Russ Feingold: “I strongly oppose S.J. Res. 12. Make no mistake, we are talking here today about modifying the Constitution of the…”

“I strongly oppose S.J. Res. 12. Make no mistake, we are talking here today about modifying the Constitution of the United States to permit the Government to criminalize conduct that all of us find offensive and wrong, but that is protected by the first amendment. This amendment would, for the first time, amend the Bill of Rights. I cannot support this course. Let me make one thing clear at the outset. Not a single Senator who opposes the proposed constitutional amendment, as I do, supports burning or otherwise showing disrespect to the flag. Not a single one. None of us think it is ``OK'' to burn the flag. None of us view the flag as ``just a piece of cloth.'' On those rare occasions when some malcontent defiles or burns our flag, I join everyone in this Chamber in condemning that action. But we must also defend the right of all Americans to express their views about their Government, however hateful or spiteful or disrespectful those views may be, without fear of their Government putting them in jail for those views. America is not simply a Nation of symbols, it is a Nation of principles. And the most important principle of all, the principle that has made this country a beacon of hope and inspiration for oppressed peoples throughout the world, is the right of free expression. This amendment threatens that right, so I must oppose it.…”