Waving The Flag?

Why is the US Senate wasting time concerning itself with an unnecessary flag desecration amendment to the constitution?

Those in favor of the amendment have a point. Arlen Spector said

...flag burning should not be considered speech protected by the First Amendment, but an action "designed to antagonize, designed to hurt," not "designed to persuade."

Patrick Leahy of Vermont, also has a point

"We should have confidence our institutions are stronger than a bunch of hooligans," Mr. Leahy said. "Do not cut back on the First Amendment and our Bill of Rights for the first time in history."

Whatever one's position might be, common sense dictates that Iraq, Iran, Darfur, North Korea , the UN, healthcare and other domestic issues should be on the minds of lawmakers.

The issue does not cut strictly along party lines. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, supports the amendment, while Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, opposes it.