I didn't even think people did that anymore

So the flag burning amendment didn't pass. It was close. It was also silly.

I know it's the symbol of our country. I also believe in our country you have the right to be as stupid as you want to be as long as it doesn't hurt people. Yes, flag burning is stupid, but it doesn't hurt people. What does hurt people is with all the problems our govenment could be trying to solve, this should be at the back of the list (if it is to be on the list at all). I was against the war at the start (for I predicted exactly would happen; it pays to have studied history), but we can't leave now or the whole area will collapse. We are stuck in a situation where we have to choose the right wrong. But I'm kind of confused on what kind of message this sends to our troops. I know they love the flag and are fighting for what it represents, but wouldn't they appreciate Congress looking at spending money that could make them safer, or discussing ideas that could bring them home sooner. Instead, they are debating something that I would be almost 98% of the population as never seen happen in person. As one talking head said most Americans would run to a burning flag, stamp it out, and then give the person doing it a piece of their mind. But do we really need to have the government get involved in this?