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Trump Signs Executive Order (Which Will be Voided by the Courts) Making Burning the Flag a Felony

His EO states that if you burn the flag, you might spend a year in prison.

My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority.

I don't like this at all.

The defense being offered is this: The left is sending people to jail for burning "pride" flags or even for burning rubber on a "pride" crosswalk.

That's a good point and good context, but I still don't want speech outlawed. I think many of us flew upside-down flags during Obama and Biden. We are, sadly, keenly aware that the American government can turn savage and tyrannical, and sometimes even we might want to protest that.

Schlichter sums up my feelings:

Kurt Schlichter
@KurtSchlichter

It's an unconstitutional EO.

In the context of everything else that's going on right now and considering what the communists have done, on a scale of 1 to 1000 I care about this at about a 2.


Update: This is why you can't assume permanent GOP majorities. As a party gets more confident, it starts dusting off its unpopular policies, checking to see if they'll fly now.

Posted by: Ace at 04:48 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1st

Posted by: GF at August 25, 2025 04:48 PM (LCzuj)

2
Black eye for MAGA.

Posted by: Blonde Morticis's Phone at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (Os3Lc)

3 Waste of time

Posted by: It's me donna at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (VE6XX)

4 I think you're right. This will be found unconstitutional, and then the lefties will have to think of some reason why pride flags and crosswalks are protected. Spaghettification will ensue.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (Riz8t)

5 What's special about the fucking pride flag?

Posted by: night lifted at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (/YboP)

6
My nic was misspelled.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at August 25, 2025 04:51 PM (Os3Lc)

7 4 I think you're right. This will be found unconstitutional, and then the lefties will have to think of some reason why pride flags and crosswalks are protected. Spaghettification will ensue.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (Riz8t)


So it's a sort of trap?

Posted by: night lifted at August 25, 2025 04:51 PM (/YboP)

8 Can we still burn rainbow flags?

Posted by: Straight guys everywhere at August 25, 2025 04:51 PM (XQo4F)

9 Stupid idea.

It is a clear and obvious infringement of our 1st Amendment rights, And it also an embarrassingly ham-handed attempt to make the Dems defend flag burning.

I'LL defend it. I don't need the Dems to do it.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (with a beret and a Gauloises) at August 25, 2025 04:51 PM (L5An7)

10 The EO says if you do it with the intent to incite a riot.

I think that's probably defensible from a Constitutional standpoint. Given that we have laws for that about actual speech.

Posted by: blaster at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (RoO7G)

11 I disagree with Kurt, this is like the broken window tactic. Go after the smaller transgressions so they never get to the big ones like open borders.

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (unUNN)

12 8 Can we still burn rainbow flags?
Posted by: Straight guys everywhere at August 25, 2025 04:51 PM (XQo4F)


Not if you don't want to be arrested

Posted by: It's me donna at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (VE6XX)

13 Oh , good. Uggh .Now all the masked Democrat communists will be out burning American flags

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (2GCMq)

14 Trump has made it so that the entire 2028 Dem field will burn the flag at a debate stage.

Posted by: MikeN at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (HVZOH)

15 Also - make sure you attack the actual thing, not the thing the Dems tell you to attack

Posted by: blaster at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (RoO7G)

16 Trump and Vance in the Oval Office:

Sir, I can’t believe you got them to defend high crime rates in DC.

Wanna see me get them to defend burning the flag?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (u73oe)

17 The EO says if you do it with the intent to incite a riot.

Posted by: blaster at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (RoO7G)

"Intent" is a horrible legal point.

Is the action illegal? Yes or no.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (with a beret and a Gauloises) at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (L5An7)

18 In a normal time I wouldn't support this but we clearly don't live in normal times. I distinctly remember hearing about people going to prison for burning a gay flag for a hate crime.

I'm willing to give the left another inch. Either no flags can be burned or all flags can be burned. No more special rules for leftists.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (viF8m)

19 I think this is being done so that protection for the Pride stuff is removed. We do have someone in jail for that, I think

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (kUxzU)

20
Just my $0.02, could this be a troll move to force the donks to spend judiciary capital on? Something that looks like red meat, and smells like red meat to get them to stop, the he says all that pride shit is free speach too? Long term 10/90 issue he baits them with?

Posted by: BifBewalski - at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (QVmho)

21 Do you want it to get to the point like in England where you are arrested for hanging out the country's flag?

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (unUNN)

22 I suggest people read it:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/
08/prosecuting-burning-of-the-american-flag/

"The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment."

and

"In cases where the Department of Justice or another executive department or agency (agency) determines that an instance of American Flag desecration may violate an applicable State or local law, such as open burning restrictions, disorderly conduct laws, or destruction of property laws, the agency shall refer the matter to the appropriate State or local authority for potential action."

Really, it amounts to, "If the burning can be construed as in violation of existing laws, pursue those."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, growing up with John Hughes at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (GBKbO)

23 Bad order. Good politics.

Posted by: Frasier Crane at August 25, 2025 04:54 PM (bNf8H)

24 Instead of "outlawing" burning the Flag via executive order, how about we just bring Rick Monday out of retirement and let him beat the sh*t out of any punks performatively burning the Flag?

One real 'Merican versus ten Antifa punks is not a fair fight ... for the Antifa soy-boys.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 25, 2025 04:54 PM (HlyYF)

25 Whatever, fight over it if you want.

Posted by: steevy at August 25, 2025 04:54 PM (YwEeS)

26
OK: Burning American Flags

Not OK: Burning a Koran

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 25, 2025 04:54 PM (kkTda)

27 It's time that Trump sent our judges snipe hunting. Give them something to do that drains their time, energy and treasure.

Get it? Got it? Good. Now go home and get your shine box.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (wBaIH)

28 You fell for the leftist interpretation of this executive order. The EO DOES NOT outlaw burning the flag. That would be unconstitutional, but the EO doesn't do that. Seriously, read the EO. What it does is tell federal prosecutors that any crimes that INVOLVE burning the flag should be prosecuted to the fullest extent, or referred to state authorities for the same. But the activity must already be criminal on other grounds (such as vandalism, open burning violations, trespass, etc). It also calls for the denial/revocation of visas for foreign nationals who burn the flag, but that's not a criminal prosecution.

Posted by: Big O at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (JtyMq)

29
As EO, I rate it a 2 (on scale of 1-10)
As troll, I rate it an 8

As way to make the Left go nuts defending the indefensible, priceless.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (bXONb)

30 Sir, I can’t believe you got them to defend high crime rates in DC.

Wanna see me get them to defend burning the flag?

They've done that for decades. The new twist is that they want to protect the flags of their interest groups, while burning the flag that is supposed to represent us all. As I said, they're going to tie themselves in knots trying to sell that as something other than utterly craven and hypocritical.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (Riz8t)

31
First, Kurt Schlicter is turning into Andrew McCarthy.

Segundo, Ace doesn't see the Big Picture here.
President Trump might be doing this to get Democrats on record for supporting burning the US Flag, and their Democrat Jihadists will now make thousands of videos of them burning the flag. Not A Good Look.

Posted by: Soothsayer at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (l24zZ)

32 Would it be constitutional if it was made a hate crime?

I bet you'd go to jail if you burned a BLM flag on MLK Blvd in Baltimore on Juneteenth.

Posted by: Minuteman at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (/xerQ)

33 I do think it will draw out people who will dance on burning American flags while declaring Pride flags sacred. That's just a bonus.

Also SCOTUS said it was unconstitutional for district courts to enjoin the President nationwide and they still do it.

Posted by: blaster at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (RoO7G)

34 I guess i have trouble reconciling destruction of personal or government property as free speech.

Burn the flag you bought yourself - fine

Burn someone elses crime

Posted by: mark m at August 25, 2025 04:56 PM (xVmpv)

35 Bad order. Good politics.

Posted by: Frasier Crane

Perfect description of how the current Permanent Clusterfuck came into being to begin with.

Best I can see is its death creating precedent to nix the protections being extended to certain other symbols. I don't hold out much hope for that, though.

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at August 25, 2025 04:56 PM (OUMaO)

36 What were we all just saying about 2032?

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at August 25, 2025 04:57 PM (zhA6r)

37 Full text here:
http://tiny.cc/wznr001

The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment. This may include, but is not limited to, violent crimes; hate crimes, illegal discrimination against American citizens, or other violations of Americans’ civil rights; and crimes against property and the peace, as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate, and aiding and abetting others to violate, such laws.

I know first amendment law is a weird hodgepodge mess. Many people who argue against this EO will take the position of free speech absolutists and ignore there are generally uncontested restrictions on speech in the US today. Things like fraud and calls to immediate violence are not protected.

The EO seems to be doing some hair splitting. My non-lawyer read is saying you can still burn a flag in protest without running afoul of the EO. But if you do it as a call to violence or during an unruly protest, you can be charged.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 04:57 PM (lIio7)

38 In England their own flag is now illegal.

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 04:57 PM (unUNN)

39 This is when Trump's age really comes through. Like his instincts to "back the badge" or thinking anyone involved with the Pentagon must be a political ally.

It was a dumb issue then and it's a dumb issue now.

Posted by: Leupold at August 25, 2025 04:57 PM (4pwAx)

40 Why is he signing this other than to make the democrats take a stand to be in favor of burning the flga? This exact thing has already been ruled unconstitutional.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 25, 2025 04:57 PM (0N4FZ)

41 What it does is tell federal prosecutors that any crimes that INVOLVE burning the flag should be prosecuted to the fullest extent, or referred to state authorities for the same. But the activity must already be criminal on other grounds (such as vandalism, open burning violations, trespass, etc). It also calls for the denial/revocation of visas for foreign nationals who burn the flag, but that's not a criminal prosecution.

