Desecrating the flag endangers US citizens

On tonight's Abrams Report, Phil Gingrey (R-GA) claimed a constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag was necessary because, due to terrorism, desecrating the flag poses a threat to American citizens with danger is on par with that posed by yelling "fire!" in a crowded theater.

"Well these are different times in which we live and because of terrorism and embolden either domestic or international terrorists in the Middle East or wherever they might be, I think burning the flag is akin today to standing up in a crowded theater and yelling fire when there is no fire. You put people at great risk when you do that and therefore your rights to freedom of speech in those circumstances should be abridged and that's what we are talking about..."

Talk about (not) keeping things in perspective.

Note: edited 23Jun05 to include link to transcript and direct quote.

Tags: symbolism; politics; constitution;Cable News; Dan Abrams

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