1.) Opening up the Constitution in the current political climate is an insane proposition. Who knows what sort of screwy riders we'd see tacked on.

2.) The proposed amendment, as I understand it, is extremely vague. What constitutes a flag? Does the full page image of the flag in the newspaper every July 4th count? And if so, does that mean I can never throw away that issue? Or those little tags on clothes that say "Made in America"? All I've heard is along the lines of "thou shalt not desecrate the flag", with no definition of what a flag is, or what constitutes desecration.

3.) This is a minor issue at best. Unless I'm missing something, this nation isn't being plagued by millions of malicious flag-burners. If you have to make a law against it, why does it have to be an amendment? Of course, this one has an easy answer, to be found in number four.

4.) It's blatently unconstitutional. Nothing in this country is sacred. No institution is above criticism, and no symbol is above defacement. Our President is called "Mr. President," not "Your highness." The flag is no different. Elevating it beyond a symbol turns it into an icon. Aside from the free speech issue, that could be viewed as violating the seperation of church and state. After all, if you give the state an icon which cannot, under pain of imprisonment, be defaced, are you not, in effect creating a state religion around flag worship?

Violating the fundamental tenets of the Constitution seems like a far greater insult to those who have given everything for our freedom then burning a flag would be.

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"Should have changed that stupid lock. Should have thrown away the key. No no, not I, I will survive, right down here on my knees."
--
They Might Be Giants

As an ex-defender of Constitutional Rights. Burn all the Flags, we'll make more.

I don't particulary care if anyone burns a flag unless I'm wrapped in it.
If you couldn't burn the symbol of America in America, that would defy the whole 1st Admendmant. The Military is called upon to defend the Constitution, and that means flag burning is allowed. No matter what it symbolisizes.

However, I don't think that burning the flag constitutes free speech, either, not beyond the statement I made in the quote above. It's a statement of poor debate skills.

I think it should be reclassified to fall under the speech commonly considered as "Fighting words", or "You can say it, but don't be suprised if you get knocked on your ass for it."

My immediate reaction when I see such behavioural examples is disgust and contempt.

Like I'm really going to pay serious unbiased attention to the merits of the point of view of someone who elicits those reactions in me.