Texas v. Johnson & American Flag Stands for Tolerance

What event are “Texas v. Johnson” and “American Flag Stands for Tolerance” about?

• Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for flag burning at the 1984 Republican National Convention

• Justice Brennan spoke against flag burning at the 1989 Democratic National Convention

• Ronald J. Allen was arrested for protesting Texas v. Johnson in 1989

• Texas wanted to make flag burning legal in 1984

What type of document is “Texas v. Johnson”? What type of document is “American Flag Stands for Tolerance”?

• Reference Material and Newspaper Editorial

• Reference Material and Persuasive Essay

• Seminal Document and Newspaper Editorial

• Seminal Document and Persuasive Essay

Why did Texas want flag burning to be illegal?

• They believed it “is an act having a high likelihood to cause a breach of the peace”

• Our dogma/principles allow each American to think and express anything they want, but the flag deserves (a modicum of) respect

• The First Amendment does not protect us from distasteful speech, but it does protect us from injury and destruction of property

• Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should

In “Texas v. Johnson”, how does Justice Brennan think the ruling will strengthen the flag?

• Exercising our freedom reaffirms/supports what our flag stands for

• The flag survived the bombardment on Ft. McHenry and will survive the court’s decision

• Our dogma/principles allow each American to think and express anything they want, but the flag deserves (a modicum of) respect

• The First Amendment does not protect us from distasteful speech, but it does protect us from injury and destruction of property

In “Texas v. Johnson”, what does Fort McHenry have to do with the flag’s “resilience” as it relates to the court case?

• They believed it “is an act having a high likelihood to cause a breach of the peace”

• Exercising our freedom reaffirms/supports what our flag stands for

• The flag survived the bombardment on Ft. McHenry and will survive the court’s decision

• Our dogma/principles allow each American to think and express anything they want, but the flag deserves (a modicum of) respect

In “American Flag Stands for Tolerance”, Ronald J. Allen refers to the “freedom of conscience and expression”. Name the 5 rights or “freedoms” guaranteed by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

• All men are created equal, unalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty

• Freedom of religion, speech, press, to assemble, to petition

• Right to bear arms, from quartering, of warrant, from incrimination, of fair trial

In “American Flag Stands for Tolerance”, what does Ronald J. Allen mean when he says, “Any messages that burning the flag might convey can easily be communicated in other ways”?

• Exercising our freedom reaffirms/supports what our flag stands for

• Our dogma/principles allow each American to think and express anything they want, but the flag deserves (a modicum of) respect

• The First Amendment does not protect us from distasteful speech, but it does protect us from injury and destruction of property

• Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should

In “American Flag Stands for Tolerance”, what does the statement about the People’s Republic of China have to do with the quote “Official dogma is not better (perhaps no worse) than the beliefs of private citizens”?

• Exercising our freedom reaffirms/supports what our flag stands for

• Our dogma/principles allow each American to think and express anything they want, but the flag deserves (a modicum of) respect

• All humans deserve basic rights and equal respect

• Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should

How does the title of “American Flag Stands for Tolerance” relate to the exception to our dogma?

• Exercising our freedom reaffirms/supports what our flag stands for

• Our dogma/principles allow each American to think and express anything they want, but the flag deserves (a modicum of) respect

• The First Amendment does not protect us from distasteful speech, but it does protect us from injury and destruction of property

• Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should

Did Ronald J. Allen agree with the court’s ruling? Explain.

• No because it “is an act having a high likelihood to cause a breach of the peace”

• Yes because exercising our freedom reaffirms/supports what our flag stands for

• No, but the flag survived the bombardment on Ft. McHenry and will survive the court’s decision

• Yes, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should