Many patriotic Americans do not realize what the failed “flag-burning amendment” would have done. The proposed amendment would actually have banned desecration of the American flag.

Here are some highlights from United States Code Title 4, Chapter 1: Sec. 7(b): … When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right [front] fender.

Sec. 8(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Sec. 8(i). The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. (This is already punishable in Washington, D.C., by $100 fine or 30 days in jail.)

These rules don’t come from the Boy Scout Handbook, or even army regulations, but the 77th U.S. Congress. By legal definition, every patriotic stars-and stripes T-shirt and bumper sticker, to say nothing of advertising copy, is an act of desecration.

Interestingly, there was a federal law in 1989 against knowingly “defiling” our flag. It was declared unconstitutional and struck down in 1990. Though I find flag burning disturbing – and resent the resulting implication that disagreeing with the government means the flag is no longer “ours” – there is no ethical excuse for mandating protections for the flag not granted to other national/cultural/regional/etc. symbols.

Abby Weeks

Bangor