Senate Fails To Pass Flag Burning Amendment

It was close - it failed by one vote.

The 66-34 tally in favor of the amendment was one less than the two-thirds required. The House surpassed that threshold last year, 286-130.

The proposed amendment, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, read: "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

It represented Congress' response to Supreme Court rulings in 1989 and 1990 that burning and other desecrations of the flag are protected as free speech by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Senate supporters said the flag amounts to a national monument in cloth that represents freedom and the sacrifice of American troops.

"Countless men and women have died defending that flag," said Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., closing two days of debate. "It is but a small humble act for us to defend it."

Opponents said the amendment would violate the First Amendment right to free speech. And some Democrats complained that majority Republicans were exploiting people's patriotism for political advantage in the midterm elections.

As disgusted and enraged as I am when I hear about someone doing this, I also have said all along that we really do not need to ban it. Those that do such things defeat their own cause - because the rage and disgust is felt by most people watching the action. Need proof?

Rick Monday saved a flag from being burned. A lot of people remember that.

Anyone remember the names of the two losers who tried to burn the flag?

See what I mean?

Earlier post here.