
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 9, 1990                   TAG: 9003122946
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FLAG-BURNING RULING VINDICATED FREEDOM

I WAS EXTREMELY pleased with the recent federal ruling on flag-burning. Judge Barbara Rothstein's verdict was a vindication of what the principles of freedom and democracy really mean to this nation.

As soon as Congress passed the Flag Protection Act last fall, I thought it unconstitutional. Like most other Americans, I am somewhat repelled by the destruction of the country's symbol of freedom. But I feel that if freedom of speech is to be exercised as it is guaranteed in the First Amendment, then these political dissidents should be allowed to burn the flag.

The destruction of a flag is not dangerous to the concepts of freedom. The destruction of the freedom to burn the flag is more dangerous. After the first freedom is taken away, who knows what other freedoms will follow?\ JOHN RIEDL HUDDLESTON

by CNB