Political Quotes

“every morning we open the Senate by reciting, as we just did a few moments ago, the Pledge of Allegiance. Hand over heart, we pay solemn tribute to the American flag, that sacred symbol of America's history, values, and principles. We are reminded that we are but servants, momentary players in the great unfolding of the American story. The flag--transcendent, noble, still--commands our humility and binds us in the common project of serving the body politic. It is with this understanding that, before Congress adjourns for the Fourth of July recess, I intend to bring the flag protection amendment to the floor. The proposed amendment is simple. It is a one-sentence statement that reads: ``The Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.'' Along with 80 percent of the American public and all 50 of our State legislatures, I believe the Constitution should allow laws that protect our flag. Unfortunately, in 1989, the Supreme Court overturned 200 years of precedent and struck down all laws that prohibit flag desecration. I believe their decision was misguided. In my view, desecrating the flag is not speech but an act of physical assault. We know this when we see rioting mobs in foreign countries setting our flag on fire. We can see clearly that they are engaged in a specific act of physical aggression against our country and everything for which we stand.…”