Flag Burning Should Be Illegal

R1a. I never said the pledge of allegiance is a contract, I said it was similar to one. It is not a contract. Let my clarify. You do not have to be any age to pledge loyalty to someone or something. People under the age of 18 pledge their loyalty to sports teams, schools, family, religion and other institutions long before they can enter into a legal contract. While it is not a contract I would like to point a few things out about your argument:- the flag may be an inanimate object but the thing it represents, the US government and her people, is not inanimate and can provide you well being, protection and security. - while the pledge is not legally binding the recitation of such a pledge shows that you have pledged your loyalty and allegiance to the United States, you cannot then burn the thing that represents it without destroying that loyalty- all citizens have a duty and obligation to be loyal to their nation- once again the pledge is not an official legal document so you do not have to be 18 in order to enter into itStrict ScrutinyI disagree, a flag burning law would indeed pass the strict scrutiny test.Government interest - the government would have an interest to protect the symbol of the United States, to protect against comforting the enemies of the United States while preventing the spread of terrorism or anti-American sentiments.Narrowly tailored - this law would serve one purpose only, to protect the rights and dignity of the US flag, this law would serve no other purpose or touch any other areasLeast restrictive means - this would be the simplest way to end flag burning by banning flag burning [1] So a flag burning law would indeed pass the Strict Scrutiny test. "OR in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort"The burning of the US flag by Americans on US soil would indeed adhere to the beliefs of the enemies of the United States by giving theme Comfort. You can't say that terrorists would be heartened to see Americans burning our flag. You can't say that Russia and Iran wouldn't be comforted and feel proud to see people burning our own symbol in the US. This does adhere to the anti-American ideas of our enemies and would comfort them greatly making the burning of the US flag still a treasounous act. C1. Again, I point out that while we have a right to free speech that right is not completely free or unregulated. There are plenty of things I can't do.I can't harrass you.I can't threaten to kill you.I can't say I want to kill the president.I can't scream fire in a theater.I can't shout bomb on an airplane.I can't lie in court.I can't bring false testimony or slander public figures.This First Amendment right does not guarentee complete and total freedom of speech. In the same way I can't threaten to kill the president or plot to bring down the United States, neither then should I be able to burn the US flag. While I can express my desire to murder someone, I can also end up in court for that expression. I can't express my will to do art on the side of a public building. The First Amendment is wonderful, I agree. But it is not completely overreaching like you imply. It would be no trouble to add the burning of the US flag to this list of things you can't say or express. C2. Burning a person is also considered a dignified way to retire a body however I cannot burn someone out of spite or malice. Burning retired flags would be fine just as cremation is fine but cremation does not allow for the burning of live people nor does the prohibition of burning live people ban the practice of cremation. C3. The US Constitution only applies to US citizens. And if this is the case then we'll make US flag burning illegal on US soil. This does not change my argument. Immigrants who are citizens of other countries must adhere to our laws but should not garner protection of our Constitution. C4. Your last point is not applicable because Congress finds ways to pass laws that do not coincide with the Constitution. However, this law could be passed under the Elastic Clause which states that Congress can pass any law it finds neccessary and proper to carry out its duties.[1] Since the burning of the US flag can hearten our enemies and feed anti-American protests it can fit into this clause. Also, Congress manages to pass plenty of laws which do not fit with the 10th Amendment. How does Healthcare? How does Stimulus? If it could be passed onto the states then great, I never said it had to be a federal law. Florida is a state, under the 10th Amendment they could pass an anti-flag burning law. Florida is in the United States therefore the Resolution still applies.Conclusion- the flag is a symbol of the United States and since you can't destroy the United States or work to bring down the government you cannot therefore burn the flag- flag burning does not fit into the First Amendment- people cannot in good taste, without violating their loyalty to the United States, burn the US flag- flag burning passes Strict Scrutiny- flag burning adheres to enemies of the US and gives them comfort** Also I would like to make a note that the character limit is binding. Sources outside of a debate are not to be counted by voters based on site rules. I cannot post arguments in the comments therefore sources in the comments do not count. Perhaps this is something you can keep in mind for the future. Thank you. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org...[2] http://dictionary.reference.com...