I think any kind of flag-burning ban is a horrible idea, on the
grounds that we shouldn't restrict free speech except under yelling
"fire" in a crowded theater-type circumstances. It's an opinion I
have, which is informed by my beliefs and my life experience, or
lack thereof, and I don't believe in any sense that I my opinion is
"wrong".
Among the things my life experience does not include is service in
Vietnam, being seriously wounded there, the loss of friends and
compatriots in that war and other conflicts over 3 decades in the
military, etc. Had I done these things, I can imagine that I might
not look apon the matter with the same dispassion that I do now. It
might, in this alternate history, seem to me that burning the flag
was offensive enough to pass the crowded theater test. I can't say
that this is an opinion I agree with at all, but the fact that it
is sincere - even, I will say, in many ways more sincere than mine
- makes it a lot easier to deal with than if he had this opinion as
a way of getting votes, or attacking other people's patriotism,
etc.
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