A further erosion of rights

[M_Six]

From the ACLU:

On Tuesday the House narrowly passed the flag desecration amendment.
This amendment would alter the First Amendment for the first time in its history and allow Congress to outlaw the physical desecration of the flag. By voting to protect a national symbol at the expense of the freedoms it represents, the amendment's supporters voted to fundamentally alter our freedom of speech and our ability to protest the policies of the government.

Even Colin Powell thinks this is wrong:

"The First Amendment exists to insure that freedom of speech and expression applies not just to that with which we agree or disagree, but also that which we find outrageous," said retired general and current Secretary of State Colin Powell in a 1999 letter. "I would not amend that great shield of democracy to hammer a few miscreants. The flag will be flying proudly long after they have slunk away."

We'll be lucky if we have any rights left at all by the time the next election rolls around.

[daveleau]

While I absolutely HATE to see imbeciles desecrate our flag, it is the people's right to do so if they so stupidly wish to do so. It is also our right as Americans to disassociate ourselves from people who do such things. Actually, it is more than our right, but something akin to our duty to do so. I know I would make things as hard as I could for a flag desecrater, while staying within the letter of the law, of course.

[CERuppel]

Why hasn't this been all over the news?

The modification of the foundation of our freedom is the single biggest story in the US. But none of the local news carried this, and here was the first I had heard of it.

Hmmm... Maybe they amended it more than they are telling us???

[Telexen]

They've already set out to re-write the Constitution in many ways...like eliminating States Rights. - Passing a law requiring seat belts is a State thing...Congress has no business in it.

[CERuppel]

Just got back from my news sites...

Am I like the only one that can find no mention of this prior to its being voted on (past tense)?

And just for the record: I believe that the desecration of a nations flag by a citizen of that nation is wrong, in the harshest sense. But to make this an issue that allows for the modification of the greatest freedom of this nation...

Why was not a specific, limited, and direct law passed instead? One that set out in writing the fact that this is a case of assault against your nation, rather than free speech? They could even have let the (few) exceptions be outlined and specified. But instead they looked at the unchanged foundation of american freedom and said "Screw that" or words to that effect.

I'm sorry if that upsets someone, but it is beyond my ability to express the seriousness of this action. Ashcroft is demanding the dismantling of the entire bill of rights, first, fourth, and fifth amendments, and other changes to the entire concept of american freedom. All in the name of freedom.

And somehow, without the public even being notified the first amendment is for the first time being changed... How long until the entire "constitution" thing becomes meaningless?

A vote in the Senate on the amendment is expected next session.

It's not over yet. Write your senator.