"Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both." Thus sayeth the law.
If someone does protest against the U.S. by burning our flag or trampling on it in a knowing act of disrespect, are we right in tossing them in jail? This is their way of expressing their hatred against our country. Do we then say, Off to prison with you?
Such a person is called a dissident. Do we imprison our dissidents?
Yes, there are countries and kingships and dictators who have sent dissidents to the gallows for disrespecting them. Should America follow suit?
Our flag is not cut out of such cloth.
A free nation does not force its freedom. It does not force loyalty. It demands no subservience. When freedom enters the room, you are not require you to bow. Freedom and liberty are not there to protect those who are loyal to government, for they need no protection. It is the person who stands against that country and government who is in need of freedom the most.
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