Frist: Protecting the flag isn't pandering

WASHINGTON - Amending the Constitution to prohibit flag burning may be considered political posturing in the nation's capital, says Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, but it's not pandering to the GOP's conservative base to pursue such protection.

"It's important to the heart and soul of the American people," said Frist, R-Tenn., who is considering a White House bid in 2008.

Asked on "Fox News Sunday" if flag burning and gay marriage were the most important issues the Senate can address in June, Frist said the agenda will focus on securing the country and its values.

"I'm going to Arlington Cemetery tomorrow, and I'm going to see that American flag waving on every single grave over there," Frist said the day before Memorial Day ceremonies at the military cemetery.

"And when you look at that flag and then you tell me that right now people in this country are saying it's OK to desecrate that flag and to burn it and to not pay respect to it — is that important to our values as a people when we've got 130,000 people fighting for our freedom and liberty today? That is important."

AP/Yahoo

It's not like we have some huge outbreak of flag burning going on here. Seems like the senate could spend its time on more pressing issues like health care or education.

Mz Pip
:dem:

A flag isn't a holy object. It's a piece of cloth. The values behind the flag are sacred, but you don't mind burning those, do you, you asshole Frist?

if they banned flying the flag upside down too. But honestly, how important is the flag to our country's well being? It's a symbol. It really serves no purpose other than identification and unification.

It's pandering. No need to explain myself here.

Frist disgusts me.

While I'm at it, I'm not too fond of Hillary for promoting a flag-burning amendment, either.

But her support of such an ammendment is a serious reason to pause.

destruction to the flag then anyone that burns it or steps on it could. Land of the free, home of the brave, where? Justice for those that can afford it the rest can rot. Spying on americans under the illusion of safety, exactly what does the flag represent today? That greed rules and honesty is for fools.

and most likely made in china.....


they should be more worried about protecting the Constitutio. Tje last I heard, that can't be bought at Wal-Mart.


Not unless I missed something....

either, or an anti-gay marriage amendment, or prayer in the schools, or Creation "Science" in biology textbooks...all the little right-wing bells and whistles that resonate in your version of America.

Frist, you have no credibility anymore. No one wants your version of America. Have you ever heard of the First Amendment?

as necessary 2 life but that hasn't stopped cat-killer 'n the pro-life gang from desecrating those elements.

now, protecting the Constitution of the US is not pandering.

.. Old Glory Protection Amendment

No federal agency, state or local government may display the flag of the Confederate States of America over any building, facility, site or property of any kind. Similarly, no institution receiving funds from the federal, state or local government may display the Confederate Flag. The same prohibitions apply to any flag containing the CSA flag as a design element.


The Confederate flag is not a symbol of a proud, noble heritage, but of slavery, racial hatred, treason and secession. Over 600,000 Americans died in battle because of that banner. There can be no doubt that Confederate soldiers were courageous and even heroic. But their their cause was an abomination. To display and celebrate its symbols is an affront to all Americans, white and black ...

http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/archives/000199.htm

are using the flag for some kind of deplorable sex-act, all while speaking Spanish. It would be election gold!

Shit all over the Constitution, the military and the people of the United States, but don't diss that piece of cloth.

over freedom of expression would have some opposition. Somehow, I doubt it.

When's the last time you heard of anyone in this country burning an American flag?

This is transparent pandering, and I think most true Americans will see it as such.

Not human rights, peace, the environment or any of that stuff. That flag must be protected by God! All other considerations are secondary.

flag.

The flag is a rag.

six years of Bush's culture of corruption, gov spying on its own citizens, attacking foreign countries to grab their resources, prioritizing of the corporation above all else, a pretzeldent that listens to voices in his own head telling him to kill people and fundies that can't see anything wrong with that, Abu Gahrib, Marine executions of civilians because children were sent to fight an oil war, well,
I don't see anything worth protecting.

what will he be thinking?

Will he be thinking about how glorious that looks, all those flags, and all those graves?

That is ludicrous.

Doesn't he have a video diagosis to make or something?

He's of the biggest frauds out there...

I served in the Navy for 6 years, 68-74, and here is how most vets view this non-issue: the freedoms and liberties that our flag represents mean everything; they are the things we enlisted to protect and preserve. The flag itself is a piece of cloth. If some idiot wants to burn it, our country ( until bush gets through destroying what our flag represents ) still provides the freedom to do so. You and I might not like it, we might hate it - but by God, that freedom is worth more than any piece of cloth.
It really bugs me that so many so-called "patriots" calmly except the NSA listening in to personal communications, while whining about the extremely unlikely burning of a flag. Think.

they could find more favor with those who
would burn the flag and wrap themselves in the
constitution. Rather than those who would burn
the constitution and wrap themselves in the flag.
Certainly today the constitution is under greater
attack than the flag.

Tell it to someone that gives a shit. We're all so tired of that crap.

going on.I haven't heard anything,must have been asleep that day.Not pandering,this from a man that came up with the 100 REBATE.

Somehow I don't think they are going to be deterred, not even a little bit.

What a bunch of fascist pigs! It is the Constitution that preserved our freedoms, not the fucking flag, and certainly not the military!

rolling out the old favorites. especially when they cannot run on their record.
Flag burning amendment....In Washington State the retardicans have a platform stating children born in america of illegal immigrants cannot be citizens.
(14th amendment says something different, but why would retardicans care what the CONSTITUTION says)

Gay marriage, immigration, support the troops (but cut their benefits)....

I pray to Gawd that republicans lose their majority this November.

other countries over protests of our atrocities.

is *exactly* why congress shouldn't waste any time on legislating what can be done with a symbolic piece of cloth. We've got more pressing issues to deal with, Mr. Frist.

but there you go.

such as gays and immigrants. And in so doing, you shit all over the flag, but you already know that, don't you frist?

like helping the less fortunate or protecting the environment or giving our kids the best education possible

I really worry about how all that smoke is effecting the air quality. :eyes: I can see that it's a real "buring" issue. :sarcasm:

to protect us from gays, Mexicans, and flag burners, and NOW in an election year these things are all urgent issues???

:eyes:

Passing anti-flag burning laws have no effect at cemetaries. If someone takes a flag from a cemetary, it is theft. He can be prosecuted for that, and in Arlington, he probably can be shot over it. I saw a Marine guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier aim his rifle at a little kid who walked in the wrong spot when I was there.

All this really shows me is how stupid Rick Santorum is and how stupid he must think the voters in PA are.