Opinions to the Editor
The TPJ wants to hear from you! Beginning with this issue, the Publications Committee will poll members concerning their thoughts on some of the “hot topics” of the day. During each quarter, the Committee will draft a question, which will be distributed to membership, through the Directors. Each question will direct you as to where to send your response. We will print the responses in the following TPJ, reserving the right to edit for space considerations. While we prefer to print a name and city with each response, we understand that some of you may prefer that we not print your name. We will honor this request, so long as the response is not contrary to the objectives of the Paralegal Division or the Publications Committee.
We hope that this column provides a way for PD members to express themselves, constructively, on issues that impact our profession, our communities and our country.
QUESTION OF THE QUARTER:
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed an amendment to ban the desecration of the U.S. flag. The amendment stands a very good chance of passing the U.S. Senate. Do you feel that this amendment is good policy for the US? Why or why not?
RESPONSE 1: This is in response to the question of whether there should be a Constitutional amendment banning the desecration of the flag. I am strongly against such an amendment, because it directly conflicts with freedom of speech and expression, freedoms which are, to me, among the most important and precious freedoms we have in this country. People risk their lives (and often lose them) daily to come to this country precisely because we have such freedom to express ourselves without fear (so far) of reprisal by our government.
For example, many of you may remember the struggles of people in East Germany (where freedom was repressed) to escape to the West, where such freedoms were allowed.
Such an amendment sounds good, because it speaks to our patriotism and love of country. However, the flag, as much meaning as we put into it, is a symbol. Merely that. It has no more or less meaning than any other symbol. And what does “desecration” mean? That you can’t put one on your denim jacket? That you can’t wear shorts made of one? And where does this all stop? Shades of George Orwell.
If we begin to restrict our freedoms by doing things such as this, we begin a slide down a very dangerous, slippery slope and turn to the type of government we so strongly criticized in the Soviet Union — one which denies dissenters a voice. I may not agree with the person who burns a flag, but I will fight for that person’s right to do so. That’s what America is all about, to me. The fact that Congress is even considering this appalls and horrifies me. — Debra Crosby, San Antonio
RESPONSE 2: It is a very good policy. It is illegal to kill a bald eagle which is a symbol of our country. It should be illegal to desecrate our flag which is our country. — Mary Kirby Jones, Plano
RESPONSE 3: Is a constitutional amendment the only road to stop desecration of our national symbol, the Star Spangled Banner? Most people exercise flag desecration in protest of the government. The flag in no way represents the government, it represents the people of this great nation who enjoy freedom unlike any other. It also represents a will to never give up and to unite as one. Just as in the 9/11 attacks, our country was able to unite under one thing, that being our flag. If a person feels it is necessary to protest the government do it in a way it will work. Organize a group that will support a party with the ideals you look for. Too many men and women have given their precious lives just so we can see that flag waiving in the sky. Though it would be nice to see flag desecration banned, it may be very difficult to pass in the legislature. Proud Americans look at the flag as more than just a flag; a proud family will see it as a soldier’s life lost in war, an immigrant will see it as a new life, while other degrade it…we all know it is a symbol of more than just freedom, it is a symbol of the people who love their country. —- Mary Helen Valdez, Lubbock
RESPONSE 4: I have always felt this was a Freedom of Speech issue. As American citizens, we should be allowed to question our government and to speak out if we disagree with it. That is what freedom is and why we defend it. No one likes to see our flag burned or destroyed, except those who want to make a display of hurting the U.S. Forbidding such action only invites desecration displays. Forbidding freedom of speech is what despots, dictators and tyrants do to control their country’s citizens from dissenting with them. —- Caro E. Dubois, CLA, Austin
RESPONSE 5: The proposed amendment to ban the desecration of the U.S. Flag is good policy for the US because the flag has long been a symbol of what the United States was founded upon – freedom. Persons who desecrate the flag are in essence making a statement that they have no respect for the principles of this country or its people. We demand and receive respect and protection of our property through laws. We likewise should demand and receive respect for our principles and protection of all that symbolizes those principles, particularly the US flag. — Grace Duplessis, CLA, Corpus Christi
RESPONSE 6: I wish that people’s manners and moral conduct simply prevented the U.S. flag from being desecrated. It is a sad day when we have to legislate and/or take away the freedoms of people because of poor taste or bad manners. The U.S. flag is a symbol of our great country and should not be desecrated. People living in this country who think so ill of our country to burn or desecrate the flag should not be living in our country. — Laura, Amarillo
RESPONSE 7: I think a better solution would be for anyone caught desecrating the flag to be given a one-way, nonrefundable ticket to the country of their choice since it’s obvious from their actions that the U.S. isn’t it. — Helen, Beaumont
RESPONSE 8: Anyone in the United States of America should be allowed to burn anything they want to burn, as long as it is not a living thing, or someone else’s property. This is the home of the free. Freedom means I don’t have to believe what you believe, because I am free to believe what I believe.
My Daddy, who passed away in November, was a serviceman in World War II (more precisely a Marine), and I still put my hand over my heart when I hear the Star Spangled Banner. That has nothing to do with the right to refuse to do so, or to burn a flag. God Bless America, and save us from those who would rewrite a constitution that has functioned quite efficiently for over 200 years. — Nan Gibson, Houston
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