Then how can the left defend vandalizing crosswalks by painting them with rainbows? Consistency is a b***h.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 04:57 PM (Riz8t)

42 16 Trump and Vance in the Oval Office:

Sir, I can’t believe you got them to defend high crime rates in DC.

Wanna see me get them to defend burning the flag?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (u73oe)
-------------

Yep, He also working on mid-term ad visuals showing crazy libs burning the flag all in all the big cities.

Throw in the 17 year sentence for burning a lgbt flag and he's has himself a nice wedge issue.

Posted by: WisRich at August 25, 2025 04:58 PM (G0vdT)

43 As a party gets more confident, it starts dusting off its unpopular policies, checking to see if they'll fly now.

==

ISWYDT

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 04:58 PM (g47mK)

44 Some nitwit host on WMAL is advocating ignoring the fool that burns a US flag under the premise that the perp is torching the colors for attention and if we ALL ignore it, then the attention-seeker will move on.

That is rubbish, anyone who has a child knows that the antics keep ratcheting up until there is a reaction.

A better law would be fall under the Cincinnati Doctrine. If an idiot burns a flag, then getting beaten senseless by someone or some group who is offended is considered by law to be "asking for it". An arrest can be made, not of the ones performing the civic duty of beating the clod into a coma, but arresting the clod for Civil Unrest or the high crime of "Asking For It"®

This should get around the Free Speech arguments where, even the Pelosi Legal Theory where you can't cry wolf in a crowded theater.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 25, 2025 04:58 PM (U4c/V)

45 ‘ My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority.’

What does the EO actually say? Because if it says the above — linking flag burning to inciting violence or other violations of law — it might not be unconstitutional.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at August 25, 2025 04:58 PM (zhA6r)

46 Sounds to me like it might be a back door to establish precedence on (as you said) pride flags and the like.

Sure, shoot down the EO that is an obvious violation of free speech. But, that goes for all flags, murals, etc.

Posted by: Orson at August 25, 2025 04:58 PM (dIske)

47 I bet you'd go to jail if you burned a BLM flag on MLK Blvd in Baltimore on Juneteenth.

If you lived, yes.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 04:59 PM (Riz8t)

48 I burned my pants in protest, but they were at half staff.

Posted by: Third Degree Bernie at August 25, 2025 04:59 PM (G5+As)

49 > "Intent" is a horrible legal point.

What? Plenty of laws hinge on intent. If you kill a person, there are many different levels of charging and punishment depending on your intent.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 04:59 PM (lIio7)

50 In Kalifornia you go to jail for 10 years if you burn a Mexico flag.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at August 25, 2025 05:00 PM (17s+e)

51 The flag burning EO is only useful if you have biased courts that would enforce it; this is not the case.

I would have much rather he issued an EO that declared AWAR the Alaskan Alcatraz and started sending all the illegals their to drill for oil. OK fine. Judge Penis would have declared that unconstitutional and tied it up in court for a decade. I can still dream can't I?

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convicitions at August 25, 2025 05:02 PM (zdKZs)

52
Hahahaha,

Is This Something? I mean, is this real?

There is No Way this trailer (from 1981) is for a real movie.

"Knightriders"

https://is.gd/ZDM6Ky

Posted by: Soothsayer at August 25, 2025 05:02 PM (l24zZ)

53 Can a person buy their own "pride flag" and burn that, in a public place where burning is legal, and while not inciting a riot?

I'd guess it would still be called "hate speech", but that itself is not illegal. I haven't read details on the guy in jail (for like five years?), but it was a flag he had stolen. Still just a misdemeanor? How did he get five ? years?

Posted by: illiniwek at August 25, 2025 05:02 PM (vbXSk)

54 Trump has made it so that the entire 2028 Dem field will burn the flag at a debate stage.
Posted by: MikeN at August 25, 2025 04:52 PM (HVZOH)

---------------

Watch them put a burning flag on their X or TikTok profiles like they did with Ukrainian flags. Didn't Dems insist that dissent is the sincerest form of patriotism? They are certainly living up yo it.

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 05:02 PM (unUNN)

55 > Sure, shoot down the EO that is an obvious violation of free speech.

Is it obvious? The original SCOTUS case was a 5-4 decision and this EO lays out rules that allows one to burn the flag in protest. I don't think it's as clear cut as some people are arguing.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 05:03 PM (lIio7)

56 I'm willing to give the left another inch. Either no flags can be burned or all flags can be burned. No more special rules for leftists.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (viF8m)
---------

My position is exactly the same. Equal protection under the law.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at August 25, 2025 05:03 PM (tT6L1)

57 Hahahaha,

Is This Something? I mean, is this real?

There is No Way this trailer (from 1981) is for a real movie.

"Knightriders"

https://is.gd/ZDM6Ky
Posted by: Soothsayer at August 25, 2025 05:02 PM (l24zZ)
——

Definitely real. A young Ed Harris is the star.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at August 25, 2025 05:03 PM (zhA6r)

58 prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country,

Important distinction.

Posted by: t-bird at August 25, 2025 05:04 PM (Eo7gL)

59 nuts

Posted by: t-bird at August 25, 2025 05:04 PM (Eo7gL)

60 Kinda silly, I don't even think he thinks it will be constitutional, he's doing it to make the left burn flags.

Oh and they will in big street marches and protests.

My own opinion on the flag burners is if they paid for them and burn them, it's their money they are burning.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at August 25, 2025 05:04 PM (rvwwT)

61 Antifa routinely burns flags during their "protests". Given that the protests are really riots, does that mean that anyone identified as Antifa can be arrested? Could RICO be invoked?

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 05:04 PM (Riz8t)

62 The better EO would have been to declare burning a rainbow flag as freedom of expression

Posted by: Blanco at August 25, 2025 05:05 PM (q83gU)

63 Could desecration of the US flag ever be deemed a hate crime? Maybe that's part of the problem, ie, that there is no identifiable group being targeted when the flag is burned. So you can't go after flag burners under the hate crime statutes in the way they're used against kids burning rubber on the pride flag.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 25, 2025 05:05 PM (XvL8K)

64 The better EO would have been to declare burning a rainbow flag as freedom of expression
Posted by: Blanco

For the Win!

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at August 25, 2025 05:05 PM (zdKZs)

65 Maybe that's part of the problem, ie, that there is no identifiable group being targeted when the flag is burned.

Americans? Republicans? MAGA?

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 05:06 PM (Riz8t)

66 I still don't want speech outlawed.

I don't much care anymore. My speech has been de facto outlawed for years vis harassment campaigns targeted individually and at employers, targeting advertisers, bribing my ostensible spokesmen, debanking, all while the government and media have allowed, encouraged really, favored groups to say whatever they want.

This is just another "no more two sets of rules" issue for me. I'm not defending neutral principles for the benefit of people who won't extend me the same benefit.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at August 25, 2025 05:06 PM (guCHD)

67 I'd have hoped that stuff like Paxton's move with the Ten Commandments had waited until after the mid-terms, but I guess the GOP is looking to get out over their skis now so they can lose the House next year.

Posted by: Octochicken at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (oCS0o)

68 > I don't even think he thinks it will be constitutional, he's doing it to make the left burn flags.

I agree 100% that Trump is goading the left into burning US flags en masse.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (lIio7)

69 This EO makes the left try to square the "I love my country so much, I'm willing to burn the American Flag" circle.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (tT6L1)

70 The better EO would have been to declare burning a rainbow flag as freedom of expression
Posted by: Blanco

More to the point, one could take a picture of a pride flag shoved up one's fundament, a la Robert Mapplethorpe. That would really anger the...

Never mind.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (Riz8t)

71 Even though the EO does not make me happy, and I still do not believe it’s okay, it doesn’t say all flag burning will now be illegal. It says the burning of the flag that is likely to incite “imminent lawless action” and is in accordance with enforcing laws currently out there. Specifically:

Sec. 2. Measures to Combat Desecration of the American Flag. (a) The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment. This may include, but is not limited to, violent crimes; hate crimes, illegal discrimination against American citizens, or other violations of Americans’ civil rights; and crimes against property and the peace, as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate, and aiding and abetting others to violate, such laws.

Posted by: Piper at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (2N3ca)

72 I'm in favor of this EO. There are clearly limits to free speech and this should have been one of the 50 years ago.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (xcxpd)

73 I can't agree with him here.

He runs the government and executes the laws passed by Congress. He doesn't run the Law.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (krQz2)

74 Whenever you hear of someone being jailed for Flag Burning, the first question that should pop into your mind is: 'Whose flag?'.

If it is their flag, they are in jail for Flag Burning.

If it is someone else's flag, they are in in jail for something else entirely.

Posted by: garrett at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (Z1dZR)

75 63 Could desecration of the US flag ever be deemed a hate crime?
..
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba+
-------------

All "hate crime" bs laws need to go. A crime is a crime.
They are just a lever used to punish normal people more severely.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:08 PM (bXONb)

76 Is burning the Koran still allowed?

Posted by: PG at August 25, 2025 05:08 PM (gQbO4)

77 Gee, thanks for the Nood, You Reprobates.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:08 PM (77rzZ)

78 "Things like fraud and calls to immediate violence are not protected."

also not a lawyer, but fraud is illegal because it is fraud, not a free speech issue? Inciting violence the same ... not really a free speech issue, it is the threatening/encouraging violence that is the criminal act.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 25, 2025 05:08 PM (vbXSk)

79 Is it obvious? The original SCOTUS case was a 5-4 decision and this EO lays out rules that allows one to burn the flag in protest. I don't think it's as clear cut as some people are arguing.
Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 05:03 PM (lIio7)
_________________________________

You are under no obligation to explain why you are burning the flag. How, exactly, does the court determine that you are burning it in protest.

