flag mutilation Options

[smile4me]

are we, as Americans, entitled to mutilate flags? (ie. burning, putting extraneous signs next to/by flags...etc)....if nobody is hurt in the process?
Does it violate the First Amendment when people express their opinions (such as antiwar, disagreeance with a law...etc) by burning the flag?
...And when it is said "Freedom of speech", does that stop at the literal sense of speech?


Several cases have already been recorded for people that have been arrested and tried for things such as "mutilation" of the flag. One case involves a person who simply placed a peace sign on a flag with removable tape.
This flag was his property. He was arrested for placing this peace sign (the circle thingy with the three lines inside) on his flag.
Another case (Texas vs. Johnson) involved the man actually burning the flag as a form of protest...


Anyway, I think that flag mutilation does not harm anybody or infringe on anybody's right for safety, and therefore, nothing is wrong with it.

Your thoughts?

[sadolakced acid]

  ive heard from my gov teacher ( a lawyer) that its legal to burn a flag but its illegal to burn a cross in protest even tho im a christian it still does not make sense why u can burn an american 'icon' i guess u could call it but u cant burn a cross in protest i dont no it doesnt make a whole lot of sense 2 me but o well

if that's true i think i'd have to organize a cross burning...