As law? yes, under free speech. As a practice? Not sure. It depends on why you're burning it.

Absolutely.

It's ironic that burning a flag is considered one of the only acceptable ways to destroy a tattered one yet burning for reasons of protest is perceived as near treason.

The fact that it's offensive is not enough to deem it unacceptable and is in fact why it's an effective act of protest.

Furthermore, for the dissenters, the flag does not represent the same things it does to the patriotic majority. The right to disagree is one of the most fundamental rights we hold in this country. And just as flag burners are welcome to disagree via their flag burning, you are welcome to disagree with their actions. That's the beauty of the USA.

Detestable? Arguably, yes.

But "acceptable"? Certainly. Free speech is free speech. It matters not if one disagrees with the idea(s) being expressed.

Any act of protest that does not infringe on another's rights is perfectly acceptable.

However, this kind of protest is not very persuasive.

It's perfectly acceptable. Why not? I understand the symbolic meaning, but, really, when it comes down to it, it's just a piece of fabric in the hands of an angry person with a lighter.

I'll never forget my years as a camper at Girl Scout camp. Every morning and evening, we had a flag ceremony, in which a group of girls--different age group each day--would unfold and raise/lower and fold the flag as we recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "Taps." A group of six-year-olds had this responsibility one day, and one of the girls accidentally let a corner of the flag touch the ground. I can still remember how horrified everybody was, while I was just like... come on. She's six. And it's a flag. Get over it.

absolutely you should be able to burn a flag. you have the freedom of speech in this country. to protect your self while doing it always have a gun handy.

Yes, it always has been so but never more so than in the Viet Nam era where there seemed to be a flag going up in flames every five minutes. People felt disenfranchised from their own country during this time and they showed it by marching burning the flag and dozens of other types of protests against the war. It was a tragic time.

I think it is very scary when people say things like "burn these stripes and you'll see stars"- this is America. We were born rebels, and we fought for freedom of speech, among other things. What I find really sad is how un-familiar most people are with the proper handling of the flag- like how it should never touch the ground, or how the proper way to retire a flag is to burn it- usually while playing taps. No lie. I am am Eagle Scout, and I know these things.

Also, I think it is as offensive to yell "you lie" to a sitting President during a speech to both houses of congress as it is to burn a flag in protest.

Acceptable as law? Sure. This is America and we have the right to free speech.

But acceptable as an action? No. I don't find it acceptable at all. You can do it, but I will look down on you for doing it.

I would say yes, but there is no real reason to it. It's like saying "fuck" only when you're angry... it means something because you don't usually say it, and it's a pretty bad word, especially to some people, but it's meaningless or useless to say.

So as an acceptable means of protest, no. If you're protesting you should have something more meaningful to demonstrate than burning flags.

yes i agree with the person named thepryg. Yes we have the right of free speech and we can protest but burning the flag is unacceptable and by doing that just shows how much respect us American citizens have for our beloved country

Isn't it against the law? So it's like not acceptable by the norms of society. If you burn a symbol of your own freedom than isn't that asking to be enslaved or deported to a third world country? So no! It most certainly is NOT acceptable!

"Hey thanks for this freedom of speech America. Now I will use it to disrespect you!"

Go burn it somewhere els! D<

no how can the burning of flag represent the sign of protest............................it is utter foolishness......................according to me it will increase the pollution rather increase the protest............

It is absolutely Unacceptable. It is an illegal act under U.S. Code Title 18, Part1, § "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." It is irresponsible, and is grounds for imprisonment.

That is not acceptable if you don't like our country get out!

Well the constitution says it is acceptable, but it's just about the worst slap in the face for all the people who have made so many sacrifices to give you the best life possible. If saw someone burning the American Flag, I might just hit them back.

According to Nancy Pelosi your all just a bunch of ignorant crazy Nazi's out of control.