agreed on all accounts. i was thinking of the same "cross" example, when the discussion was as the flag as
just being a piece of cloth. its a symbol.
and its the belief and faith in the symbol that are important, not so much the symbol itself. which is why, in a case where you're cold, burning a flag wouldn't be some horrible crime. as long as its given the proper respect. again, its the handling of the symbol, more so than the symbol itself.
as for the issue of burning a flag to make a statement... again, it sort of depends on where you're coming from -- what you mean by your actions.
its a very powerful symbol to see the (american) flag burning. however, i do believe that, under the right circumstances, it could be a justified action. burning the flag, i feel, is the ultimate way to show that this country really IS about freedoms, however backwards the logic might seem. that we DO live in a society where you can act as you see fit, where as in other countries, even mentioning such an act could get you jailed -- even killed!
as for WHAT cases i feel are justified to do this? ... not sure i can really think of any off the top of my head, but, it would have to be a scenario where it was individuals pointing out a hypocracy in a government ruling, where freedoms that are deserved by american citizens, according to our own constitution, are removed by the government out of temporary convenience, or some other aspect. some of the race riots of the 60s, perhaps. or, perhaps a better example, is the "jailing" of japanese-americans, during world war II.
again, id still be very uncomfortable viewing such an action, but, if handled properly, hopefully the powerful image would have meaning behind it.
