Posted on May 19, 2015
SGT(P) Robert Viens
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Capt Retired
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As much as it angers me to say this, I think you must back up and remember that one of the things we have served for is the freedom of speech. The supreme court has ruled that such things are protected by free speech. SO, when you knock the idiot out you are actually going against what we served for.

React as you must, but I suggest you find a way to show your disgust without infringing on the others rights. Why? Because if one loses one's rights, we all lose our rights.
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CPL Aloysius Grimaudo
CPL Aloysius Grimaudo
7 y
Beg to differ..I don't care about freedom of speech... I care about respect.. man woman don't care who it is.. I don't have a problem protecting what I fought for..I'll knock your ass out.. that's why the country has problems we don't stick up for what we fight for.. u took a oath looking at that flag... it doesn't end..protect it like a real american
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SSG Robert Perrotto
SSG Robert Perrotto
3 y
CPL Aloysius Grimaudo - wow - just wow. We do NOT get to decide what rights we care about, or even get to discriminate what is allowed by those rights. We all swore to uphold the Constitution, above all else, and to see a fellow Brother in arms exclaimed he doesn't care about the 1st amendment saddens me. This right was the very first right our founders put forth for the people. more important then bearing arms, and you would ignore it for a piece of cloth, it is not the cloth that carries the ideals of our country, it is our hearts, and as long as we, in our hearts, carry those ideals, then no one can desecrate our Flag, no matter how many times they stomp on it.
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SSG Bill McCoy
SSG Bill McCoy
3 y
CPL Aloysius Grimaudo - Courts have ruled that it is "free speech," and to assault such an idiot is a criminal offense. I admire your passion, but would question your common sense. I'm not trying to insult you, but seriously - part of your oath is to uphold and defend the Constitution, and among THE MOST sacred in the Bill of Rights is the 1st Amendment's FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
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LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired)
LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired)
3 y
CPL Aloysius Grimaudo - "Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath: I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;" If you are going to beat someone up for exercising their right to Freedom of Speech then you are disrespecting the Oath you took upon enlisting.
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SFC Platoon Sergeant
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Burning or stomping on the American flag just makes you an asshole. Punching that asshole makes you a criminal.
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MAJ Brigade S1
MAJ (Join to see)
9 y
Well said. We need to remember that we swore to defend the Constitution and the rights of the people. Just because we don't agree with what someone is doing, doesn't mean we violate the law and our oath.
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SFC Robert Wheeler
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Edited 9 y ago
Guys, what seems to missing here is support for the very Constitution and laws you served to protect. It's a piece of cloth and it is also the symbol of our country and it is also a sign of protest when it is used in a demonstration. If you have a problem with protest, maybe you need to stop and remember how this country was founded. The flag represents everything good about this country but it also represents all of the current laws and policies that may not be so good for us so it stands to reason it should be used in protest. No flag flies "above" it's people but rather "for" it's people. The rights and freedoms that the flag represents are embodied in our right to protest. Maybe you guys need to learn that maybe your values need to be examined.
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SrA Edward Vong
SrA Edward Vong
9 y
I salute you sir, finally someone who sees the point of view I have been trying to make. The flag serves the people, the constitution serves the people, but people first.
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MSG Operations Sergeant
MSG (Join to see)
9 y
I agree with your statement exactly - well said SFC Robert Wheeler! For those that would still assault someone for their actions, just remember an assault conviction can take away some of the very rights you fought to protect. To quote the old "Baretta" theme song, "If you can't do the time, then don't do the crime"!
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SFC William Farrell
SFC William Farrell
9 y
Good points and well said SFC Wheeler. I do think it should be against the law however to desecrate the flag, trample on it, etc. Too many politically correct assholes in this country if you ask me.
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MSG Clyde Mills
MSG Clyde Mills
3 y
MSG (Join to see) - Yes we who have served all swore an Oath, so you have to look at it in this perspective. Your feelings don't Trump someone's 1st Amendment Right's. Even if it pisses you off to no end. It's not worth going to jail over and getting an assault Charge on your record and or possibly spending time in jail over this ordeal.
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