…by one vote. So the Republicans can froth and foam about how America is under threat from liberal elements, just in time for the midterms. And they can try the amendment again next year.

I remember seeing this issue come up again and again in the 90’s, and back then I thought that such an amendment would entail an irrevokable loss of freedom of speech.

Now the flag-burning amendment seems trifling, like some quaint nostalgia.

Bush would have dearly loved this symbolic victory in an election year, but don’t you think people would like a few real victories? “Well, you stranded us in Iraq, gas prices are at record highs, the Constitution is in the shredder… but at least you passed the flag-burning amendment.”

Remind me again: How serious is this issue?

There have been four recorded acts of flag burning in the United States this year, and 13 in 2005, according to the Citizens Flag Alliance, an association of veterans’ groups which supported the amendment.

Sheesh.