What am I thinking now?

Posted by: Orson at August 25, 2025 05:08 PM (dIske)

80 So it looks like it is giving our Country’s flag the same protections afforded to rainbow flags.

Both should be burnable, however.

Posted by: Piper at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (2N3ca)

81 >> What does the EO actually say? Because if it says the above — linking flag burning to inciting violence or other violations of law

Will Cain had some lawyer on saying just this. The headline is it "bans flag burning". It really just says, if you burn a flag, and in doing so, are doing something else that is violating state or local law, then go after it on that.

I'd call this a publicity stunt type thing. Make a big deal about "Flag burning bad!" but not really trying to ban it directly, which would be a First Amendment violation.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (w6EFb)

82 As stray voltage, I approve.

As actual policies, I'm meh.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (NwfFc)

83 Democrats are already heading to court to challenge this EO. Bank on it. Democrats continue to lose the PR war and cannot understand why.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (tT6L1)

84 What does the EO actually say?

It's a pretty good read. Well-crafted. Go to whitehouse.gov and look for 'Executive Actions'

Posted by: t-bird at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (Eo7gL)

85 I'd have hoped that stuff like Paxton's move with the Ten Commandments had waited until after the mid-terms, but I guess the GOP is looking to get out over their skis now so they can lose the House next year.

Posted by: Octochicken

Your concern is:
(X) Jejune
( ) Not jejune

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (Riz8t)

86 Political Math, just what 'worst opinions about conservatives and the GOP' are validated by displaying The Ten Commandments?

Say it out loud, you heathen.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (xcxpd)

87 I still don't want speech outlawed.
---
I think there's a good case that burning something isn't "speech".

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (krQz2)

88 ***I don't like this at all.
---

My cousin's husband said, 'my god (his god is not our god), he's going to turn the country back fifty years'. His math was about ten years short. hahahah
Trump remembers the old days when auntie could take a walk around the block at midnight with no worries.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (c35xG)

89 I have zero respect for anyone who flew the Flag upside down. Cuck move.

Posted by: Lincolntf at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (vV6n9)

90 I have zero respect for anyone who flew the Flag upside down. Cuck move.

==

why ?

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:10 PM (g47mK)

91 I don't like using the term but I do agree that burning fags should definitely be illegal.

What? Ohhh.

Never mind.

Posted by: Emily Litella at August 25, 2025 05:10 PM (PiwSw)

92 I guess the GOP is looking to get out over their skis now so they can lose the House next year.

Posted by: Octochicken

---
In the mold of Lindsay Let's-ban-all-abortions Graham.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:10 PM (krQz2)

93 Trump is old enough to remember when this was a big issue -- during the VN war protests.

He probably also remembers that it was very divisive, with the 5% dirty hippy constituency adamantly in favor of it, and the 95% if normal people somewhere between "Love it or Leave it" and "shoot on sight."

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (bXONb)

94 I think Trump doesn’t really think he can make burning an American flag a jailable offense.

But. If you can burn an American flag without punishment, you can burn a fag flag. Or a BLM flag. Or any other foreign flag.

I think it’s a good move.

Posted by: nurse ratched at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (W2Pud)

95 Trump has mentioned this many times over the years

That being said, I hope it's not a own-goal.

But that being said, anytime I think Trump is setting up an own-goal, it ends up hurting the Dems more.

So I reserve judgment.

Posted by: Iasonas at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (gUzGB)

96 The better EO would have been to declare burning a rainbow flag as freedom of expression
Posted by: Blanco

For the Win!
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at August 25, 2025 05:05 PM (zdKZs)

This is the way.

Posted by: mrp at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (rj6Yv)

97 when it is ruled unconstitutional, will that void all the convictions of people jailed for burning pride flags and leaving tire marks on painted intersections?

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (rbvCR)

98 The devil is in the details, and the actual EO text makes this out to be much much weaker than it might sound.

That said, I think it's bait to trick the left into 1) putting out a lot of video of themselves burning flags, and 2) to get them to argue against their own "hate crimes" nonsense for burning other flags.

Posted by: can of spam at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (7oNMO)

99 It says the burning of the flag that is likely to incite “imminent lawless action”...
-------
I like it even less. I should be able to burn a Hamas flag EVEN THOUGH worthless Muslims may in response turn violent.

Posted by: Crusader at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (TN0g+)

100 89 I have zero respect for anyone who flew the Flag upside down. Cuck move.
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (vV6n9)

Bold words and bizarre use of the word 'cuck'.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (xcxpd)

101 @runner, It signals distress/surrender/weakness.

Posted by: Lincolntf at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (vV6n9)

102
You are under no obligation to explain why you are burning the flag. How, exactly, does the court determine that you are burning it in protest.

What am I thinking now?

Exactly. It's like when SCOTUS decided that strippers were legal because they were exercising legitimate free expression. What constitutes a protest? If I say it is, is it?

Posted by: Archimedes at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (Riz8t)

103 William Lloyd Garrison once burned a copy of the Constitution because it permitted slavery. That to me is far more troublesome than burning a flag.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:12 PM (77rzZ)

104 What's special about the fucking pride flag?
Posted by: night lifted at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (/YboP)

Because not submissively bowing down to anyone flying it is the moral equivalent of murder, H8tr

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:12 PM (rbvCR)

105 Remember, Blue Zone Police/Prosecutors were going after people for painting over pride flags that were painted on the street

Posted by: Iasonas at August 25, 2025 05:12 PM (gUzGB)

106 Yeah, this looks less like an anti-flag burning law than a directive that flag burning does not exempt people from the consequences of breaking other laws. What it seems to be directing is that criminals should no longer get a pass just because they broke the law in furtherance of burning a flag.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 25, 2025 05:12 PM (EXyHK)

107 Personally, I find some people's devotion to the flag to be borderline idolatrous.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (77rzZ)

108 why ?
Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:10 PM (g47mK)

Because everyone thinks your boat is sinking and call the coast guard.

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (rbvCR)

109 Will Cain had some lawyer on saying just this. The headline is it "bans flag burning". It really just says, if you burn a flag, and in doing so, are doing something else that is violating state or local law, then go after it on that.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at August 25, 2025 05:09 PM (w6EFb)
---
Well, that's okay then. If you can't just burn a bag of garbage 3 feet from kids on a public sidewalk, it makes sense that you can't burn a flag in the same context.

Trust the Get-nothing-right press to get nothing right again.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (krQz2)

110 As far as own goals go...this is a pretty tepid one.

Posted by: garrett at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (Z1dZR)

111 Your concern is:
(X) Jejune
( ) Not jejune
Posted by: Archimedes
----------------

Sounds like one of those fruity umbrella drinks.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (c35xG)

112 The country went through this turmoil the in late sixties, early seventies. Gave a lot of attention to low-lifes who abused the flag. Great arguments: could the flag be painted anywhere? Distorted? Burned?
Could it be worn?

The flag proved far stronger than all these a****les

Posted by: JM in Illinois at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (hubkZ)

113 90 I'm in favor of this EO. There are clearly limits to free speech and this should have been one of the 50 years ago.

I am not. If Hillary had won 2016 ? Burning the flag would have been punishable by death by now. But it wouldn't be purple-haired Karens lighting the match.

Again - the G.K. Chesterton view of the world. Conservatives always look at this stuff from a view of majority. Which is odd - because you folks haven't been in charge of culture for fifty years.
Posted by: Call It What It Is at August 25, 2025 05:10 PM (6TOXs)

In G. K. Chesterton's world, if you burned the Union Jack, they landed Royal Marines to kick your ass.

Your opinion is
[ x ] Noted
[ ] Not Noted

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (xcxpd)

114 ace you're right about a complacent/over-confident party getting worse (well, it's a particular GOP problem really).

But a related and I think more serious problem is that the worse/weaker the Dems are, the worse the GOP can be.

By "worse" I mean in terms of reverting to their norm of fanatically (but quietly, dishonestly) opposing blocking and undoing any real important policy achievements.

No real competition, safe seat, mostly (still) uninformed lazy undisciplined electorate = talk like Trump every 2-6 years, act like McConnell most of the time.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (U/Byj)

115 24 Instead of "outlawing" burning the Flag via executive order, how about we just bring Rick Monday out of retirement and let him beat the sh*t out of any punks performatively burning the Flag?

One real 'Merican versus ten Antifa punks is not a fair fight ... for the Antifa soy-boys.
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 25, 2025 04:54 PM (HlyYF)

Monday is a true American hero.

Posted by: CaliGirl at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (fGmWu)

116 @runner, It signals distress/surrender/weakness.
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (vV6n9)



I thought is was to express extreme danger. Which, many people thought and I agree, was appropriate for Biden years. And Obama years.

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (g47mK)

117 I think Trump is trying to bait libtards into burning flags in protest, not planning to prosecute them for it. He just wants a spectacle of their stupidity.

Which still doesn't make this policy just or wise.

