Democratic senator will 'beat the hell' out of flag burners

[Pericles]

Why is wanting to beat someone up who burns your country's flag so threatening to the left?  He's not saying it should be illegal - and in fact is saying quite the opposite - simply that he has a very strong distaste for someone who would do such a thing.  I would have thought most of us would, also.

Beating them up is a bit extreme, but he was probably speaking in hyperbole in a folksy way.

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

Obviously this is an almost self-parodically macho and pointless thing to say, but it takes a really constrained attitude towards cultural differences between different parts of America to find this as strongly objectionable as a lot of posters seem to.

Assaulting someone over a flag is objectionable. Promising to isn't much better. "Cultural differences" don't change that.

[RaphaelDLG]

Why is wanting to beat someone up who burns your country's flag so threatening to the left?  He's not saying it should be illegal - and in fact is saying quite the opposite - simply that he has a very strong distaste for someone who would do such a thing.  I would have thought most of us would, also.

Beating them up is a bit extreme, but he was probably speaking in hyperbole in a folksy way.

Yep to all.  would like to hear the context of the video, but seems like hyperbole

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

This whole thread cannot possibly be serious. This is why our beautiful Obama coalition is falling apart.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Obviously this is an almost self-parodically macho and pointless thing to say, but it takes a really constrained attitude towards cultural differences between different parts of America to find this as strongly objectionable as a lot of posters seem to.

Assaulting someone over a flag is objectionable. Promising to isn't much better. "Cultural differences" don't change that.

Macho hyperbole is more acceptable some places than others. I can't believe I have to spell this out.

[Shameless Lefty Hack]

Why is wanting to beat someone up who burns your country's flag so threatening to the left?  He's not saying it should be illegal - and in fact is saying quite the opposite - simply that he has a very strong distaste for someone who would do such a thing.  I would have thought most of us would, also.

Beating them up is a bit extreme, but he was probably speaking in hyperbole in a folksy way.

Yep to all.  would like to hear the context of the video, but seems like hyperbole

This, but also... I'm not entirely opposed to the sentiment. If I were at a protest (which face it, is much more likely than my being at a counter-protest) I would probably try to stop someone from burning a flag. Assault is obviously too far and is likely hyperbole.