Is it worth it to knock out someone who walks on the American flag and then secure the flag?

Just dont use your fist, use something that isnt going to hurt!!!!! I just popped someone in the head and it really messed up my middle knuckle...should have used a 2x4...lol

I have used this reference before - but I think it fits in this conversation:

From the movie - The American President (1995)


President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas):
America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. Show me that, defend that, and celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".

Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".

Unfortunately, in 'free speech' you have to allow all to say their words (or you don't have 'free speech') - but it doesn't mean you have to listen to them. Walk away, turn to a different channel or station - you are 'free' to decide what you want to see and hear. It's always your decision whether or not you want to continue to read and/or listen to someone that is spouting off things you don't like, appreciate or believe in. Also, their actions you might not like - but if they are not physically hurting someone then you can't just go vigilante on them - or else you become the bad guy. Even though we might not like what is being said or being broadcast on some media or being physically done to some inanimate object - we cannot censor it or we become the very thing that we have fought World Wars over. I did not defend this country for over 32 years for it to slide into some facist or nazi type existence. I hope our new generations will learn from history and also actually read the constitution and it's amendements so that they will not doom us to keep repeating history.

She covers us when we're cold. She gives us strength when we feel weak, she lifts us up out of the blood, the sand and gives us unconditional love. She does not discriminate. Man does. I will protect her to my last breath. I will teach my kids to do the same. I'm am a retired NCO. I have shed blood for her. I will protect her and all her glory . She lives because men and women like us protect her and all that she stands for.
9 liner for life

That sounds like a loaded question. Is it worth committing a crime to stop someone from exercising free speech? Are you willing to put your career on the line for it? I'm not saying someone is right for walking on the flag, but I personally wouldn't assault someone to stop it.

No. The Military WILL NOT defend your actions, you will get punished. The Military today is about appearances, not principle. You would get UCMJ for sure, and your commander wouldn't pat you on the back.

If you aren't in, well... that's up to you. If you think you can take them, and you aren't heavily outnumbered, use your judgment.

Well think of this you cant`t shoot a bald eagle, because its a the national bird and symbol for our country, but you can burn an desecrate our flag that is the same thing.

No you can not assault some one for what the Supreme Court considers free expression.

I hate it as much as anyone but I don't think that I would knock somebody out over it.

This stomping on "Old Glory" make me sick! In my opinion it's a visible disrespect for the men and women the fought and died defending the freedoms of American's and others that called on the Soldiers, Marines,Navy and Airmen to remove or disable tyranny or tyrants grip on there God giving rights being violated. These flag stompers are not ignorant, they know what they are doing. But, on the other side of the coin, it is there right to voice opinions. You can voice your opinion in other ways. Knocking out lowlife will just get you in trouble sarge, but I understand. I per po that you can start a petition on desecrating the flag and get it to your Congress person or Senator. You need 1,000 to 2,000 signatures to submit it. I'll help you get it together.

The responses here, both for and against taking action, are passionate. Many argue in favor of defending the Flag based on what it represents. Others rightfully point out that we swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution and the very act of defending the Flag with violence violates the very rights for which many have fought and died to defend.

Why has no one addressed the Obese Pachyderm sitting dead center in the room?

What we have is a moral ambiguity. In the eyes of many, myself included, it is wrong NOT to defend the Flag while at the same time others rightfully espouse the idea that our rights as American Citizens must take precedence in this situation. I remember an old quote, "While I may not agree with what you're saying, I will defend to the death your right to say it" (with apologies to the original author...).

IMHO, I feel like both sides of this disagreement on RP could probably find common ground by accepting that 1) it is wrong to deface or show disrespect to the Flag (with all argument for or against Freedom of Speech/Expression set aside for the moment - just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD) and, 2) those individuals choosing to take this action have every right to do so even if it is morally repugnant to many.

This reminds me of another conversation I had recently about people filing lawsuits or taking action because they were offended over some perceived action or insult. We have many "rights" in this country. Last time I checked the "right" to NOT be offended is NOT one of them. Sometimes, in order to do the right thing and hold the higher ground, we need to "choose" to not be offended and walk away - or to BE offended - and walk away.

Remember, much of the argument against Conservatives, Christians and the Military has to do with the mistaken belief that those belonging to, or identifying with, these groups are Intolerant of others. Many with opposing points of view to those groups I mentioned above want to redefine Tolerance so non-acceptance equals InTolerance. To Tolerate something is to NOT ACCEPT that thing but to - put up with it, deal with it, let it exist - without action on your part.

In order to hold the higher moral ground we must tolerate those who would express their constitutional rights by desecrating the Flag - and remember that our brothers and sisters who died in service to our country did so not in service to that Flag - or really even in service to the Constitution - but in service to the very citizens who want to express their rights in this manner. If defending the Flag with violence means removing someone's right to disagree with us then we have done a disservice to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Semper Fi.