While I think you are extremist (and cowardly to write anonymously), I think that wsmith understands what you say.
Free speech does not mean only pleasant or desired speech, it does not mean only speech any particular leader finds friendly or welcome. It is the right, and the duty, to express differences (even repungant ones) through peaceful and expressive means - lest we have to resort to violence or bad behavior against each others persons or property.
One of the magical parts of the Constitution, it seems to me, is how it anticipates the need to handle difference in non-violent and expressive ways.
Burning a flag is offensive. It is supposed to be. It is repugnant, and that is important to its nature. It is a form of odious expression. I do not wish to express that odious message - and I would not. Unless my government reduced our means of expressions.
no subject
Free speech does not mean only pleasant or desired speech, it does not mean only speech any particular leader finds friendly or welcome. It is the right, and the duty, to express differences (even repungant ones) through peaceful and expressive means - lest we have to resort to violence or bad behavior against each others persons or property.
One of the magical parts of the Constitution, it seems to me, is how it anticipates the need to handle difference in non-violent and expressive ways.
Burning a flag is offensive. It is supposed to be. It is repugnant, and that is important to its nature. It is a form of odious expression. I do not wish to express that odious message - and I would not. Unless my government reduced our means of expressions.