If the President isn’t following the Constitution I don’t see why the Supreme Court needs to either. Be careful what you wish for though.

11 hours ago, BBE said:

Careful. You may knock another leg from his argument. And I agree with you that there is a small subset of cases which merit nationwide injunctions. Rather than define that subset via a test, SCOTUS created a monster.

Yeah, I looked into the details a bit this morning and it is quite clear though there are still class actions and possibly injunctions on cases that are brought by States. Both of those are pretty interesting and SCOTUS will no doubt have to take rulings on injunctions that stem from those types of situations. Lots more to go on this one.

11 hours ago, The_Omega said:

Yeesh. Might get a little uncomfortable in the break room after this ACB broadside on KBJ

"At odds with precedent" she says. How adorable.

Trump signs executive order making it illegal to burn the flag. The act of burning the flag was ruled on as being protected free speech by SCOTUS in 1989.

Trump simply ignores a SCOTUS ruling.

4 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

Trump signs executive order making it illegal to burn the flag. The act of burning the flag was ruled on as being protected free speech by SCOTUS in 1989.

Trump simply ignores a SCOTUS ruling.

I never had the desire to protest my country enough to burn the flag, but I almost want to burn one now.

The flag itself is a piece of cloth that can be replaced. Granted, some actual flags have historical value and should be protected. But overall, what needs protected is what the flag represents, and that ironically, means being free to express yourself anyway you want, if it doesn’t harm others. It’s already been established that feelings are for snowflakes so if some burning a flag hurts your feelings, I don’t GAFF.

11 minutes ago, Tnt4philly said:

I never had the desire to protest my country enough to burn the flag, but I almost want to burn one now.

The flag itself is a piece of cloth that can be replaced. Granted, some actual flags have historical value and should be protected. But overall, what needs protected is what the flag represents, and that ironically, means being free to express yourself anyway you want, if it doesn’t harm others. It’s already been established that feelings are for snowflakes so if some burning a flag hurts your feelings, I don’t GAFF.

Yes, I've always hated it when people burn flags BUT I've always felt the most important thing was their right to do so.

That "1 month later…” is hilarious in context😂

GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL, USA (RET)
909 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 767
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22314

The Honorable Patrick Leahy
United States Senate
Washington, DC 10510-4502

Dear Senator Leahy,

Thank you for your recent letter asking my views on the proposed flag protection amendment.

I love our flag, our Constitution and our country with a love that has no bounds. I defended all three for 35 years as a soldier and was willing to give my life in their defense.

Americans revere their flag as a symbol of the Nation. Indeed, it is because of that reverence that the amendment is under consideration. Few countries in the world would think of amending their Constitution for the purpose of protecting such a symbol.

We are rightfully outraged when anyone attacks or desecrates our flag. Few Americans do such things and when they do they are subject to the rightful condemnation of their fellow citizens. They may be destroying a piece of cloth, but they do no damage to our system of freedom which tolerates such desecration.

If they are destroying a flag that belongs to someone else, that's a prosecutable crime. If it is a flag they own, I really don't want to amend the Constitution to prosecute someone for foolishly desecrating their own property. We should condemn them and pity them instead.

I understand how strongly so many of my fellow veterans and citizens feel about the flag and I understand the powerful sentiment in state legislatures for such an amendment. I feel the same sense of outrage. But I step back from amending the Constitution to relieve that outrage. The First Amendment exists to insure that freedom of speech and expression applies not just to that with which we agree or disagree, but also that which we find outrageous. I would not amend that great shield of democracy to hammer a few miscreants. The flag will be flying proudly long after they have slunk away.

Finally, I shudder to think of the legal morass we will create trying to implement the body of law that will emerge from such an amendment.

If I were a member of Congress, I would not vote for the proposed amendment and would fully understand and respect the views of those who would. For or against, we all love our flag with equal devotion.

Sincerely,
General Colin Powell, USA (RET)