Another constitutional crisis narrowly averted.

The Founding Fathers and Mothers, to include Betsy Ross, can rest easy because the Senate has once again resisted the temptation to alter the Bill of Rights by amending it to prohibit flag desecration. The proposed amendment failed by one vote to receive the 2/3 necessary to keep it alive. It’s a good thing, too.

Had it been otherwise, the President of the United States would be guilty of a Constitutional offense, committed flagrantly and in full view of the public, and recorded photographically. See, infra.

Title 4 United States Code § 8 is entitled "Respect for flag."

(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.

4 USC § 3 says:

Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; ... shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Who knows what would occur if the Chief Executive were to brazenly flout the Constitution in front of God and everyone? If past experience is any guide, the answer is absolutely nothing.



“… and tell ’em Big Mitch sent ya!”