RED DAVE

From Copernicus:

Coming from the generation that invented flag burnig as a form of protest, I will say that I have always considered the irrational displays of violence, against this particular form of protest, which violence I pernoally witnessed on one occasion, to be extraordinary.

Flag burning began at a certain stage of protest against the Vietnam War when people burning (self-immolation by Buddhist monks and others -- how many of you remember that?) and draft card burning (and more peceful forms of protest) were not stopping the mass burning of Vietnamese (and shooting and bombing of them) by US forces.

I always found it fascinating that people who will accept unrestricted bombing of civilian populations (as is about to occur in Iraq) will foam at the mouth and commit violence when someone burns asymbol .

The "emotional displays of hatred" during the Vietnam War came far more from the Administration and its liberal and right wing supporters than from those of us who, out of rage and frustration against a seemingly endless war, occasionally burned a piece of cloth.

RED DAVE

beyelzu

we are talking on a bulletin board, all we have in this medium are words.


for what its worth, I do think that you are anti american as far as I can tell. But I can give you a long list of people that I disagree with who I wouldnt say that about. ronin, gurder both come to mind right away.


Just admit you hate america, and I will quit calling you anti american.


I doubt you will however, you never once admitted that you were mistaken when you called me a racist.

beyelzu

Personally I am opposed to the war in iraq because I think that they do not represent a clear and present danger to the united states. I would support a war in Korea however.

RED DAVE

From Beyelzu:

I think we probably need a thread on Korea.

RED DAVE

Krieger

LOL, more conservative "logic"!

I don't hate countries - I hate oppressive ruling-classes everywhere. It doesn't matter which flag they hide behind.

Claiming that someone hates a country is implying that they hate all of the people living within that country, which is an idiotic claim.

You made a racist comment and then you tried to claim that you were quoting someone else, but yet there was no sign that you had quoted anyone.

RED DAVE

Personally, the most disgusting political symbol I saw during the Sixties was one circulated the YAF (Young Americans for Freedom, a right wing group that enjoyed a brief vogue up to about 1964). It took the standard peace symbol and substituted for it a tiny outline of a B-52 bomber and incorporated the words: Drop It!

Kind of says it all, don't it?

RED DAVE

Friar Bellows

Uniquely American? Please!

GaryP

Are you saying that it is actually uniquely American to consider throwing flag - burners in jail?

I thought I read someplace that the US is one of a very few countries who either have such a law or have seriously considered it.

Salmon of Doubt

Exactly. I could set as many British flags on fire as I wanted to in my front garden, and the only thing that would happen is that one of my neighbours might tell me off for polluting the atmosphere or something.

Kinross

I'll defend the right to burn the American flag, but I also have the right to be upset over the act of burning the flag.