I
agree with Donald Trump. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American
flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of
citizenship or year in jail!"
I also agree with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
“If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag,” Justice Antonin Scalia said. “But I am not king.”
Back in 1989, Scalia was the fifth and deciding vote in the Texas v. Johnson decision that upheld flag burning in Texas, and a year later, he voted against a federal law that banned flag burning in United States v. Eichman.
Donald Trump is simply voicing his opinion. He is not issuing an executive order nor is he calling on congress to pass a law.
If he tried, it would simply be a wasted effort as the courts have already ruled that it's a form of speech and is protected under our 1st amendment.
As a citizen his opinion carries as much weight as yours and mine. He may be elected to be our next president, but he will not be a king. He will still only be a citizen as were all the previous presidents.
One thing all Americans need to understand about the constitution and the bill of rights. These are not privileges granted to us by the government. These are restrictions placed upon the government by the American People.
Take the the first amendment for example. It doesn't say that you have a right to free speech. You do, that's not even up for discussion. The first amendment tells congress what they cannot do.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Some of the other amendments were not written as eloquently, none the less they too merely restate our god given rights (natural rights if you prefer) but primarily warn congress as to what they are not allowed to do.
No other country in the world uses this standard. In every other country the rights of the citizens are granted to them by the king, by the parliament, by the sovereign. In America we the people are sovereign.
The government, from the president on down, works for us.
This document is what makes America an exceptional nation.
I also agree with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
“If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag,” Justice Antonin Scalia said. “But I am not king.”
Back in 1989, Scalia was the fifth and deciding vote in the Texas v. Johnson decision that upheld flag burning in Texas, and a year later, he voted against a federal law that banned flag burning in United States v. Eichman.
Donald Trump is simply voicing his opinion. He is not issuing an executive order nor is he calling on congress to pass a law.
If he tried, it would simply be a wasted effort as the courts have already ruled that it's a form of speech and is protected under our 1st amendment.
As a citizen his opinion carries as much weight as yours and mine. He may be elected to be our next president, but he will not be a king. He will still only be a citizen as were all the previous presidents.
One thing all Americans need to understand about the constitution and the bill of rights. These are not privileges granted to us by the government. These are restrictions placed upon the government by the American People.
Take the the first amendment for example. It doesn't say that you have a right to free speech. You do, that's not even up for discussion. The first amendment tells congress what they cannot do.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Some of the other amendments were not written as eloquently, none the less they too merely restate our god given rights (natural rights if you prefer) but primarily warn congress as to what they are not allowed to do.
No other country in the world uses this standard. In every other country the rights of the citizens are granted to them by the king, by the parliament, by the sovereign. In America we the people are sovereign.
The government, from the president on down, works for us.
This document is what makes America an exceptional nation.
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