Political Quotes

“today I add my name as an original cosponsor of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag. I know that there are many who believe that the desecration of our country's flag is the ultimate expression of their political freedoms, but I do not believe all speech is free. Our country pays a price when we see demonstrations which tear down our standard bearer of national integrity. Our flag represents the values upon which this nation was founded and our charter of government established in Philadelphia in 1787. When we no longer value the flag as a symbol of national unity and allegiance to this compact, our Republic is weakened. Burning our country's flag is not political free speech, it is political garbage. As a society, we have placed parameters on free speech. A person who shouts fire in a crowded theater does not enjoy the protection of freedom of speech. A person whose words incite violence does not enjoy the protection of the First Amendment. I firmly believe that no legitimate act of political protest should be suppressed. Nor should we ever discourage debate and discussion about the Federal government. However, to allow the physical desecration of our national symbol is to allow the ties that bind us as a country, the ties that bind one generation to the next in their love and respect for this country, to be weakened.”