And I don't even agree that burning a flag is protected speech. I just think it's stupid to try to prohibit it.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (GD2xa)

118 This EO is the proof they have been looking for Trump is literally worse than Hitler.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (/lPRQ)

119 I think this city is GARBAGE!!

So, each day I burn my GARBAGE in front of CITY HALL!

Because SPEEEEEEECH!!!

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (krQz2)

120 Yes, Bulg, people assign value to symbols. Call it Idolatry, but it's really just Humanity.

Posted by: Lincolntf at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (vV6n9)

121 The headline is it "bans flag burning".

And because that's the headline, Dem opposition is to that headline, in everyone's minds. It's brilliant.

Posted by: t-bird at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (Eo7gL)

122 108 Personally, I find some people's devotion to the flag to be borderline idolatrous.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (77rzZ)

Patriotism is considered weird by a lot of....people.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

123 I read someone had the take this is a shiny object to distract the dems and maybe even make them burn up legal money trying to get it struck down while PDT pursues important things, plus force the left to defend flag burning. Sounds persuasive to me.

Posted by: docweasel at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (IuCAX)

124 What's special about the fucking pride flag?
Posted by: night lifted at August 25, 2025 04:50 PM (/YboP)

If you use it to wipe your dick off after sodomy, I believe the brown represents some other group of marginalized gaytards. That's kinda special.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (guCHD)

125 I still don't want speech outlawed.

I don't much care anymore. My speech has been de facto outlawed for years vis harassment campaigns targeted individually and at employers, targeting advertisers, bribing my ostensible spokesmen, debanking, all while the government and media have allowed, encouraged really, favored groups to say whatever they want.

This is just another "no more two sets of rules" issue for me. I'm not defending neutral principles for the benefit of people who won't extend me the same benefit.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at August 25, 2025 05:06 PM (guCHD)

----------------

I am at this point as well. Everything I hold dear has been muddied yet I have no recourse or even the right to frown.

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (unUNN)

126 I don't know. I'm OK with it. Oh, burning a FLAG. That's different.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, We're Living On Land Stolen From the Dinosaur! at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (L/fGl)

127 108 Personally, I find some people's devotion to the flag to be borderline idolatrous.
Posted by: Bulg
------------------------

Some of us use the word patriotic.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (c35xG)

128 Did you grow up around the "take your hat off indoors" generation ? This is nothing new.
Posted by: Call It What It Is

I still usually take my hat off indoors. What has that got to do with anything.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (77rzZ)

129 > You are under no obligation to explain why you are burning the flag. How, exactly, does the court determine that you are burning it in protest. What am I thinking now?

Proving intent in a court of law is not new and it doesn't involve any sort of mind reading.

Direct evidence can be used such as statements or communications made before the event.

Circumstantial evidence that implies intent can be established by things like actions, circumstances, or patterns of behavior. Intentionally trying to hide the purchase of lighter fluid before a flag burning might be this sort of evidence.

Courts also use testimony from people who know the accused and can help establish state of mind.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (lIio7)

130 meh

stray voltage, trolling commies, who cares?

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (ppG5b)

131 Yeah some Commisar Judge will negate it, but burn a Cultural Marxist Flag and that judge will throw you in jail

Posted by: Skip at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (+qU29)

132 >>Did you grow up around the "take your hat off indoors" generation ? This is nothing new.


I run into a lot of "There's a Lady Present" out on the Trails, here.
Usually some Wilfred Brimley cosplaying cowboy on a horse with his wife...I always reply with "I don't see anyone riding side saddle.".

Posted by: garrett at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (Z1dZR)

133 [WILLOWED:]

Let's start a Give Send Go to raise money for rhomboid!

Posted by: ShainS

---------------

That extra $10 would probably be enough to get him over the top!

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at August 25, 2025 04:45 PM (tT6L1)

-------------

LMAO, well played, blake.

Assuming you're attending this year, wifey and I are looking forward to meeting you (and your wife?) at our first TX MoMe In a couple months.

Meeting what like over a thousand miles away (?) when we're almost, relatively speaking, neighbors ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Black Lives Don't Matter Now That Trump Is Saving Them In DC at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (WGRoS)

134 108 Personally, I find some people's devotion to the flag to be borderline idolatrous.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (77rzZ)

____________________________

Ok, now consider that Betsy Ross had a nice rack.

Posted by: Orson at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (dIske)

135 Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 04:59 PM (lIio7)

And most of those laws are f*cking stupid.

That is how we get additional penalties for racially motivated crimes.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (L5An7)

136 Personally, I find some people's devotion to the flag to be borderline idolatrous.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:13 PM (77rzZ)


"No Gods before me". Appreciating symbols and flags is not what you think it is.

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (g47mK)

137 Did you grow up around the "take your hat off indoors" generation ? This is nothing new.
Posted by: Call It What It Is

I still usually take my hat off indoors. What has that got to do with anything.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (77rzZ)
---
You can leave the hat on.

Posted by: Joe Cockher at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (krQz2)

138 So if I burn a Pride Flag I get a year's worth of jail credit. Is that how this works?

Posted by: torabora at August 25, 2025 05:16 PM (KtOUo)

139 The SC found that flag burning was protected expression under the First Amendment. A person could be charged with starting an illegal fire, but not because it's the US flag.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 25, 2025 05:17 PM (rRoxM)

140 Prosecute it as a misdemeanor ( public disturbance, etc ) but then top it with a hate crime enhancement.

Oh, wait hate crimes are ok now? No, one standard or none at all. ( yes, I know this would require individual prosecutors to carry it out and they probably wouldn't considering how far Soros prosecutors have been installed, but still... )

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 25, 2025 05:17 PM (mlg/3)

141 Posted by: Call It What It Is at August 25, 2025 04:55 PM (6TOXs)

Ok. I'll call it what it is, ( not that you're an it) what else have you read by Chesterton, you man of many handle or is it one tagline ?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 25, 2025 05:17 PM (2GCMq)

142 >> Well, that's okay then. If you can't just burn a bag of garbage 3 feet from kids on a public sidewalk, it makes sense that you can't burn a flag in the same context.

Or, say there's a burn-ban in effect due to dry weather and wildfire risk. You can burn anything. Free speech doesn't give you a pass to burn a flag just because it's speech. You can't burn anything.

The EO just tells the AG, if you see something like this, make sure the local officials know that someone is vioilating the burn ban, and you ought to prosecute.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at August 25, 2025 05:17 PM (w6EFb)

143 *Delurking*

Yup Ace, I agree. Neither one of these moves are helpful to the cause. Scares away the ones in the middle.

I'm not sure how this helps Trump. He needs to concentrate on the real issues. This isn't one of them.

Looks like Paxton is trying to lose primary and general election.

Stupid twits.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at August 25, 2025 05:18 PM (w3u3d)

144 Maryland Man transitions in to Ugandan Man...

Howie Carr Chump Line

Posted by: Mister Ghost at August 25, 2025 05:18 PM (TGPs7)

145 yeah this one is the dumbest so far

and they weren't all gems

oh well! it's Monday

Posted by: Black Orchid at August 25, 2025 05:18 PM (Pv3Rg)

146 108 Personally, I find some people's devotion to the flag to be borderline idolatrous.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05

It’s not the flag itself, it is what it represents. To me, it represents the freedom so many have died to preserve. I

Posted by: Piper at August 25, 2025 05:18 PM (2N3ca)

147 I still usually take my hat off indoors. What has that got to do with anything.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (77rzZ)

Man of many handles has his usual bugaboos.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 25, 2025 05:18 PM (2GCMq)

148 Make Uganda Great Again.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 25, 2025 05:19 PM (wAW6P)

149 Once upon a time in this country we could assemble in large groups outside abortion clinics and there was *zero* worry that such assembly would be prosecuted. I've learned that during the last few years that's no longer the case in this country. I don't know how prosecution of such assembly could ever survive appeal, but apparently it has?

Posted by: Crusader at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (TN0g+)

150 "Intent" is a horrible legal point.

Is the action illegal? Yes or no.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo


Now do hate crimes.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (L9gr5)

151 Maybe we should criminalize setting yourself on fire so we can cull the herd.

Posted by: torabora at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (KtOUo)

152 Simple for me...

"Fighting Words" are not covered by the first Amendment.

If you call my Momma a Whore... you are trying to incite a violent reaction... just like burning the Flag.

It's like when Protesters get within inches of you to try to invoke a reaction... well, you have invaded my Personal space to the place where I no longer feel safe... YOUR Rights stop, where mine begins... but somehow the Lefty Lawfare folks don't see that.

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (mP0Kj)

153 Someone should make some toilet paper that looks like a pride flag. Offensive ... umm, it's just a rainbow for my arse.

Of course it would have to be sold on Ebay, from an undisclosed location -- Cuz those committed leftist loons are violent.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (vbXSk)

154 William Lloyd Garrison once burned a copy of the Constitution because it permitted slavery. That to me is far more troublesome than burning a flag.
Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:12 PM (77rzZ)

Many people felt that exact way, but still condemn Lysander Spooner for his stance on the Constitution within contract law.

Garrison felt the Constitution was a corrupt instrument because it allowed slavery and enforced it, where his understanding of the intent of the Constitution was that it was specifically designed to free mankind, not enslave a portion of it.

Spooner argued that the Constitution was a contract that had plain language establishing what it intended, and that plain language needed to be tortured by poorly supported interpretation to allow it to support slavery. His argument was that if a cabal of men combined in secret to create a contract that enforced the very things it openly forbad, no honest court in the world would support them.

