Posted on May 4, 2015
What is your opinion on the STOMP the U.S. Flag challenge that is going around?
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This is a humiliating challenge that someone who calls themself an Amercan came up with. I know that there is a challenge going around for people to stomp on the American Flag as an exercise of there freedom of speech. I promise that if you exercise your right to stomp on my countries flag to exercise your rights well then I will exercise my right to whoop your ass as a defense to my Countries liberties. Sorry for cursing. Enough said.
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United States
Constitution
1st Amendment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 43
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Clearly, most of us here are appalled by this "challenge," but it is within the individuals' rights to do as they wish.
While penning the constitution of the United States, the founders of our country took a lot of inspiration from European philosphers. Purportedly, this quote:
"I do not agree with a word you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire
influenced the first ammendment. If you consider the wording of this literally, this is a strong statement. To disagree with EVERY word someone says indicates a borderline hatred for what is being said; however the second half of this quote is equally strong. All service members past and present have sworn to protect the country and uphold the constitution to the point of loss of life and limb. That is something that holds true for the things we may disagree with as well as the items we support.
While penning the constitution of the United States, the founders of our country took a lot of inspiration from European philosphers. Purportedly, this quote:
"I do not agree with a word you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire
influenced the first ammendment. If you consider the wording of this literally, this is a strong statement. To disagree with EVERY word someone says indicates a borderline hatred for what is being said; however the second half of this quote is equally strong. All service members past and present have sworn to protect the country and uphold the constitution to the point of loss of life and limb. That is something that holds true for the things we may disagree with as well as the items we support.
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COL (Join to see)
I don't believe what they are doing is right, but I didn't sign up to defend the things that I believe are right. I signed up to defend things both sacred and profane, within the boundaries of the constitution.
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SrA Fred Packard
Hate what they are doing.... But will defend their right to protest..... Although this is against statutes!
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This just illustrates why I am concerned about our country. Deeply concerned. The Roman Empire lasted 500 years. It fell. We won't last 300 if something doesn't change soon.
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That is why we are the 1%. We are the "outsiders" who choose selfless service over lip service and pride over profit. I believe that the Supreme Court erred on this act being freedom of speech and see it as an overt act of something far more serious in these strange times, but I can't pick and choose which ones I can follow. The same things that make this country great are the things we have defended; this is just a decision I am not proud of. There seem to be more and more of them these days.
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SFC Mark Merino
Although admittedly tempting SGT David Schreiner, We are the minority of people who know what that American flag symbolizes. These people are just ignorant beyond measure. I feel if we take the bait and start stomping, we will lose the very thing that keeps our bond so strong as veterans. I won't take the bait, but it won't be easy.
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SrA (Join to see)
It's the dumbest thing I've ever seen someone do. So disrespectful for the people that lose their lives for that same flag. I really can't believe the stuff people come up with. It saddens me
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This is completely horrible. I don't understand why people would think this would be okay to do. If you don't like the USA just leave.
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1SG (Join to see)
Very distasteful and disturbing. Very telling on the state of our country... Shameful.
Very distasteful and disturbing. Very telling on the state of our country... Shameful.
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SrA (Join to see)
it makes me sick to my stomach and those people should have to stand up for their actions
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Here is my opinion: I think they are trying to get attention and that they obtained your's. They are ridiculous. Who are they in my world? Nothing.
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1SG (Join to see)
I know that it is legal but as everything else why do citizens chose to disgrace something of so much value for a right that they already have. This makes know sense and should have a punishment to go with it. Many people have died defending this and yet it is tolerated.
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I am not happy with this movement. Although we fight for all American's freedoms. As I have stated before this trys my resililence.
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Overly idiotic people exercising their free speech and unfortunately not a damned thing we can do about it, much as we want to.
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If a person feels the need to resort to violence against someone else (not a Constitutional right) because that person is exercising their right to free speech (which IS Constitutionally protected), they are 100% wrong and are completely contrary to the values of the Constitution.
I replied to a similar post earlier, and I try to be efficient, so...
We don't swear to protect the flag. We don't swear to protect the government. We swear to protect the Constitution. We swear to support and the defend the right of every person to exercise their right to free speech. Protest against the government (including through desecration of the flag) is, without question, the right of the people. At the end of the day, the flag is just cloth, it is a SYMBOL of the freedom we serve to protect and defend. While people may desecrate the cloth flag, they are exercising their rights to free speech - and their right to free speech is what we defend - not a flag. I'm not willing to lay down my life from a flag - I'm willing to lay down my life for the freedoms that the flag symbolizes.
It may not look right or feel right and it may hurt your feelings, but you have to accept that THIS is EXACTLY what we need to be defending the right to do.
Voltaire said something to the affect of, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." That is our job. That is our mission. And the fact that people CAN do this freely and without being dragged about by the government or arrested by the police means that, for now, we are doing our job.
I replied to a similar post earlier, and I try to be efficient, so...
We don't swear to protect the flag. We don't swear to protect the government. We swear to protect the Constitution. We swear to support and the defend the right of every person to exercise their right to free speech. Protest against the government (including through desecration of the flag) is, without question, the right of the people. At the end of the day, the flag is just cloth, it is a SYMBOL of the freedom we serve to protect and defend. While people may desecrate the cloth flag, they are exercising their rights to free speech - and their right to free speech is what we defend - not a flag. I'm not willing to lay down my life from a flag - I'm willing to lay down my life for the freedoms that the flag symbolizes.
It may not look right or feel right and it may hurt your feelings, but you have to accept that THIS is EXACTLY what we need to be defending the right to do.
Voltaire said something to the affect of, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." That is our job. That is our mission. And the fact that people CAN do this freely and without being dragged about by the government or arrested by the police means that, for now, we are doing our job.
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