They're so transparent! The flag-burning amendment is the next "Schiavo".

[Brotherjohn]

Things are really getting bad for Bush. His approval is tanking, as are Iraq and the economy.

Time to bring up a new "hot button" issue! And the flag-burning issue is an old reliable one they always have waiting in the wings.

Now everyone will be discussing THIS instead of Iraq, DSM, the economy, etc. etc. etc. for a few weeks at least.

They're so F*&#-ing transparent!

I wish every single Democrat in the House and the Senate would have the balls to vote down this pile of trash and call them on it. But NO. Can't be seen as "unpatriotic" now, can we?

[shoelace414]

1. and the house and senate will pass it then..

it goes to all fifty states.. so it'll be around for seven years.. or until it's passed.

[libertypirate]

2. Looks like they are going down in flames...

They deserve nothing less then self inflicted implosion.

[PsycheCC]

3. So Right!

I had the same thought.

[BattyDem]

4. They care more about a piece of cloth ...

than the rights and freedom it represents. :grr:

[pnutchuck]

5. Passed 286-130 on CSPAN about an hour ago

well the vote tally went up while they were discussing a bill to counter the effects of global warming.

I watched the debate about flag burning the other day and the D from Florida kept trying to point out that it is protected under the freedom of speech amendment. And it was upheld by SCOTUS and even Justice Scalia.

Who brought this bill forward anyways? I know it was the Republicans, but which one was pushing this issue?

[kwolf68]

6. How do the Dems play this?

This is a political shit-ball. You can’t win on this. If the Dems do the right thing and stand up for free speech they will be “proven” to hate America. If they go along with these goons, then we have the first amendment in history that restricts an individual from exercising his/her right to expression.

These Repukes are supposed to be strict constitutionalists.

This is a political loser for our side and it’s a perfect play by the right. Rove knows his shit.

[AX10]

7. But Antonin Scalia said that it's protected speech.

:wtf:? How can this be a looser for us?

[DavidDvorkin]

8. No, it's the next anti-gay marriage issue

If they can get it through the Senate, then they'll try to make it an issue in every state in time for the 2006 and 2008 elections.

It'll bring out the right-wing and fundie voters, the way the anti-gay movement did the last time.

[Citizen Jane]

9. Opportunity for re-framing?

Perhaps if it were re-framed in terms of Scalia's support (under the first amendment) we could at least make the reactionary right associate him with flag burning???

Here's a question, can you burn an image of the flag? In other words, what defines an official flag. I'm sure someone here knows the answer (and I could look it up on the net if I didn't have to go pick up my daughter...)

:hi:

[sdfernando]

10. You're supposed to burn it.

Don't these people know that the proper way to dispose of a retired flag is by burning it?

[BattyDem]

11. I was thinking about that earlier today.

In order to dispose of a flag in a "respectful" way, you have to burn it. But ... if it becomes illegal to burn the flag, then the only way to dispose of it will be to throw it in the trash ... which is disrespectful. :crazy:

[hemp_not_war]

12. yes smells like rove

possibly they will try to make a loophole so leftists can ban flags that aren't repectful enough by using this law. A few radicals will do it, and then they will paint the entire left trying to ban flags, a win for the right. I know conservatives are against this too, so if we just let it go to the supreme court, get shot down, it will be a win. Don't go nazi like the right.

[Nikki Stone 1]

13. Very Rove, very transparent

If they are pulling up flag burning, doesn't it kind of indicate that they are pretty desperate?