Garrison saw the Constitution as a corrupt agreement, Spooner saw it as a contract interpreted corruptly.

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (rbvCR)

155 Posted by: Call It What It Is at August 25, 2025 05:19 PM (6TOXs)

Not sure what your underlying point is.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (77rzZ)

156 "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
----------

Desecrating the flag desecrates everything we are as a people.
Never let it touch the ground.



Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (c35xG)

157 The actual language is here:

https://tinyurl.com/43xu5nww

Posted by: Piper at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (2N3ca)

158 Funny, "jejune" was part of a good scene in Love and Death. Or was that another Woody flick? Anyway I recall Diane Keaton in the scene, which doesn't really narrow the movie down much.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (U/Byj)

159 What would be the penalty for setting yourself on fire?

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (wAW6P)

160 when it is ruled unconstitutional, will that void all the convictions of people jailed for burning pride flags and leaving tire marks on painted intersections?
Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:11 PM (rbvCR)

--------------

Hater!

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (unUNN)

161 This is why we were losing before Trump. Some are arguing that burning the flag is protected by the first amendment. Meanwhile, the left was jailing people for protesting outside abortion clinics.

Look, I didn’t want the new rules…

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (u73oe)

162 @158, Annie Hall

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 25, 2025 05:22 PM (rRoxM)

163 Je suis le jeume ve.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 25, 2025 05:22 PM (wAW6P)

164 This could be Trolling Leftists into showing the reality H8 the USA

Posted by: Skip at August 25, 2025 05:22 PM (+qU29)

165 I wish he wouldn't waste his time on stuff like this.

Posted by: butch at August 25, 2025 05:22 PM (98xTj)

166 128 I don't know. I'm OK with it. Oh, burning a FLAG. That's different.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, We're Living On Land Stolen From the Dinosaur! at August 25, 2025 05:15 PM (L/fGl)

Throw another WHAT?

https://tinyurl.com/58b2zb5w

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at August 25, 2025 05:23 PM (GD2xa)

167 Oh, and maybe now I get it - the $10 was to get me over the top to buy Amadea.

Nah. Boat/ship is too showy. Plus the fuel costs. Looks like just the hospitality staff would be 10 or more. No helipad. No davits lifting jet-skis out of fold-away compartments (saw this on a yacht in Sea of Cortez years ago, great, very Bond-ish).

Gonna leave the Amadea auction to the rest of you.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 25, 2025 05:23 PM (U/Byj)

168 I'm willing to give the left another inch. Either no flags can be burned or all flags can be burned. No more special rules for leftists.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 25, 2025 04:53 PM (viF8m)

-------------

Correct -- this is the way.

Posted by: ShainS -- Black Lives Don't Matter Now That Trump Is Saving Them In DC at August 25, 2025 05:23 PM (WGRoS)

169 We live in a culture where half the voting population thinks its okay to punch anyone they unilaterally deem a Nazi (which is the other half of the voting population), but I'm supposed to be outraged that those same assholes will have to choose one of many other objects other than the flag to start fires in public. I can't have a MAGA sticker on my car because I'd like my car to remain intact, but I'm supposed to care about this? Sometimes I just cannot muster the fucks modern political sensibilities insist upon.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (guCHD)

170 Oh - bid deposit is $10M for the auction.

Check your couches and drawers for loose change.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (U/Byj)

171 What would be the penalty for setting yourself on fire?
Posted by: Boss Moss

Being warm for the rest of your life.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (77rzZ)

172 Let it be:

The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in Texas v. Johnson (1989) that burning an American flag is a form of "symbolic speech" protected by the First Amendment, making state and federal laws banning flag desecration unconstitutional. The Court found that even offensive speech, such as flag burning in protest, is protected unless it incites imminent violence or creates a clear danger to public safety. Subsequent attempts to pass federal laws banning flag desecration, such as the Flag Protection Act of 1989, were also struck down by the Court.
-----
But the left says:
Brennen Center org: Alito and His Upside-Down Flag Make the Case for Supreme Court Term Limits

The justice’s contempt for ethical standards demonstrates the poisonous effects of too much power for too long.

Michael Waldman
May 22, 2024
---
And WHY ARE HATE CRIMES ALLEGED AROUND THE COUNTRY?

NBC News,
4 could be charged with hate crimes for destroying LGBTQ pride flags, Atlanta police say, June 2025

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (NFX2v)

173 This is why we were losing before Trump. Some are arguing that burning the flag is protected by the first amendment. Meanwhile, the left was jailing people for protesting outside abortion clinics.

Look, I didn’t want the new rules…
Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (u73oe)
---
I don't think the Who Can Arbitrarily Jail More People contest is a good thing to engage in.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (krQz2)

174 Now do hate crimes.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (L9gr5)

Exactly!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (L5An7)

175 I wish he wouldn't waste his time on stuff like this.
Posted by: butch at August 25, 2025 05:22 PM (98xTj)

Eight staffers to write it up and four lawyers to proof it.
Fifteen minutes to print
One minute to sign
Five minutes to talk about it and preen.

He literally took as much time personally as Biden did putting his pants on every morning

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (rbvCR)

176 > Now do hate crimes.

No, hate crimes are the easy question. The far harder question is what about killing a person. Should every death be charged as murder in the first degree?

If we're going to be intellectually honest about ignoring intent, that's what we get, right? There's no difference between defending yourself, accidental homicide, and intentional homicide if you don't consider intent.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (lIio7)

177 Desecrating the flag desecrates everything we are as a people.
Never let it touch the ground.



Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (c35xG)

Petty Officer Dumbfk (looks like Shrek) dropped the flag in the river. What do we do?

- things you get asked in the Navy

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (S2loq)

178 149 Once upon a time in this country we could assemble in large groups outside abortion clinics and there was *zero* worry that such assembly would be prosecuted. I've learned that during the last few years that's no longer the case in this country. I don't know how prosecution of such assembly could ever survive appeal, but apparently it has?
Posted by: Crusader at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (TN0g+)

Especially seeing as how Abortion is no longer a Supreme Court created Right... but is left up to the Politics of the State Legislatures... meaning Abortion is a Political question...

How can you NOT have protests, around Politics?

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (mP0Kj)

179 What would be the penalty for setting yourself on fire?

Posted by: Boss Moss
---
It will go on your permanent record!

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (krQz2)

180 There's a penumbra emanating from the entrance to the baby killing abattoirs that criminalizes free speech.

What that is is case specific. Verrry undefined.

Posted by: torabora at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (KtOUo)

181 This is going to backfire.

Moderate "GOP curious" constitutional scholars and libertarians (who are not too stoned to forget) will run from MAGA and GOP because of this.

All 7 of them.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:25 PM (bXONb)

182 Smell the Glove, thanks. That was my second guess.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 25, 2025 05:26 PM (U/Byj)

183 In G. K. Chesterton's world, if you burned the Union Jack, they landed Royal Marines to kick your ass.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:14 PM (xcxpd)

--------------

In today's England if you hoist the Union Jack or St George Cross flag you go to jail while Hamas flags fly everywhere.

Posted by: Decaf at August 25, 2025 05:26 PM (unUNN)

184 151 Maybe we should criminalize setting yourself on fire so we can cull the herd.
Posted by: torabora at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (KtOUo)

No, let them. Suicide should not be a crime. If someone wants to end it all, let them.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at August 25, 2025 05:26 PM (w3u3d)

185 Chesterton wrote about 27 books in addition to maybe hundreds of short stories and essays, man of many handles? How many have you read ?, but you keep trotting out "chesterton's fence "? Why do t you argue your own points without a Chesterton tag ?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 25, 2025 05:26 PM (2GCMq)

186 What would be the penalty for setting yourself on fire?
Posted by: Boss Moss

the monastery takes your orange robe away

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:26 PM (rbvCR)

187 But a related and I think more serious problem is that the worse/weaker the Dems are, the worse the GOP can be.

That fits under my Social Misery Homeostasis Theory where society can never enjoy peace, prosperity and ease of life because there is always some schmuck who sees that as freedom to screw things up.

OTOH, when things get really bad, society moves towards jettisoning those destructive luxury beliefs that brought upon the crippling of the means to even survive.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 25, 2025 05:27 PM (U4c/V)

188 I don't think the Who Can Arbitrarily Jail More People contest is a good thing to engage in.
Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (krQz2)

——————

There can’t be two sets of rules.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:27 PM (u73oe)

189 I don't see how this EO could even be challenged in court. What is there to rule on? That the administration can't prioritize certain prosecutions under existing laws?

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 25, 2025 05:27 PM (XvL8K)

190 Question, is this just a way for Pres. Trump to get people to burn the American Flag and show how crazy they are? Trump has a gift to get the left to embrace the worst positions on everything, is this just another move to get them to look like the anti-Americans they really are???

Posted by: 4d Chess at August 25, 2025 05:27 PM (YMUI7)

191
Watch the reaction if someone burns Gay, Tranny or the Palestinian flag.

Posted by: YIKES! at August 25, 2025 05:28 PM (OgWfa)

192 >>>Petty Officer Dumbfk (looks like Shrek) dropped the flag in the river. What do we do?

- things you get asked in the Navy
Posted by: sniffybigtoe
-------------------------------

What is the Navy's response?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:28 PM (c35xG)

193 There can’t be two sets of rules.
Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:27 PM (u73oe)

How about handicapping? Is handicapping allowed?

