Dominican flag burned by haitian

a haitian living in our dominican republic burned our flag and he was just deported. he was very lucky that the president is not Balaguer or Trujillo.

You ought to be American, John, even our own citizens (not to mention scores of foreign countries) burn the U.S. Flag as a form of protest. I, personally, resent it...but guess THEY have a right to protest.

come on guys let's be honest---it should be obvious-the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression far exceeds your feelings for a piece of cloth, as dearly as you may hold it--lot's of emotion here but in your heart you know it's right to burn a flag in protest--where's the harm

Carol, apparently you did not read the last sentence...I said THEY (flag burners) had a RIGHT to protest.

And yes, it is just a piece of cloth....but you should read more about symbolism...to many, it is not the cloth but what it represents....

It has been a LONG time, but in grade school AND high school, every morning, we did the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.

WHY? For what purpose I ask you? To teach us to memorize?

I don't know your age but have you ever heard of SURIBACHI

A volcanic hill on the island of Iwo Jima.
It is famous for the dramatic photograph of U.S. Marines raising the American flag on its summit on February 23, 1945, after the island was captured from the Japanese.

It was just a little piece of cloth....why the big deal?

One of the two most famous photos of the era and it now stands as a monument in Washington, D.C.

You mention freedom of speech and freedom of expression....exactly two of the things the flag "represents"

Carol...I can't believe you said "but in your heart you know it's right to burn a flag in protest" may I ask what countrie your from? Certainly not from Canada or the U.S.A.(I hope)Carol it's never right to burn a flag...accepted maybe...right never!

First of all, exactly what were they protesting?

Second, you're right, there is a Suribachi monument in D.C. But the original one stands proudly on the 1st Batallion Parade Deck at Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

Rafael.

Not exactly sure what they were protesting....some have said it was a protest, some a sort of ritual others claim they did not have money to return to Haiti and wanted to be deported....who knows?

Yes, have seen BOTH monuments but more tourists get to see the one in DC (fortunately or unfortunately?)

Rafael, why do I get the distinct impression you are a "jar head"?

CHEERS!

thanks for the history lesson gentlemen--of course it's a symbol and a symbol that is probably revered, if not held sacred, by the vast majority of americans---a symbol of the freedoms they cherish living in the land of the free
it is for that very reason that the flag is chosen as an instrument of protest-----to spit upon, to burn, or in any way demean what americans hold sacred is,probably in the eyes of the protesters,
the most powerful and effective way to express their outrage or disgust at what they perceive to be an injustice
come on gentlemen--it's a protest--roll with the punches--you've been watching too many john wayne movies---hmmmmm-now there's a good way of protesting--burn john wayne in effigy
and yes doug,i'm canadian, who along with the vast majority of canadians are constantly amused at how easily american sensibilities are offended

Carol,

I don't think you read the whole thread very carefully. First, it was a Dominican flag that was burned by a Haitian in the Dominican Republic. Secondly, Doug is posting from a Canadian site and stated that most Canadians and U.S. citizens would be upset about their flag being burnt. Nowhere was the issue made into a solely U.S.A problem.

Actually, Carol, I think you might avoid the generalizations of "the vast majority of Canadians are constantly amused" since I doubt you have done any serious research to back up that statement. Yes, the flag is a powerful symbol and, yes, many people get upset when they see it degraded, whether they are U.S. citizens, Canadians, Dominicans, or any other nationality makes little difference. Also, there are protesters who like to protest for the sake of protesting, individuals who like to argue and disagree because they can, and voice a different point of view because legally they are protected from the possibility of random arrest. Try burning a national flag in protest in places like China, Vietnam, or North Korea and see how mild the official response will be.

i'm canadian, who along with the vast majority of canadians are constantly amused at how easily american sensibilities are offended

I find it difficult to believe you are the spokesperson for the majority of my Canadian Cousins.

I vividly recall the time in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics after Canada had saved "the bacon" of several American hostages in the Middle East crisis.....when Canada marched into the arena....it was to a STANDING OVATION by thousands of Americans who were most appreciative of our Canadian Cousins. There was hardly a dry eye in the place.....I know.....I was there.

And on a more personal note; on two separate occasions, years ago, MY "bacon" was saved by the intervention of some Canadians when I was in the Far East and again in Europe. The "locals" thought they had an easy mark in a bar and it was Canadians who came to the rescue of a "mate."

I would no more approve of desecration of the Maple Leaf than I would the Stars and Stripes and the Canadians that I KNOW would not either.

burn John Wayne in effigy.... not a bad idea; but for a different reason than yours.....turns out he was a wife beater and a drunk...but maybe "macho" John had a right?

Let me end this by saying....you are certainly not like any Canadians I know....the ones that I know respect the fact and are proud that we share the largest un-guarded border in the world.

And as tgf said....and alluded to the fact, that you can be in some countries and get shot for protest or saying unkind words about the leaders of said country.