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Yale students make no statement by burning U.S. flag
Ed Board
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: OPINION
While scanning through yesterday morning's Reuters news wire, our critical reading skills were put to the test. A story came up regarding three Yale students who were arrested for burning an American flag.
Of course, as journalists, our love of freedom of speech flared up. As reprehensible as burning an American flag is, it's still free speech, according to a 1989 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. To paraphrase Voltaire, we may not agree with what you have to say, but we'll defend to the death your right to say it.
But later into the story, the true reasons for the trio's arrest came to light. The three were arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, arson, breach of peace, criminal mischief and other charges. It turns out they didn't even burn their own flag; they burned a flag that belonged to a private citizen.
What a bunch of morons. If you want to make a dubious political statement by burning a flag, at least have the forethought to buy your own flag!
Two of the three involved were foreign nationals - one from Great Britain and another from Greece. Our question is: if you hate the United States so much, why are you coming to school here?
Burning the United States flag is abhorrent, and sends a message that we here at the Daily can't quite decipher. However, it's a form of self-expression, and the right to free speech trumps any moral or political concern.
However, these three chumps are just irresponsible pyromaniacs. This was no political crime, this was simply idiocy put into action.
Of course, as journalists, our love of freedom of speech flared up. As reprehensible as burning an American flag is, it's still free speech, according to a 1989 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. To paraphrase Voltaire, we may not agree with what you have to say, but we'll defend to the death your right to say it.
But later into the story, the true reasons for the trio's arrest came to light. The three were arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, arson, breach of peace, criminal mischief and other charges. It turns out they didn't even burn their own flag; they burned a flag that belonged to a private citizen.
What a bunch of morons. If you want to make a dubious political statement by burning a flag, at least have the forethought to buy your own flag!
Two of the three involved were foreign nationals - one from Great Britain and another from Greece. Our question is: if you hate the United States so much, why are you coming to school here?
Burning the United States flag is abhorrent, and sends a message that we here at the Daily can't quite decipher. However, it's a form of self-expression, and the right to free speech trumps any moral or political concern.
However, these three chumps are just irresponsible pyromaniacs. This was no political crime, this was simply idiocy put into action.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Chas
posted 4/05/07 @ 9:41 AM CST
They not only burned another person's flag, they actually walked onto another person's property who was legally displaying the flag from a residence. They set fire to that flag as it was hanging from that house. (Continued…)
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