Comparison Of American Flag, The Goldfish, And The Lottery

Flag Burning can be and usually is a very controversial issue. Many people are offended by the thought of destroying this country's symbol of liberty and freedom. During a political protest during the 1984 Republican Convention, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for burning an American flag. Years later in 1989, Johnson got the decision overturned by the United States Supreme Court. In the same year, the state of Texas passed the Flag Protection Act, which prohibited any form of desecration against the American flag. This act provoked many people to protest and burn flags anyway. Two protestors, Shawn Eichman and Mark Haggerty were charged with violating the law and arrested. Both Eichman and Haggerty appealed the

In the text, “American Flag Stands for Tolerance”, people appear to show strong emotions and opinions about burning a flag. Most would say that it is patriotic that Mr. Johnson starts to burn a flag to express his feeling of disagreement, while others say that it is wrong and deserves punishment. We are all entitled to our own opinions, as Ronald J. Allen states in a newspaper

On August 22, 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for setting the U.S. flag on fire. His simple act of protest led to the Supreme Court ruling that flag burning is protected under the First Amendment as free speech, thus overturning his conviction. The flag symbolizes freedom, and part of that freedom is being able to express dissatisfaction with the government. However, some see flag burning not merely as a demonstration of opinion, but as an attack on national unity and American values. Should it be illegal to burn the U.S. flag as an form of protest, or is this method within the rights of American citizens?

This brought on the Supreme Court striking down all laws banning flag desecration in 1989. Justice Brennan wrote “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable (civilliberty website, n.d) One cannot simply ban or outlaw a person’s right to exercise their ideas publically because it goes against the majority or popular belief. Taking away ones freedom of speech, you then take away the voice of a nation. You don’t have to always agree with the words, ideas or views someone expresses but you must give them the right to say it without repercussions. We recite the pledge of allegiance, not fully understanding what it means. The last section of the pledge states “with liberty and justice for all”. (UsFlag.org, n.d) Which means, the freedom to live, speak and to carry on without fear or injustice. No matter the race, gender or ethnicity George Washington said it best, “if the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”(Washington, n.d line 31 ) This nation was built upon principles that we are all free. Free to live and exercise our rights to speak freely and protest as citizens without fear. The Constitution also allows one to peacefully

“Old Glory,” otherwise known as the American Flag, has been a huge part of America 's history and a representation of The United States of America. Ever since The American Flag has been around there have been countless debates about whether it should be a crime to burn or deface the flag. Throughout the world there are many places where defacing your country 's symbol is considered a crime and considered disrespectful, and others where it is considered an expression of free speech and one can do so if they please. Most debates revolve around the issues of respect and national pride versus freedom of speech; both sides are very passionate about their stance on the topic.

In 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson, while in a protest, burned an american flag in front of the convention center in Dallas, Texas. In the convention center the Republican National Convention was taking place. Johnson burned the flag because he was in disagreement with the policies of President Ronald Reagan. The policies Johnson disagreed with were President Reagan's nuclear policies. Due to Johnson’s actions, Johnson was placed under arrest. Johnson was charged with violating a Texas law. This law prohibits the desecration of the American flag.

It should be illegal for the United States flag to be burned or otherwise destroyed. The Supreme Court’s majority opinion argued that Johnson was protesting a political idea. While Johnson may have been protesting, he was using a symbol that as Chief Justice Rehnquist used in his dissent, “does not represent the views of any particular political party, and it does not represent any particular political philosophy. The flag is not simply another "idea" or "point of view" competing for recognition in the marketplace of ideas.” The flag has a uniqueness to it; it represents freedom, equal opportunity, and the goodwill for other peoples who share in the pride for our country. This unique status should outweigh the concerns of “symbolic speech” and protecting the right of protesters that desecrate the

The American flag has a symbolic meaning. Now it all depends on how someone sees it and how others respond to it. For example, "American Flag Stands for Tolerance" by Ronald J. Allen is more effective and pursuasive than "Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion" by William J. Brennan. Reasons being as to why Allen presents a more cogent argument "... that a person has a right to express disagreement with governmental polices by burning the American

Is it okay to burn the American flag? In The American Flag Stand for Tolerance It gives reason to why it is okay to burn and why it isn’t. In the story it mentions that It should be okay to burn the flag when the government has done something that is bad. But the story also cites the first amendment stating that you should be able to express your opinion as long as it doesn’t become physical. In war the flag stayed up the entire time and never came down and that shows that burning the flag can also show tolerance because the flag has been through much worse and has never came down. But burning it can also lead you into trouble because people can get the wrong idea such as the law. Overall I feel people spreading their opinion on government

The main idea of this editorial is that the idea of burning the flag is very controversial because many people have more staunch views about the flag than others. When Gregory Lee Johnson burned the American Flag in Dallas in 1984, he was arrested and everything went haywire. The alterations started when courts could not decide on the answer to this continental case. But maybe fighting is good for making decisions.” After all, it is in the robust debate that we are most true to ourselves.” The author is saying that acceptance can come out of controversy. Our eyes can be opened when there a someone fighting for something they believe

The demonstration, which involved a lot of people, was against the Reagan administration’s policies. Spectators watching the protest were deeply offended by Johnson’s actions. As a result, the state of Texas sued Johnson. In this case, the justices had to decided if ruining an american flag, in any way, is a form of free speech that is protected by the first amendment in the Constitution. In a five person to four person vote, the Supreme Court decided that Johnson was protected by the first amendment. They decided that burning an american flag is considered to be an political action, which expresses the person’s political beliefs. This ruling created the idea that just because the public were offended by the action, there is no reason why to prohibit the

These controversial discussions of the protection of flag desecration have been around for decades, but have only recently resurfaced. There have been court cases of flag desecration throughout history, the most well-known case being Texas v. Johnson of 1989. In 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson exercised his right of freedom of speech by burning an American

In “American Flag Stands for Tolerance” the people believe the burning of the flag is protected by the First Amendment while others thought the flag is a cherished symbol and people who burn flags should be punished. When the flag is burned the people conflict with each other and the case is close, “In a controversial decision, the Supreme Court, by the closest possible margin of a 5-to-4 vote” (Allen 1-2). The case comes to a close and the burning of the flag is now protected by the First Amendment. Following the case there was still scepticism because the people view the flag as a cherished symbol like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and burning the flag would be like burning either

The burning of the US flag should fall under the protections of the First Amendment, this free speech should be protected. The first reason the burning should be allowed is because burning the piece of fabric does not damage the system of freedom. General Colin Powell, a soldier of thirty-five years, replied to Senator Leahy's letter, declaring his belief that people burning the flag does not damage his and or the country's system of freedom (Article 1). In his opinion, people are free to do whatever they want as long as it is their property, however if the flag belongs to someone else, it should be considered a prosecutable crime. Additionally, the burning of the flag should be allowed because if it was banned, then it would be violating

On August 22, 1984, Texas resident Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for burning an American flag during a protest of the Republican National Convention.  Johnson had violated a Texas flag desecration law officially known as the Texas Venerated Objects law, which outlawed "intentionally or knowingly desecrating a national flag" (Goldstein 197).