What is desecration?
Burning isn’t the only issue. If the desecration amendment passes, legislators grappling with a statute will have to define what desecration means. Does it include wearing the flag as a shirt or swimsuit? Using it in commercials? Letting it touch the floor the way you always feared you’d do as a kid when you carried the flag across the school gym at an assembly? In 2003, President Bush autographed a flag during a stop in Michigan. That put him in violation of U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8 (g): “The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.” No charges were filed. The U.S. Code regarding the flag has no penalties for violations. It is intended as a guide to ensure respect. Using the flag’s image on apparel and other products has come full circle since the early 1900s when it was widely used on products, causing states to adopt anti-desecration laws. In 19
