The Senate fell one vote short needed for a 2/3 majority to pass the proposed constitutional amendment that would give Congress the right to ban flag burning.
Democratic senators argued that the Republican majority was willing to alter the First Amendment for political gain. Of course, the Dems got their little political dig in as well with an amendment to the amendment proposed by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Had Durbin’s measure passed it would have made flag desecration illegal on federal property under certain conditions and would also prohibit demonstrations from taking place near a funeral for a service member. The latter provision comes because of the religious nut-jobs from a Kansas Missionary Baptist Church who are protesting at funerals of those service members killed in Iraq. The nut-jobs say God is getting even for tolerance of homosexuals in this country. (New motto: God, he doesn’t get mad, he gets even)
Durbin’s amendment failed but it now gives Democrats the chance to point at Republicans and say: “You voted against protecting the funerals of American troops killed in Iraq.” Which is only slightly better than the Republicans being able to say about Democrats: “You voted against protecting the flag.”
Is this a great country, or what?