Fascinating Article About The Flag Amendment example essay topic

397 words
Flag Summary No Flag Amends Oh say can you see... the point? by John Leo is a fascinating article about the flag amendment. The point that John is trying to get across in this article is that there is no need for a new amendment in the constitution. He opens his point by discussing how some gay protesters expressed their point to the Roman Catholic Church by simulating anal sex acts outside the St. Patricks Cathedral. This example he uses is to show the "the uncanny ability to conduct symbolic warfare". John then gives a little history on flag burning". Find out what mainstream holds dear, then go out of your way to degrade and mock it - erupted in the 60's and made the flag its primary target".

In the 60's there were so many people against going to war in Vietnam that they began to lose the respect for our countries leaders and the only way they felt that they could be heard was by burning the flag. The people thought that destroying something so dear to the leaders of the country that maybe they would finally get some attentions and have there points heard". Protesters sprouted shirts and hats made of flags- a taboo in those days- and if that didn't push the buttons of ordinary citizens, you could always whip out a flag handkerchief and blow your nose on it". The people felt that there opinions didn't matter in this democracy, so they would try to make a mockery of it until they were listened to. John doesn't think that it is the best idea to constitute another amendment permitting flag burning. He says, "first of all, there is no crisis here that demands the dramatic and very serious business of amending the constitution".

Unlike the 60's where flags could be seen getting burned in nearly every state, there has been maybe 3 flag burnings in the last 10 year. So to go through all that trouble, all that money, and all that man power to protect something that is not in danger, is obser d. He closes by saying " It is not worth it. Political seriousness means not waiting time and money, and tinkering with the Constitution, to chase a few cranks with flags and matches.".