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TIME: Almanac 1990
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1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
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080789
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08078900.034
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1990-09-17
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NATION, Page 23American NotesTHE FLAGThe Burning Question
Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled six weeks ago that
torching an American flag is a constitutionally protected form of
speech, politicians have stampeded to show off their patriotic
fealty to Old Glory. Last week the House Judiciary Committee
approved a Democratic proposal that would make setting fire to the
Stars and Stripes a federal crime punishable by a year in prison.
The measure could run into opposition from other Congressmen who
think that nothing short of a constitutional amendment will serve
to protect the flag from fiery desecration.
Now, thanks to American ingenuity, another means of thwarting
the unflagging zeal of those who might enjoy seeing the flag go up
in flames may be at hand. Servpro Industries of Gallatin, Tenn.,
a residential and commercial cleaning franchiser, is offering to
fireproof its customers' flags by spraying them with a flame
retardant guaranteed to protect cloth from temperatures of more
than 3,000 degrees F.
Some outlets will offer the service free; others will charge
a small fee. "One or two sprays a year," the company promises, "and
the flag can be protected forever." Sometimes chemicals can do what
the Constitution can't.