the prober retirement of the American flag and replace the damaged or worn flags seen in most public government facilities with new flags that show that we are still proud to be Americans.
Report this Argument
Daddy_Warbux

Con

In Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court case of 1989, invalidated laws against flag burning in 48 of 50 states. Despite proposals since then for a flag burning ammendment, it has never been passed in the Senate. Therefore "but since flag burning has been criminalized in all forms" is an untrue statement. Texas v. Johnson protected flag burning, establishing that it is free speech.
http://en.wikipedia.org...

"After publicly burning an American flag as a means of political protest, Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted of desecrating a flag in violation of Texas law. This case presents the question whether his conviction is consistent with the First Amendment. We hold that it is not." -Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.
http://www.bc.edu...

I understand that you are not saying that the flag should be burned in protest. But if you choose to say "our country would not fade away" by burning the flag, you are free to do so.

Thank you.
Report this Argument
 Debate Round No. 1
dthmstr254

Pro

dthmstr254 forfeited this round.
Daddy_Warbux

Con

Since my opponent has failed to post the next argument, I will respond to Duconihilum's comment below.

I would do exactly as you said, Duconihilum, but I chose to debate what dthmstr254 had written in his first argument as opposed to the title of the topic. It also seemed as if dthmstr wanted to show that although flag burning is currently illegel, we should make it legal in order to properly retire a flag:

"We need to re-legalize the prober retirement of the American flag," i.e. "first cutting each stripe from the flag, from bottom to top, and burning the stripes, stating which of the 13 colonies it represented, then taking the field of blue and burning it as well"

So, no, I'm not completely sticking to the "Topic of Debate." I consider what's in the "Pro~Round 1" section to be of higher importance.

Thank you.
Report this Argument
 Debate Round No. 2
dthmstr254

Pro

dthmstr254 forfeited this round.
Daddy_Warbux

Con

Proper flag retirement procedures should not be required, but they already are legal. You decide who won.

Thank you.
Report this Argument
 Debate Round No. 3
Post a Comment
2 comments have been posted on this debate. Showing 1 through 2 records.
Posted by DucoNihilum 14 years ago
DucoNihilum
Um, shouldn't con be arguing something along the lines of 'properly' burning the flag should be illegal? I mean so far con blew away pros argument, but right now pro would just have to make the argument that it is respectful and it should remain legal to win the debate, unless con changes his argument dramatically.
Report this Comment
Posted by DeletedUser 14 years ago
DeletedUser
Um... Texas v. Johnson anyone? Never been overturned... flag burning is legal in 48 of the 50 states.
Report this Comment
7 votes have been placed for this debate. Showing 1 through 7 records.
Vote Placed by Krazzy_Player 8 years ago
Krazzy_Player
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:-Vote Checkmark-3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:03 
Vote Placed by josh_42 14 years ago
josh_42
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:-Vote Checkmark-3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:03 
Vote Placed by liberalconservative 14 years ago
liberalconservative
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:Vote Checkmark--3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:30 
Vote Placed by PreacherFred 14 years ago
PreacherFred
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:-Vote Checkmark-3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:03 
Vote Placed by blond_guy 14 years ago
blond_guy
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:-Vote Checkmark-3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:03 
Vote Placed by brittwaller 14 years ago
brittwaller
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:-Vote Checkmark-3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:03 
Vote Placed by Daddy_Warbux 14 years ago
Daddy_Warbux
dthmstr254Daddy_WarbuxTied
Agreed with before the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Agreed with after the debate:--Vote Checkmark0 points
Who had better conduct:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Had better spelling and grammar:--Vote Checkmark1 point
Made more convincing arguments:-Vote Checkmark-3 points
Used the most reliable sources:--Vote Checkmark2 points
Total points awarded:03 

By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.