Posted by: Kindltot` at August 25, 2025 05:28 PM (rbvCR)

194 Desecrating the flag desecrates everything we are as a people.
Never let it touch the ground.


Part of my attitude toward the flag is that handling one triggers my OCD. I'm afraid I'm going to inadvertently do something that would be considered disrespectful.

I once had to lead a bunch of Navy folks taking down the flag at the end of the day at DLI. But I had strict rules to follow, so it all went well.

But now I'd be afraid to handle a flag after looking at boobs on the internet.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:29 PM (77rzZ)

195 >>And that's not your fault. Our "free speech" moderator - Dildo - is running around deleting my posts and changing others because he's a 1st Amendment kind of guy until he isn't.


You can't be this retarded.

CBD isn't a Federal Agent and you aren't in a Public Space.

Posted by: garrett at August 25, 2025 05:29 PM (Z1dZR)

196 Sniffing big toe- like the arc of the covenant

Posted by: Grammie's phone at August 25, 2025 05:29 PM (aQObB)

197 92 I guess the GOP is looking to get out over their skis now so they can lose the House next year.

Posted by: Octochicken

---
In the mold of Lindsay Let's-ban-all-abortions Graham.
Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:10 PM (krQz2)

My observation as well good sir.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at August 25, 2025 05:29 PM (w3u3d)

198 lol CIWII

no CBD is doing that because you're glowing too much this time

tone it down a bit

Posted by: Black Orchid at August 25, 2025 05:29 PM (Pv3Rg)

199 Here is the problem that I have with this.

I think we have too many laws and this one is clearly a restriction of our GOD given right to do whatever the fuck we want as long as it does not materially affect someone else.

I prefer we get back to a society where if someone wants to burn the flag -- go for it. And let "Joe" (anyone remember that movie?) and all other patriots beat the shit out of him with cops looking the other way and no witnesses.

People should be proud of this country and if they aren't "America, love it or leave it."

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:29 PM (bXONb)

200 No, hate crimes are the easy question. The far harder question is what about killing a person. Should every death be charged as murder in the first degree?

If we're going to be intellectually honest about ignoring intent, that's what we get, right? There's no difference between defending yourself, accidental homicide, and intentional homicide if you don't consider intent.
Posted by: bonhomme


No. Charging someone double because they offed a faggot.

You can really look inside someone and determine what was in their heart when they did it? And get it correct 100 % of the time?

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (L9gr5)

201 I am heading back to lurk land before I get into trouble.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (w3u3d)

202 Maybe we should criminalize setting yourself on fire so we can cull the herd.
Posted by: torabora at August 25, 2025 05:20 PM (KtOUo)

No, let them. Suicide should not be a crime. If someone wants to end it all, let them.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at August 25, 2025 05:26 PM


Sorry but no. People trying to overdose, set themselves on fire, etc. are now a protected class. We must help them no matter the cost. There is/was one guy in Lexington, KY 8 years ago that od'ed 23 times in 18 months and was brought back to life with narcan each time at the cost of over $1,000. I was called an animal, heartless and sick because I brought up the fact that if he really wants to kill himself we should let him.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (0N4FZ)

203 "Now all the masked Democrat communists will be out burning American flags."

----------------

Now? That ship sailed a long, long time ago.

Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (eYAt4)

204 The Progs go on an American flag burning rampage.
Go for it because the optics of that aren't going to be in their favor. Once again PDT has these idiots shooting themselves in the foot.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (dxWFK)

205 Petty Officer Dumbfk (looks like Shrek) dropped the flag in the river. What do we do?

Keelhaul the idiot.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (U4c/V)

206 This is why we were losing before Trump. Some are arguing that burning the flag is protected by the first amendment. Meanwhile, the left was jailing people for protesting outside abortion clinics.

Look, I didn’t want the new rules…
Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (u73oe)
+_This is why we were losing before Trump. Some are arguing that burning the flag is protected by the first amendment. Meanwhile, the left was jailing people for protesting outside abortion clinics.

Look, I didn’t want the new rules…
Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:21 PM (u73oe)
=============

Before January, 2017, the Dems ran amok disregarding the Bill of Rights. DJT's crowning achievement was nominating conservative justices to the Supreme Court. All the SC could do was stymie the Commie juggernaut during the Biden Years, at least to some degree. Starting in January, 2025, with control of both chambers in Congress, all the pieces were in place for the most substantive legislative and judicial housecleaning since the end of the Civil War. Where is Roe v. Wade now? Where is the FBI infiltration program against parental rights activists? Trad Catholic parishes?

Posted by: mrp at August 25, 2025 05:31 PM (rj6Yv)

207 The "Hate Crime" idiocy started before W. A guy on my sports team was the top Hill rep for a major "civil rights" organization. When this idiocy surfaced, I asked him in the locker room about it. He sort of cut me off, saying "don't even ask" with a disgusted look on his face. He was no conservative, just a smart guy who understood the "hate crime" nonsense was unconstitutional and ridiculous. Remember Congress degraded itself and the country by actually adopting laws containing this absurd concept. Like much else this wasn't imposed on the country, it was welcomed or tolerated by an electorate that went along with it.

Posted by: rhomboid at August 25, 2025 05:31 PM (U/Byj)

208 > 72 I'm in favor of this EO. There are clearly limits to free speech and this should have been one of the 50 years ago.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 25, 2025 05:07 PM (xcxpd)

The problem is that no one agrees on what those "limits" should be.

Me, I'm with Mr. Jefferson, who said (in another context) that unless it picks your pocket or breaks your leg, it's not a real issue.

Pointing a gun at someone and saying "I'm going to kill you": real damage.
Burning a flag: not.

(with, of course, exceptions for situations where, e.g., burning a flag (or anything) might set a building on fire, or whatever)

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 25, 2025 05:31 PM (qpyNK)

209 No, let them. Suicide should not be a crime. If someone wants to end it all, let them.

Just travel to Canada and tell a government official that you are not feeling well and let them work the process.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 25, 2025 05:31 PM (U4c/V)

210 I don't think the Who Can Arbitrarily Jail More People contest is a good thing to engage in.
Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:24 PM (krQz2)

——————

There can’t be two sets of rules.
Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:27 PM (u73oe)
---
Yes, but there can be varying qualities with which the laws are enforced.

Corrupt and fair.

We don't have to start betraying every standard we claim to uphold just because the other side never meant it, EXCEPT where they favored the implementation.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:32 PM (krQz2)

211 There is nothing in the constitution that supports or proscribes slavery.

Slavery was an imposition of the colonial powers and not an American Construct.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at August 25, 2025 05:32 PM (1xs3+)

212 Easy ... they're wrong. Thank "W".

Dragging someone behind a truck is wrong. Doesn't matter if its whites driving, or blacks. Doesn't matter if the victim is Jew or Gentile.

All "W" did was feed into the notion of creating victim classes.
Posted by: Call It What It Is


And the cracker goes down for it and all other races get a pass.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:32 PM (L9gr5)

213 Regarding Texas and the ten commandments, KP is simply instructing schools to follow state law. If you don't like it, change the law.

Posted by: Indy Bill at August 25, 2025 05:32 PM (+WI3k)

214 This is ridiculous. This kind of thing is a vote-loser and validates a lot of the worst opinions about conservatives and the GOP. https://t.co/9y1CuqT05Y

— PoIiMath (@politicalmath) August 25, 2025

I agree with those who think this is either a nothing burger, or another chance to put the Bolshevik's on the wrong side of the 80/20.

Posted by: toby928 at August 25, 2025 05:33 PM (jc0TO)

215 The Ten Commandments in classrooms is dumb as shit and worse, it's high-visibility to anyone who has kids. This is an 80/20 that we're on the wrong end of and Paxton isn't doing us any favors here. And I say that as someone who wanted him as head of DOJ and still intend vote for him against Cornyn in the primary. Doesn't change the fact that this is an own-goal.

Posted by: Caiwyn at August 25, 2025 05:33 PM (yHxqC)

216 No, let them. Suicide should not be a crime. If someone wants to end it all, let them.

---
If somebody is really serious about suicide, there will be nobody to punish in the aftermath. But if somebody wants to call attention to themselves and use up emergency resources, that's another thing entirely.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:34 PM (krQz2)

217 No. Charging someone double because they offed a faggot.

You can really look inside someone and determine what was in their heart when they did it? And get it correct 100 % of the time?
Posted by: rickb223

------------

Most crimes are driven by ipso facto hate.
Crimes that are not might be worse.
If you kill a fag because you hate him, well that is bad. If you kill him just to watch him die -- is that better? That person is a sociopath and I want him punished more.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:34 PM (bXONb)

218 What is the Navy's response?
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:28 PM (c35xG)

Fish it out and wash it. If every flag that touched was sent for disposal, the DOJ flag budget would be a trillion dollars.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 25, 2025 05:34 PM (S2loq)

219 > There is/was one guy in Lexington, KY 8 years ago that od'ed 23 times in 18 months and was brought back to life with narcan each time at the cost of over $1,000.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (0N4FZ)

That sounds pretty cheap, actually. One of my docs charges $700 just to come in and talk to me for 10 minutes (with just the occasional prescription modification or something similar).

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 25, 2025 05:34 PM (qpyNK)

220 You can't be this retarded.

==

wanna bet ?

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:35 PM (g47mK)

221
Your concern is:
(X) Jejune
( ) Not jejune
Posted by: Archimedes
----------------

Don't drink the water.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 25, 2025 05:35 PM (63Dwl)

222 who made the comment BTW ??

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:35 PM (g47mK)

223 63 Are Americans considered a group? If so, we are all affected by their hate speech.

