[bullseyebarb]

Originally Posted by Eric

Hi Barb, welcome back, eh.

Problem is not that he felt comfortable throwing the shoes, it's that too many Iraqis still feel comfortable strapping explosive to themselves and heading off for that big virgin fest in the sky.

Talking about democracy; wasn't it President Reagan who wanted to pass a law banning the burning of the American flag ... I think someone explained the First Ammendment to him, and he kinda understood it enough to back off.

I remember one Canadian expressing his freedom by shoving a pie in PM Jean Chretien's face

However, the shoe flinger is probably having the crap beaten out of him as we speak.

Thanks.

Only the radical Islamists go the bomb route.

No, it wasn't President Reagan. The anti-desecration acts go back a long way. First cropped up post Civil War.....1897-1932. Eventually, 48 states passed anti-desecration laws. The first national Flag Protection Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1968 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 1969. The Supreme Court struck down the law in 1989. Further attempts at flag protection were attempted by Congress in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006. None have passed muster.

I don't like to see the flag of my country desecrated. However, I believe it is a form of protected speech and as long as you own the flag you choose to desecrate - have at it.

We do not yet know the fate of the journalist in question. I haven't, (as of this posting), seen any credible source confirm that he is being beaten. I sincerely hope that he will not be harmed.