Flag burning should be illegal.

Well unfortunately this debate has came to an end it has honestly been one of the more enjoyable debates it is a change of pace from the barrage of crazy ones I have been a part of. I have a really intelligent and respectful opponent that I enjoyed engaging so without further a due I will conclude my portion. Although I have a great deal of admiration for the view points of my opponent I feel that he has miss quoted me on a number of occasions and also used a number of my quotes out of context. In this debate I feel that my opponent only has one issue in which he can claim victory and that is the establishment of another government controlled program. My opponent basically labeled me as a hypocrite when I suggested alternative means of protest. Now I too have my right to free expression and I ask my opponent if he would be against a vote on this issue pertaining to the people of a country at the state level. I feel that destruction of any symbol is wrong but that is just me I just ask the voters to think about this when it comes time to vote. Now my opponent stated that I wrote that I felt flag burning was preferable to arson. Which is not what I stated I said that flag burning is only done as a show of hate during a protest. There is no peace of mind when people commit arson. Now think about this when adults go and purposefully destroy property we are telling children that is OK to burn things in public. Once again you reiterated the fact that the Flag or any other piece of material fits in the same category is only material with no meaning what so ever. I stated that many people have emotional attachments to various pieces of fabric and the burning of such objects leads to anger and hatred. Because of the constraints of time and obviously man power I cannot really organize a flag burning rally or anything of this nature but with the power of Youtube I can link you to a few videos. Now in the following links I would like you to watch and simply read the hate felt comments. You must remember these people are not all at the same place and are not exchanging words so at least things cannot escalate but one can only imagine. What about the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, you have grossly downplayed the importance of material. http://youtube.com... http://www.youtube.com... http://www.youtube.com... I really find it funny you chose to bring up again the fact that the burning of property is something that is economically beneficial. If that where the case why don't we continue to do things that infuriate other countries, or better yet start wars with as many nations as possible so they purchase American flags in order to protest. Common, do you honestly believe that the purchasing of a few flags makes any sort of dent in the stock market or the flag producing companies? My opponent stated that if people in the US would result to flag burning people around the globe would not want to do it because if a nation hates itself what is the fun in hating that country. He try to cover up his tracks by misquoting my "stealing of thunder" quote to mean that the US would be easier to be overthrown. Now I did not say anything of the sort. I agree that this country has been divided many times and for many years and we have not been overthrown in fact when we are attacked and have a united front we tend to be a more admirable opponent to other countries, but US burning the flag would not result in less flag burning across the globe it would result in more because people will think hey if the Americans do not respect their government then why should we respect the government of America. Like I have stated many times throughout this debate I respect the opinion of my opponent and I fight for his right to have his freedoms, I will have to state that I feel flag burning should be illegal. His only valid point is the fact that government should be reduce even though on his profile he would like to expand the government on issues that are advantages to him. Now I have stated that we need not give nor ask for the power of the government the expand to make things illegal. I study criminal justice and many laws in this country are societal based, for example shouldn't people be able to pay for sex I mean doesn't it fall under the right of an individual for the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So since in most cities of the nation prostitution is legal I feel that we should vote in a state by state manner in order to outlaw the burning of flags. God bless the soldiers who fight for our rights and all the people that fight to make things fair and moral for the rest of US. If you believe in a moral society and feel that flag burning has no positive qualities you must feel in your heart to vote Pro! Sincerely, SPC Rautert Frederick, J. USAR