This week the Senate rejected a proposed Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to prohibit "desecration" of the American flag, in what has become a biannual ritual. The Senate Commerce Committee also rejected (11, and 12-10, respectively) two Democratic proposals (one based on the Dorgan-Snowe bill, the other by Daniel Inouye) on net neutrality. But the Comittee did manage to pass (15-7) the Stevens (R-Alaska) proposal on net neutrality, S.2686. The Stevens pan doesn't do much on net neutrality, but it does include video and audio flag regulations almost identical to those floated months ago. Given that some on the Hill are voicing doubts about the (broadcast) flag provisions, and the dissatisfaction of many with the lukewarm neutrality provisions of the Stevens bill, it's unlikely to speed through.
Still, the Senators (on the Commerce Committee at least) seem intent on protecting the "sanctity" of *some* kind of flag this term. Might we suggest that instead of imposing requirements on all electronics manufacturers and consumers to worship at the altar of the broadcast flag, they could come up with a less onerous and silly bill to protect that *other* flag. How about a law requiring all manufacturers of the stars and stripes to make them fire-retardant?
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