Ensign, Reid to vote to ban flag burning

WASHINGTON -- Both of Nevada's senators say they will vote this week for a constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the American flag.

After years of rejection, the flag amendment is just one vote shy of gaining the super majority of 67 votes needed to pass the Senate.

Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., are among the amendment's supporters.

"I just think the flag is a special symbol that represents the things that our people in uniform have fought and died for," Ensign said. "It is a symbol we should honor by not allowing it to be desecrated."

snip...

Many Democrats are expected to oppose the amendment, but Reid, the Senate Democratic leader, said he remains convinced that voting to ban flag desecration "is the right thing to do."

Reid's vote might become even more important because Senate Republican Whip Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has said he will oppose the amendment.

more...

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jun-27-Tue-2006/news/8180864.html

Anything to avoid real problems. Let's just add a constitutional amendment for every trivial political issue and all will be ok .

Reid is just another gutless Dem. Kudos to McConnell for exhibiting some control.

whip...

I read somewhere eariler this morning that Reid charged Frist and the radical Republicans with bringing this issue up for the sheer politics of 2006.

He was correct.

Now to hear that he is going to vote for this anti-free speech amendment anyway is a real downer.

In other words, Bush/Rove/radical Republican political bullying works.

And the establishment Democrats wonder why they can get no traction on the "strong" and "resolved" and "can be trusted to stick-up for America" characteristics?????

Rove serves up these stupid wedge issue trap votes and the Democrats in Washington walk right into the pit.

"Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory."

Thanks, for nothing Harry.

steely of eye, resolute he takes the forefront and impresses us all with his valiantry ...

Why dont people join the party that is on ther heart?????......Guess ole Harry doesnt like our freedoms either...

As long as he is the minority leader -- then I am an Independent Liberal.

The democratic party had better wake up and notice where the people are going -- because the so called leaders are NOT leading -- with a few wonderful exceptions.

A Mormon has every right to be elected to the Senate or Congress -- but NEVER as a leader -- his religious beliefs should eliminate him for ALL party leadership roles. Period.

This is a just a big GOP wedge issue. Yawn.

right to make the laws -not the SC.

As he obvioulsy has no leadership skills at all. Makes one wish for Daschle at the helm.

Dear Senator Reid,

I am writing to you as Senate Minority Whip. I just read that you will support the proposed Constitutional amendment granting powers to Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag. For the life of me, I cannot understand how violating the spirit of the Constitution by adding a non-essential, feel good, yet undefined amendment fulfills the principles of the Democratic Party.

When will the Congress get around to defining what is 'desecration' and what is 'the flag'? Will it include all representations of 'the flag', including those little paper ones that will be thrown in the trash by the millions, this July 4th? Will it ban the blazon use of 'the flag' as personal decoration on clothing, underwear, paper plates, and campaign ads? Will you define the dimensions that constitute 'the flag'? Will it be applicable to drawn, hand-sewn, and physically similar, but not actuate flags as well?

You know, when I went to school way back in the 50's, I was taught that the Senate and House were there to defend the Constitution and the people of the country. Now, with the advancement of the Neo-con (semi-fascist) ideology, it appears suppressing the Constitutional-given rights of citizens, including freedom of dissent and of speech, are the primary goals.

I notice that your list of 'subjects' does not include Civil Rights nor the Constitution.

Sincerely,

Reid. I wrote him last year about his bankruptcy bill bull crap. Got a worthless form letter back.

better get all the flag burning out of my system soon..

Reid isn't up for reelection until 2010.

Yet he feels the need to side with the Republicans over this ridiculous issue.

Tells you a lot about the man.

Time to get me a WHITE flag to hang outside my house....

being manufactured in China. Why don't they debate that little nugget?

He is weak, he buckles, he needs to be replaced pronto!

pure public relations and of no consequence whatever. Who cares? The next time there's a flag decorating a cake at some veterans' celebration, let's arrest them all for flag-eating. Ha.

n/t

He's done too much right to rake him over the coals for a vote on a pathetic grab by the soon-to-be out of power GOP that wasn't going to pass anyway.

Do I disagree with the vote? Yes
Do I still say "Give 'em hell, Harry?" Hell yeah!