The Catholic Defender: What it means to disrespect the American Flag
Last night I kind of got caught up in the frenzy over the current disrespecting of the American Flag writing my article, "Many in the NFL are waging war on the American Flag". Now celebrities and even children are now getting into the act. I don't think most of them know what all this is really about?
On June 14, 1923, or Flag Day, a federal code was put in place that would serve as a guideline for how to handle the American flag. This lead to Title 18:
UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 18
Part I. CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 33 - EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND NAMES
THIS TITLE WAS ENACTED BY ACT JUNE 25, 1948, CH. 645, SEC. 1, 62 STAT. 683
(a)(1) Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
(2) This subsection does not prohibit any conduct consisting of the disposal of a flag when it has become worn or soiled.
(b) As used in this section, the term 'flag of the United States' means any flag of the United States, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, in a form that is commonly displayed.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of Congress to deprive any State, territory, possession, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of jurisdiction over any offense over which it would have jurisdiction in the absence of this section.
(d)(1) An appeal may be taken directly to the Supreme Court of the United States from any interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order issued by a United States district court ruling upon the constitutionality of subsection (a).
(2) The Supreme Court shall, if it has not previously ruled on the question, accept jurisdiction over the appeal and advance on the docket and expedite to the greatest extent possible.
Over the past several years we have seen many times the burning of the flag, people stomping on it usually from protesters who are far left-wing agitators attending to upstage events.
There is a sinister agenda behind those who plan such events. This is a radical call to change which many are used as puppets to deceive an unwilling world. Many of the NFL football players disrespecting the National Anthem and the American Flag might in their own minds think they have a good cause, but they are simply pawns.
There are dark forces behind such protests with the purpose for this radical change to bring down American Patriotism and Democracy.
Francis Scott Key was working to release American prisoners of war when the British fleet began firing a 24 hour cannonade upon Fort McHenry.
On the morning of September 14, 1812 when the smoke cleared away, the American Flag was scene despite all attempts by the British to knock it down. Later, it was learned that despite the many hits the flag took, men held it up.
Men sacrificed their lives holding up the American Flag which is still the rallying point of the Unites States Military.
Many have fought to preserve our freedoms, our way of life, our Constitution, many from all walks, religions, races, creeds have given the greatest sacrifice for their Country.
To some, the disrespecting of the American Flag is a simple protest for free speech, but for the American Patriot, it is a deformation. For those who love America and cherish our liberty and freedoms, we do not want to see people disrespecting our National Anthem and Flag at our American past time events at football and baseball games.
President Trump does have a point, the National Football League would be wise to listen to the people they depend on to come to the games, to watch them on television, to buy their items. To the Socialist and Communist, this is their plan, to divide and conquer.