Posted by: Indy Bill at August 25, 2025 05:35 PM (+WI3k)

224 Most crimes are driven by ipso facto hate.
Crimes that are not might be worse.
If you kill a fag because you hate him, well that is bad. If you kill him just to watch him die -- is that better? That person is a sociopath and I want him punished more.
Posted by: bob (moron incognitus)

If you kill him because you wanted his watch & wallet and it's found out later he was gay, that automatically enhances the crime?

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (L9gr5)

225 Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:34 PM (bXONb)

Excellent point!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (L5An7)

226 who made the comment about free speech on a blog ?

Posted by: runner at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (g47mK)

227 I don't like this at all.


Concur.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (2WIwB)

228

Any attempt to burn my flag in front of me is guaranteed hospital time. You may take that ineffable bullshit about it being "freedom of speech" and park it.

This is nothing but desecration of our national symbol and by extension a denial of the country and it's values.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (hKoQL)

229 We have to be careful when using the word "intent" because there are several similar common meanings, but only one specific meaning when the law is concerned. "Intent" in a legal sense is simply, did you fully intend to do the act which you committed? Example; Did you consciously mean to run over that guy on the side of the road, or did you never see him at all? One is murder, one is negligent homicide. (or maybe just an accident, depending on circumstances)

The problem with hate crimes is that they bring into the mix the idea of "intent" as "what were your political/moral beliefs at the time?" and that gets into the entire thought-crime arena.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (uWKK8)

230 Slavery was an imposition of the colonial powers and not an American Construct.
Posted by: Thomas Bender

I've even read that at one point Virginia sent a petition to the Crown to abolish it. Of course, it was rejected. Slavery was much loved by the big landowners, because it gave them a great competitive advantage over small farmers. Which is precisely why the small farmers (i.e., in western Virginia) largely disliked and rejected it.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (77rzZ)

231 the 10 commandments thing is strange

my kids and I all went to Catholic school

we just had, you know, a cross up on the wall above the board, maybe a little statue of Mary by the windows, that was it. a lot of classrooms it was just a cross somewhere

this seems excessive even compared to Catholic school lol

Posted by: Black Orchid at August 25, 2025 05:37 PM (Pv3Rg)

232 > If you kill him because you wanted his watch & wallet and it's found out later he was gay, that automatically enhances the crime?
Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (L9gr5)

I understand that gay martyr Matthew Shepard was actually killed because he ripped off the perps in a drug deal, not because he was gay.

I mean, we all know that straight people never get killed when they rip off people in drug deals, right? Never happens.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 25, 2025 05:37 PM (qpyNK)

233 Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at August 25, 2025 05:30 PM (eYAt4)

I k ow they've been doing it for quite some time, I meant think this might be the Fall, 2025 version of social unrest such as BLM except there's no "hero/ martyr " yet and they probably have some less money to spend.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 25, 2025 05:37 PM (2GCMq)

234 If someone gives me that stupid circle D dem flag, I'll burn it.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at August 25, 2025 05:38 PM (rvwwT)

235 > This is nothing but desecration of our national symbol and by extension a denial of the country and it's values.
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM (hKoQL)


The Constitution and BoR trump the flag, or so I see it.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 25, 2025 05:38 PM (qpyNK)

236 If the flag is speech (expression) Then anything can be considered expression, a man in a dress going into a woman's restroom is an expression of his inner womanhood.
It's our right to freely express our selves.

Inflate your testicles with saline and walk around the streets
expressing yourself for all to see. It's free expression and
in America we all have the right to free expression.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:38 PM (c35xG)

237 "The aggressor sets the ROE."

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 25, 2025 05:38 PM (ppG5b)

238 I think we have too many laws and this one is clearly a restriction of our GOD given right to do whatever the fuck we want as long as it does not materially affect someone else.

The flaw in your logic is that you are treating the American flag as a McGuffin, that is substituting any old thing is acceptable, trash, a cigarette, a glass bottle of gasoline, a car, a building, another person, a Koran.

If the flag was a neutral item like a McGuffin, then we wouldn't be talking about it, but it does cause people to emotionally react (which is confirmation that the American flag is not a McGuffin).

Disturbing the Peace, Inciting to Riot (ask the J6 committee in particular on that matter) all are the desired reactions to torching a US or Gay Pride flag.

So your logic is not applicable here.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 25, 2025 05:38 PM (U4c/V)

239 The guys that jumped out of windows in 1929 were *serious*.


They didn't teeter on the ledge, complain that their life wasn't to their satisfaction. Give time for all sorts of emergency vehicles to arrive and cost an outlay of city time and money.

They also weren't prosecuted for their decision.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:38 PM (krQz2)

240 Hurricane forming south of Jamaica. May be heading for the Florida panhandle. DeSantis putting out warnings. Be safe Florida Horde

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 25, 2025 05:39 PM (rRoxM)

241 I'm old enough to have gone to public school when we said the Pledge, and did the Baptist blessing for lunch. I remember being called to lead the blessing and hit them with the Lutheran version. The students were baffled.

Posted by: toby928 at August 25, 2025 05:39 PM (jc0TO)

242 The hat thing is kinda weird with me. If I go into an indoor mall, I don't remove my hat. I only remove it if I actually enter a store in the mall.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:39 PM (77rzZ)

243 The Constitution and BoR trump the flag, or so I see it.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia
-------------------

The Flag is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the
Declaration of Independence.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (c35xG)

244 Inflate your testicles with saline and walk around the streets
expressing yourself for all to see. It's free expression and
in America we all have the right to free expression.

So what kind of reaction did you get?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (U4c/V)

245
>>>Petty Officer Dumbfk (looks like Shrek) dropped the flag in the river. What do we do?

- things you get asked in the Navy
Posted by: sniffybigtoe
-------------------------------
What is the Navy's response?
Posted by: Braenyard

SGT Bif's response when SP4 Conley did something similar was to give the dirtbag an symbolic 'baby' and force the shambolic walking clusterfuck to OWN THAT BABAY YOU POS! For a week. I called it training for handling the warhead PAL combination to get away with it.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (QVmho)

246 > No. Charging someone double because they offed a faggot.

I'm obviously conceding that's an easy question to answer and posing a much more difficult one.

> You can really look inside someone and determine what was in their heart when they did it? And get it correct 100 % of the time?

Is this a serious question? No, obviously I can't. Does that mean intent has no place in our legal system? If so, say goodbye to self-defense as a legal concept. Everyone who kills someone has committed murder in the first degree.

Posted by: bonhomme at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (lIio7)

247 Slavery was an imposition of the colonial powers and not an American Construct.
Posted by: Thomas Bender

I've even read that at one point Virginia sent a petition to the Crown to abolish it. Of course, it was rejected. Slavery was much loved by the big landowners, because it gave them a great competitive advantage over small farmers. Which is precisely why the small farmers (i.e., in western Virginia) largely disliked and rejected it.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:36 PM


The crown would not/could not make slavery illegal back then because haiti, st. john and jamica were slave colonies bringing in tons of $$$$$ for the crown.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (0N4FZ)

248 we were also segregated, which was the style at the time.

Posted by: toby928 at August 25, 2025 05:41 PM (jc0TO)

249 > The flaw in your logic is that you are treating the American flag as a McGuffin, that is substituting any old thing is acceptable, trash, a cigarette, a glass bottle of gasoline, a car, a building, another person, a Koran.

Muslims get way more upset at people burning a Koran than someone burning a flag. But that doesn't make it okay to prosecute someone for doing that, much less beating them up or killing them for it.

Being butthurt is not an excuse.

For anything.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 25, 2025 05:41 PM (qpyNK)

250 Seems to me that publicly displaying the Ten Commandments is part of the "restore Western Civilization to the West" thing that most people here usually support.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at August 25, 2025 05:41 PM (a+4eV)

251 I’m not going to get too into the 1st amendment argument. That’ll sort itself out. Trump is going after the left hammer and tong. I’m just going to enjoy that.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 25, 2025 05:41 PM (u73oe)

252 nood!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 25, 2025 05:42 PM (ppG5b)

253 The existence of the Democratic party is a hate crime

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 25, 2025 05:42 PM (rRoxM)

254 U nas yest' NOOD.

Posted by: Bulg at August 25, 2025 05:42 PM (77rzZ)

255 > The Flag is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the
Declaration of Independence.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (c35xG)

It's none of those things.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 25, 2025 05:42 PM (qpyNK)

256 PoIiMath @politicalmath

This is ridiculous. This kind of thing is a vote-loser and validates a lot of the worst opinions about conservatives and the GOP.
---
"worst opinions about conservatives and the GOP"?

Meet:
---
MAZE @mazemoore

1995. Senator Joe Biden proposes legislation to make burning or desecrating the American flag in any way a crime.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:44 PM (krQz2)

257 The flaw in your logic is that you are treating the American flag as a McGuffin, that is substituting any old thing is acceptable, trash, a cigarette, a glass bottle of gasoline, a car, a building, another person, a Koran.

If the flag was a neutral item like a McGuffin, then we wouldn't be talking about it, but it does cause people to emotionally react (which is confirmation that the American flag is not a McGuffin).

Disturbing the Peace, Inciting to Riot (ask the J6 committee in particular on that matter) all are the desired reactions to torching a US or Gay Pride flag.

So your logic is not applicable here.
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure

------------------

Don't bring J6 into this since Trump did NOT incite a riot and tried to quell one (but was banned by Twitter so no one could see his tweets!!!!)

