text: is burning the american flag really a freedom of speech? or desecration of an american symbol? we hold our freedom of speech to be one of our greatest freedoms in the usa. can someone burn the greatest symbol of the country in protest and still be loyal to this country? isn't there other forms of protest that can be more positive and productive? how can you love your country and spit on and burn its most treasured symbol? obviously, it's both.  the constitution protects freedom of expression, but there is nothing in the constitution about a flag.  therefore the right of self expression, including desecration of the flag, is a higher law than laws prohibiting flag desecration.  or in other words, the constitution does not prohibit flag desecration; on the contrary, the constitution protects it.  one problem with flag "desecration" is defining it.  i have seen beach towels and bathing suits and underwear that show the us flag.  why isn't it desecration to use the flag as a carpet or towel or clothing?