Bandit wrote:On the contrary, you made some good points .. it's just that you negate it by coming across as a pinhead.
Okay, point taken.
The thing was, my temper was often (and ultimately) my undoing over there, as it sometimes spoiled a good point I made. Your 'tude is doing the same thing to you here. There's no need for it. If you can abide by the rigid rules of the BAUT, why the need to post something like the following here, tuff guy?
Well, it WAS status quo a while back, but once again, point taken.
Nonetheless, I've been temp banned from the BAUT twice, so I've got my own "forum war" scars.
Bandit wrote:I admit that I was a little too aggressive (and personal, especially) in my posts, but that doesn't mean I didn't mean what I said.
Nice.
Let me rephrase: I didn't need to make personal attacks on other posters as I did. Nonetheless, I *still* think that legislating "respect" in the fashion that was mentioned was something that should be avoided. I could have said what I said with some tact. I was letting personal feelings of certain posters get in the way.
Further, I was also responding in a negative fashion towards "I Am He". While I am willing to apologize to Teri Tait, I am not willing to apologize to him. Teri Tait did not make attacks against others, after all.
I am a bit cooler and less hot-headed currently, as you can see.
But then, Bandit, I think you've already got your mind made up about me, don't you?
To return to the original point of flag burning, a large reason why I feel the way I do is because of the meaning behind "buying" the flag; buying something makes it your personal property. While what the symbol represents is not your property (I.E., just because you bought it does not mean you actually "bought" the country!), how you use that symbol and property is your decision, just as it's your right to make a signboard that says, "BUSH SUCKS!"... it's your right to use that signboard in any way you desire, as it's your private property, even if it shows disrespect and others may react hostilely towards it. I also think that "vigilanteism" shown towards you for such actions should also be prevented and punished, as once again, I believe fully that someone should be capable of voicing whatever opinion he wants without fear of retribution. Once more, the Free Speech issue.
Anyhow, you bought and paid for that flag, and it's my personal opinion that you can show it however you want; you CAN hang it up and let it get rained on and desecrated if that's your way to show your love for your country. I also think that people like Enzo have every right to request you not do it; but I draw the line at legislation.
However, when they actually take someone else's property (someone else's flag, for instance) and burn it, then becomes an issue I'd take issue with, as they burned someone else's property. That's when it becomes more of a nasty issue. That's why the funeral comparison was shakey, as burning someone's corpse is burning their personal property, even if they're dead; or more specifically, the property of the family (the ones who give others the rights to desecrate the corpse... such as, say, for purposes of autopsy). Further, it's also why the "free speech doesn't mean you can shout "fire" in an elevator" complaint doesn't hold, as that's a case that puts lives in jeapordy, which means a lot more than someone burning their own personal property.
Also, me making my decision does not "dishonor" the troops. The idea of freedom of speech is the free exchange of opinions, even the ones we'd prefer not to see and hear (though Free Speech doesn't guarantee that you're forced to see or hear it, of course). Soldiers fought and died for that right, yes, and I admit it, that's noble and all. But quite frankly, they died for my right to express my opinion and making my own decision, and that's what I'm doing.
Further, I am more than willing to serve in the military through the Air Force. I am more than willing to put my life on the line (but honestly, I'd rather sit and pilot semi-autonomous vehicles... that's what I'd *love* to do). But honestly, I think that it's just as respectful and honorable to try to change your country for the better. Why is being a soldier so much more patriotic than being someone who strives and succeeds in college, and continues on into politics to try to make changes for the better? That's why the whole "more patriotic than thou" attitude REALLY chafes my neck.
Anyhow, I apologize to Teri Tait. I was more aggressive than I should have.
I admit I was hazy on the details of the case but only wanted someting as a for example.
