| US Congress saves flag from 'physical abuse' On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives by a majority vote adopted a draft constitutional amendment prohibiting “physical abuse” of the country’s flag. 286 congressmen voted “for”, 130 voted “against”.
The most popular way of such “outrage” of the Stars and Stripes is its public burning. For almost half a century, such auto-da-fé has symbolized protest against the policies of the US authorities; it has become a common entertainment for demonstrators both in America and in the rest of the world.
Patriotic congressmen pushed through a law banning flag burning back in 1968, when opponents of the Vietnam War began to burn the “stars and stripes” at their demonstrations. However, in 1989, the US Supreme Court decided by a margin of just one vote that flag burning was a radical but still acceptable expression of citizenship, and therefore the ban violated the constitutional norm on freedom of speech.
Congress can overcome the court's verdict only by introducing a separate amendment to the constitution, specifically stipulating the protection of the flag. To do this, the bill must be supported by at least two-thirds of the deputies in each of the chambers, and then within seven years the amendment must be ratified in at least 38 states. Since 1989, Republican congressmen have successfully passed such an amendment through the House of Representatives four times, but the Senate has failed time after time. The last time was in 2000, when the Stars and Stripes fell just four senatorial votes short.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the mood changed - America is experiencing a rise in national consciousness, and conservatives are setting the tone in Congress. They demand that the flag be protected from “physical abuse,” since in their eyes it symbolizes rights and freedoms. Opponents argue that the Patriot Amendment puts the symbol of freedom above freedom itself, creating a dangerous precedent - once you decide to limit the freedoms of speech, press and conscience, it will be impossible to stop.
According to observers, now the chances of success of the amendment are greater than ever - the ban on flag burning could be supported by at least 65 senators. Not only Republicans are ready to vote for the project, but also some Democratic senators, who have traditionally put the rights and freedoms of Americans above the inviolability of national symbols. So far, only two votes are needed to pass the law. The Senate is expected to consider the amendment next month after Fourth of July. If the amendment is adopted, it is possible that other documents will follow, stipulating specific punishment for desecration of the US flag. Vladimir DZAGUTO |
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