"Fighting words" is perilous territory. I can think of no case where it is a legitimate justification for physical violence. What I am saying that if someone uses words or "speech" that incites emotional response, then they had better be ready for that response.

I don't walk through Harlem call people "n......" because I know I would not survive. That is how it should be

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 05:46 PM (bXONb)

258 The flaw in your logic is that you are treating the American flag as a McGuffin, that is substituting any old thing is acceptable, trash, a cigarette, a glass bottle of gasoline, a car, a building, another person, a Koran.
---
So, I should accept the government's limitation on what I can burn at city hall?

If burning == speech, then I should be able to burn anything I choose to "speak" about.

Anything else is a limit on my burn-speaking.

Posted by: Axeman at August 25, 2025 05:46 PM (krQz2)

259 The Flag is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the
Declaration of Independence.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:40 PM (c35xG)

No, it isn't. For one thing, there are more stars in the Star Spangled Banner than there are amendments to the Constitution. Changing the design of the US flag is a lot easier than the process of adding an amendment to the US Constitution.

Posted by: mrp at August 25, 2025 05:46 PM (rj6Yv)

260 LOL I’m here for this

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at August 25, 2025 05:47 PM (eZwyX)

261 Is this a serious question? No, obviously I can't. Does that mean intent has no place in our legal system? If so, say goodbye to self-defense as a legal concept. Everyone who kills someone has committed murder in the first degree.
Posted by: bonhomme


Trying to kill you is intent. Self defense is not intent. Did you set out to kill them, or were you reacting to their aggression?

And technically, in the eyes of the law, every death at the hands of another is a homicide. Some are justifiable, and some are not.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:48 PM (L9gr5)

262 This "own goal" bullshit is idiotic. Yeah, I'm voting for trump because of deportations, border security, wars ending, end to child trans stuff, end to DEI programs, etc., but I can't burn a flag while involved in some rioting? THAT'S IT! I'M VOTING DEMOCRAT! We will lose no votes over this, and will make the dopes post flag burning videos to you tube, as well as legalize pride flag burning. No big deal.

Posted by: coraldog at August 25, 2025 05:49 PM (Tu2UF)

263 248 we were also segregated, which was the style at the time.
Posted by: toby928
===========

CoPilot:

In 1955, segregation was not a federal law mandated by the United States government; rather, it was primarily enforced by state and local laws, especially in Southern states, under the “separate but equal” doctrine upheld by the Supreme Court until it began to be overturned by landmark decisions in the 1950s.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:49 PM (c35xG)

264
Trying to kill you is intent. Self defense is not intent. Did you set out to kill them, or were you reacting to their aggression?

And technically, in the eyes of the law, every death at the hands of another is a homicide. Some are justifiable, and some are not.
Posted by: rickb223
------------------

You don't intend to kill the intruder you intend to stop him.
If you continue after the intruder has stopped you will be in trouble.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 25, 2025 05:51 PM (c35xG)

265 You don't intend to kill the intruder you intend to stop him.
If you continue after the intruder has stopped you will be in trouble.

Posted by: Braenyard


Exactly.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 25, 2025 05:54 PM (L9gr5)

266 I strongly support the EO, and view flag burning as a desecration of national values that should face consequences. I argue that the flag represents the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and American identity, and its desecration is an attack on those principles. I equate flag burning to “fighting words” that provoke violence and should not be protected. You're a retarded child living in a lost world if you believe otherwise.

Posted by: Miken at August 25, 2025 06:00 PM (Q5uIr)

267
I wore the uniform and took the oath, same as nearly all of you here. Always, the flag has been the very symbol of the most exceptional country on the planet.

I don't like hearing people disparage it or my country, but anyone has the right through free speech to publicly state their opinion without hindrance, whatever it maybe.

Burning that flag is by no means an expression of free speech. It is desecration of the national symbol, and by extension, a denial of our country and it's values. I will not tolerate it.


Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 25, 2025 06:02 PM (hKoQL)

268 >>"Fighting words" is perilous territory. I can think of no case where it is a legitimate justification for physical violence. What I am saying that if someone uses words or "speech" that incites emotional response, then they had better be ready for that response.

What if you burned a pride flag in front a gay parade?

Who gets to decide what is an appropriate emotional response? We have school kids getting suspended for wearing t-shirts that say there are only 2 genders. Cause there are.

When exactly do we get to have space to destroy and emotional responses cause all I see is it going one way and it ain't my way.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 25, 2025 06:03 PM (viF8m)

269 Not sure I care one way or the other on this EO, but if you burn a flag I know exactly where you stand and it's not on my side.

Posted by: Skip at August 25, 2025 06:09 PM (+qU29)

270 But as many point out protesting at a abortion factory should be exactly the same, a 1st Amendment right.

Posted by: Skip at August 25, 2025 06:10 PM (+qU29)

271 Maybe PDT is baiting people to start doing lots of public flag-burning--legal but bad optics. People like Mandami (whatever). Bwahahahaha.

Posted by: m at August 25, 2025 06:10 PM (aURVT)

272 nood
Chuck Todd Attacks Trump for Practicing "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right" Vengeance Politics, But Refuses to Admit That the Anti-Trump Lawfare Was the First Wrong
—Ace

Posted by: m at August 25, 2025 06:11 PM (aURVT)

273 Better be a clear exemption for the proper disposal of a flag, which involves burning it.

Posted by: My name was erased at August 25, 2025 06:14 PM (5DTn7)

274 What if you burned a pride flag in front a gay parade?

Who gets to decide what is an appropriate emotional response? We have school kids getting suspended for wearing t-shirts that say there are only 2 genders. Cause there are.

When exactly do we get to have space to destroy and emotional responses cause all I see is it going one way and it ain't my way.
Posted by: JackStraw

-------
I am for free speech, I am not sure which side you are on on this.

If you burn a gay flag at one of their parades, expect them to respond. I hate to give them the right to advertise their perversions, but aside from arresting them for indecency the law is limited. Perhaps if they were turned into brawls from decent people telling them to get back in the closet things would be better and they would stick to their ghettos.

Schools are more complicated, but if your kid is in a school where the majority respond emotionally to facts, then the failure is much deeper. Don't restrict the kid from what he wants to wear, but punish anyone who disrupts that class by protesting it. Seems simple.
to be cont.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 06:15 PM (bXONb)

275 cont.

We only got this way in schools because the teachers and administrators have picked a side. That is wrong.

If the students sorted it out, I think some kids would be flagrant and get bullied (and bullies punished if they got physical) and others would be patriots with flags and facts, and they would be left alone, except by the freaks -- who would then get bullied.


In majority muslim schools there would be a problem, but that is another issue. (There should be no majority muslim schools, towns, buildings in USA.)

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at August 25, 2025 06:18 PM (bXONb)

276 I think that the EO basically posits a legal theory -- that in a certain context, burning the flag is like a mashup of fighting words and incitement to riot -- which could potentially work for legislation, but not for an executive order. As I understand it, there's a general legal principle -- I'm not a lawyer, but everyone needs to at least try to have some basic understanding, since ignorance is held as no excuse, so this is part my effort to do that -- a general legal principle that to name something is to exclude what is not named. In other words, you cannot extrapolate. No matter how common sense it appears to you that this fourth thing follows the pattern of the three things explicitly listed, the legislature had the opportunity to list and chose not to, and you cannot extrapolate; the law says what it says, and no more. So I think that's where the EO will fail judicial review, and its success should be judged on how many Democrats lose their election campaigns because of videos of people burning the American flag in response to this EO, and/or by whether pride flag sanctity is crippled by TDS judges' overreactions.

Posted by: SciVo at August 25, 2025 06:41 PM (XDE1x)

277 sORRY i AM TIRED OF THOSE THAT DEFEND THE strangling of puppies because it is a form of free speech.

Posted by: TJ Jackson at August 25, 2025 06:57 PM (bXvrr)

278 Lighting shit on fire is not speech.

Posted by: Botched_Lobotomy at August 25, 2025 07:37 PM (utoSg)

279 Petty Officer Dumbfk (looks like Shrek) dropped the flag in the river. What do we do?

Toss him in to rescue the flag. Whether he is retreived from the river is a different question.

Posted by: clarence at August 25, 2025 07:57 PM (dL2Vj)

280 Aww, don't like it tuff crap. Don't burn our flag, simple.

Posted by: Bob at August 25, 2025 07:57 PM (YiqZD)

281 There is room for a possible exception to the Supreme Court's recognition of flag burning as protected free speech. That is under the Court's "fighting words" limit on free speech protection.

Trump targeting of this exception will prompt Democrats to go on a flag-burning spree in response.

Best troll ever? Investing in popcorn futures now.

Posted by: AlecRawls at August 25, 2025 08:45 PM (YwWCT)

282 Do. Not. Care.

Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 25, 2025 09:35 PM (vTTFR)

283 Yep, bad. It will be an interesting 7 days of coverage.

As a veteran I hate it, but it is free speech.

Posted by: Danimal28 at August 25, 2025 11:57 PM (A07cR)

284 I think he's being too cute. The Left reflexively opposes Trump orders that are popular with most people, so he's probably counting on this generating a lot of video of dipsh*ts burning the flag and further alienating the general public. But this time I don't think the Left will oblige.

Posted by: Bud Norton at August 26, 2025 09:11 AM (/8Jbh)

285 Schlicter opined without reading the EO. There's nothing for a court to overturn.

Posted by: Al in St. Louis at August 26, 2025 04:25 PM (pKne7)

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