Chapter 9 Evaluate one source from paper #3
I really enjoyed reading the case of Texas v. Johnson. During the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, respondent Johnson participated in a political demonstration to protest the policies of the Reagan administration and some Dallas-based corporations. After a march through the city streets, Johnson burned an American flag while protesters chanted. No one was physically injured or threatened with injury, although several witnesses were seriously offended by the fla burning. Johnson was convicted of desecration of a venerated object in violation of a Texas statute. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed holding that the State could not punish Johnson for burning the flag under these circumstances. The court first found that Johnson's burning of the flag was expressive conduct protected under the First Amendment. The court also concluded that the State could not criminally sanction flag desecration in order to preserve the flag as a symbol of national unity. I understand the First Amendment gives us all equal rights to freedom of speech, but burning the American flag is just disrespectful to others, and I strongly feel that people who show such hate with no respect should in fact be punished.
I really enjoyed reading the case of Texas v. Johnson. During the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, respondent Johnson participated in a political demonstration to protest the policies of the Reagan administration and some Dallas-based corporations. After a march through the city streets, Johnson burned an American flag while protesters chanted. No one was physically injured or threatened with injury, although several witnesses were seriously offended by the fla burning. Johnson was convicted of desecration of a venerated object in violation of a Texas statute. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed holding that the State could not punish Johnson for burning the flag under these circumstances. The court first found that Johnson's burning of the flag was expressive conduct protected under the First Amendment. The court also concluded that the State could not criminally sanction flag desecration in order to preserve the flag as a symbol of national unity. I understand the First Amendment gives us all equal rights to freedom of speech, but burning the American flag is just disrespectful to others, and I strongly feel that people who show such hate with no respect should in fact be punished.
posted by Charlotte at 8:09 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Charlotte,
It's me again!
I enjoyed reading the explanation the Supreme Court justices offered, both the majority opinion and the dissenting opinion, of the Texas v. Johnson case. I printed the document from online, but that wasn't as interesting.
I agree with you and feel strongly about violation or desecration of our nation's symbols, but after having read the opinions, I had to say that he was covered under the First Amendment.
You know a lot about my opinions already. I am an outspoken Republican and Johnson was doing this outside the Republican National Convention. I know that if I was there, I would have been very much offended and angry. I mean, we have so much in this country because of what others have sacrficed and died for. And, they also died for his right to burn the flag in protest. We have the right to protest. How many other countries do not? Do you remember anything about Tienanmen (sp?) Square? Many of those protesting students were killed for protesting in China (I think).
I think that many in this country are misled. Many did not have enough education on the history of our country. But, the public school system is another issue.
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