Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
July is a month for patriotic expression.
What a thrill, for example, over the July 4th weekend to see Old Glory displayed so far and wide. Our nation’s flag is an impressive symbol of freedom. It evokes strong, yet tender emotions. The Stars and Stripes deserves to be honored and revered.
But, is it really necessary to amend the U.S. Constitution to protect it?
Senator Orrin Hatch thinks so. Once again, he’s chief sponsor of a proposed amendment that would protect the American flag from desecration. He argues the amendment is necessary because efforts to protect the flag by federal and state statutes have been struck down in court.
Utah’s other Senator, Bob Bennett, has taken another position. He has said he’s hesitant to tinker with the Constitution to do what could be better accomplished through other legislative means. Amending the Constitution, is simply too drastic a step.
While respecting Senator Hatch’s fervor, KSL supports the reasonable position of Senator Bennett.
We love the flag and all it represents. However, in KSL’s view, it is better to protect the freedoms symbolized by Old Glory, such as free speech, rather than amend the Constitution in what would be a futile attempt to restrict occasional, but admittedly disgusting, even profane public acts of flag desecration.
