Flag Burning Debate

Ben Massarelli
Dr. Waugh
Government 2305
22 November 2015
Government Paper

In module, “How a Member Votes for a Bill,” I was present with viewpoints on the passing of an amendment banning the burning of the United States Flag. As I listened to various points of view, my personal beliefs were either strengthen by the words of others or not swayed by those who disagreed with my own personal thoughts. First and foremost I do not belief that flag burning is a form of free speech. As such my strong desire to protect, what I feel is a sacred symbol of this country clouded my views to any differing points of view! As various organizations, fellow lawmakers, students, and political activists wooed me I was bombarded with mostly personal beliefs

Does destruction of an object qualify s free speech? Is the flag a symbol of the Ideology of the United States or merely a symbolic representation of said ideas? Personally I feel the flag stands alone, it is to be revealed and protect at all cost. As I was researching this bill I was exposed to many views. I tended to take to heart the views of those who were aligned along my own viewpoint. Take Tony Lorenza, a United States military veteran, who believes that the flag should be protected at all cost. Brooke Brown, essay winner and future leader, spoke of the flag as a national treasure and should be afforded all the rights afforded more accepted monuments i.e. Washington Monument, National Parks etc. I also received many calls from back home with the majority in favor of the amendment to protect the flag. Attending public forums I also received solicited as well as a lot of unsolicited advice on this issue. Dr. Ben Williams’s speech

“Members of Congress do not level with people”. Why can’t a politician give you a straight answer? Their slippery and you cannot pin them down for an answer. They spin every answer just to make themselves look good. I have to admit I was surprised by the expert’s response to this question. John Milewski, host of C-SPAN’s “Close Up”, explained that while voters expect our representatives to have a wide sweeping knowledge on issues, sometimes they just flat out do not know the answer. They may need to take the question and research the correct answer before responding. This can come off as elusive or “spinning an answer until such time they can present a better rebuttal. They also are politician, they have to play the game and try not to speak in inflammatory terms, because there are always to sides and someone will end up on the wrong side and be disgruntled. So the correct words may lessen the