Flag Burning

Retired_Can_Soldier

Retired_Can_Soldier

The End of the Dog is Coming!
Mar 19, 2006
12,436
1,392
113
60
Alberta
I'm not going to bother with a poll. I am really asking a simple question. Do you support the individuals right to burn a flag?

I have never burned a Canadian Flag, I have flown it upside down in protest though. I used to be adamantly opposed to the idea of burning our national emblem, but now I have a different perspective. Today, folks are doing back flips over the burning of symbols that represent something to them. Example, the Koran or the Bible. When in fact, these items, although bearing the burden of faith or patriotism are simply inanimate objects. If you burn the Holy Bible or the Koran that act should not shake the faith of the faithful. That's not to say it doesn't. I would say the same applies to flag burning. If you burn a Canadian flag in protest, I am not so insecure in my patriotism that I feel there should be a law to make the act illegal. In fact, we as Canadians should assert the right to use any form of non violent protest including flag burning, as a byproduct of living in a free and open society.

Sure to spark debate. What are your thoughts?
 
IdRatherBeSkiing

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
15,297
2,914
113
Toronto, ON
It is a valid form of protest which is ironically a freedom which should be protected in Canada and the United States. The only caveat is that the flag is burned safely as to not set people or property on fire. It doesn't irk me nor would burning of a bible or koran affect me either. It is the person showing his/her opinion of which I really don't significantly care.
 
SLM

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
5
36
London, Ontario
Of course, it's a perfectly valid form of self-expression. It's not one that I would choose, I personally think there are more productive ways to perhaps express yourself, ones that don't involve distruction, but each to their own. At the end of the day, it's an inanimate object and it's destruction really harms no one.
 
#juan

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
18,326
119
63
I've always thought that flag burning was a bit of symbolic childishness. you can better express what is bothering you by saying what the hell it is.
 
C

Christianna

Electoral Member
Dec 18, 2012
868
0
16
There is only one way to respectfully dispose of a flag, or bible....that is burning. On the other hand I had a very large American flag that I wanted rid of so I gave it to the American legion. It had only been used once and they were grateful to get it. I am not sure what the etiquette is for disposing of a Canadian flag, and I sure see a lot of them in tatters! I have never protested by burning a flag, I am more inclined to write letters.
 
C

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
193
63
Nakusp, BC
Christianna said:
There is only one way to respectfully dispose of a flag, or bible....that is burning. On the other hand I had a very large American flag that I wanted rid of so I gave it to the American legion. It had only been used once and they were grateful to get it. I am not sure what the etiquette is for disposing of a Canadian flag, and I sure see a lot of them in tatters! I have never protested by burning a flag, I am more inclined to write letters.
Click to expand...
Yes, seeing flags flapping shredded in the breeze over any building, seems to me to be more of an insult than burning one. That said, most flags are nylon these days so burning one is extremely polluting and I find that more offensive than the burning of a symbol. I'm not very patriotic to the idea of the fiction of the country so I am not offended by the burning of a symbol of something I feel really doesn't exist.
 
Zipperfish

Zipperfish

House Member
Apr 12, 2013
3,688
0
36
Vancouver
Yes, most times. With some exceptions. Burning a flag at a Remembrance Day ceremony or a military funeral, for example. Just because of the cost to the taxpayer to pay for all the police that would have to ptoect the burner from getting beat to a pulp.
 
Tecumsehsbones

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
60,706
9,682
113
Washington DC
DaSleeper said:
Or definite lack of "Class" as I mentioned to the husband of a lady, in Tottenham, Ontario who was flying a big Quebec flag only on their trailer on Canada Day.
Click to expand...
Maybe he was implying that Quebecois are trailer trash, and you're not clever enough to get it.

Just a possibility.
 
Walter

Walter

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 28, 2007
34,892
129
63
My son learned in Scouts that the only way to dispose of a flag is to burn it. If is worn out or even if it touches the ground it is to be burned.
 
IdRatherBeSkiing

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
15,297
2,914
113
Toronto, ON
Zipperfish said:
Yes, most times. With some exceptions. Burning a flag at a Remembrance Day ceremony or a military funeral, for example. Just because of the cost to the taxpayer to pay for all the police that would have to ptoect the burner from getting beat to a pulp.
Click to expand...

Does society owe them special protection? If they are getting beat to a pulp they could call 911. Why should taxpayers provide special protection because they are being provocative?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom