He should be charged trespassing and some form of property damage/theft for the cost of the flag. When burning an American flag becomes terrorism then I’ll agree that this sentence is in line with standards for similar crimes. Otherwise no.
thanks lol my state does not recognize those people i could burn 10 of those flags and i would just get a citation for burning garbage inside city limits lol. no one would believe me unless i had an actual prison record saying its because i burned a irrelevant flag lol thats how my state see's it anyway
Apparently, exercising free speech can now get you 15 years in prison. That's what they want to do to those who criticize Israel, too. The guy should have been charged with theft of the flag. Period.
What he did was wrong and unjustifiable, but I don't think it warrants 16 years in prison. Perhaps a more suitable punishment would be to fine him, and give the money to a charity for LGBT people in need.
You know damn well arson laws specifically refer to structures and wilderness Flag burning is protected by the first amendment. Is it arson to burn my own books?
Guess who's going to burn like that flag for eternity? Dont worry about homosexuals , its they're time to express themselves. Soon it will be GODS turn to express his wrath.
He did not get 15 years for burning a flag. He already had several previous felonies and had made death threats ( another crime). This is why I get pissed at the media ( be it liberal or even conservatives)- they know that many people read only the headliners and jump to conclusions based on that.
Seams reasonable. He burned someone elses property, he committed a hate crime and third-degree harassment afterwards and he got a harsher punishment because he was an "Habitual offender" with multiple previous felonies.
I don't think he commited a hate crime, and I didn't see how he was harassing people, nor did I see the part that he had multiple felonies, but that would explain it
@SwordShield It's a community that celebrates mental illness and leaves it untreated, staying on the path to suicide. It's awful and self destructive and as such shouldn't be encouraged.
@SwordShield They have untreated mental illnesses that they ignore and try to "embrace" instead of seeking treatment, which leads to massive suicide rates that are found exclusively in that community. Even American slaves and Jews in the holocaust didn't commit suicide at the same rate as them, which proves definitively that it's not solely through bad treatment of them that causes this.
Ok, op isn't exactly correct about the terms of arson. However, this man threatened to kill people via fire and came back to light fire to an object, to which then could have been used to start a fire. The fact he has prior felony convictions and then this threat is what got him his fifteen years.
I believe he will appeal and it will be turned over. It isn't even a misdemeanor to destroy property of that low a value in most places. Nor would it be trespassing to go to a public building, nor is it arson to burn a flag. And as far as i know, hate crimes can only be tacked on to violent crimes. So if he's not charged with a violent crime that sticks on appeal it will be thrown out too. Ie because its completely legal to say "i hate gays"
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I6 years is waaaay too long a sentence for that offence😵
He should be charged trespassing and some form of property damage/theft for the cost of the flag. When burning an American flag becomes terrorism then I’ll agree that this sentence is in line with standards for similar crimes. Otherwise no.
i might go to Iowa just because i want to go there and go to prison for burning one too!
LOL. Have fun
thanks lol my state does not recognize those people i could burn 10 of those flags and i would just get a citation for burning garbage inside city limits lol. no one would believe me unless i had an actual prison record saying its because i burned a irrelevant flag lol thats how my state see's it anyway
LOL. Is your state Texas?
And that garbage comment was great. LOL
no north carolina i live int eh bible belt that junk dont fly you got one small city with a bunch of
progressives but nothing major
Apparently, exercising free speech can now get you 15 years in prison. That's what they want to do to those who criticize Israel, too.
The guy should have been charged with theft of the flag. Period.
What he did was wrong and unjustifiable, but I don't think it warrants 16 years in prison. Perhaps a more suitable punishment would be to fine him, and give the money to a charity for LGBT people in need.
The only thing i found wrong was the theft
You don't think arson is a crime?
He didn't burn down a building
ar·son
/ˈärs (ə) n/
Learn to pronounce
noun
the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property
You know damn well arson laws specifically refer to structures and wilderness
Flag burning is protected by the first amendment.
Is it arson to burn my own books?
That is stupid it theift under $5000 not manslaughter
EXACTLY
Petty theft and destruction of property and perhaps creating a public hazard, AT MOST
I would say at max he should do 3-4 months in jail and have to pay a fine. That's a bit ridiculous.
Guess who's going to burn like that flag for eternity? Dont worry about homosexuals , its they're time to express themselves. Soon it will be GODS turn to express his wrath.
LOL.
I heard of child predators who get less time than that. 16 years is very excessive.
He has done other crimes
Damn murders & rapists get less time. Just goes to show how fucked up the justice system really is.
Too harsh!
I would have sentenced him to attend 16 LGBT community gathering nicely
LOL.
I am not one much for the gay flag but...
He did not get 15 years for burning a flag. He already had several previous felonies and had made death threats ( another crime).
This is why I get pissed at the media ( be it liberal or even conservatives)- they know that many people read only the headliners and jump to conclusions based on that.
Wtf. He should've maybe paid for new flag at most. I hope Trump will pardon that innocent guy.
He's Hispanic, so probably not
I don't think he dislikes hispanics.
I guess the American flag is not important anymore and a lame LGBT flag takes top billing. I have a feeling the judge was gay.
The judge must have been a LGBT member himself/herself
That's what I'm thinking
Seams reasonable. He burned someone elses property, he committed a hate crime and third-degree harassment afterwards and he got a harsher punishment because he was an "Habitual offender" with multiple previous felonies.
I don't think he commited a hate crime, and I didn't see how he was harassing people, nor did I see the part that he had multiple felonies, but that would explain it
Well they dont make good headlines.
Did you find another article?
For what its worth I think this one broke the news in the first place:
www.desmoinesregister.com/.../
He should be REWARDED for burning the flag, not punished, wtf!!!
Especially since Iowa is a Red state
Uhh… Dude... Why?
@SwordShield It's a community that celebrates mental illness and leaves it untreated, staying on the path to suicide. It's awful and self destructive and as such shouldn't be encouraged.
Being gay is a mental illness? Bruh, they would kill themselves even if they were "normalized". You know nothing. Gtfo.
@SwordShield They have untreated mental illnesses that they ignore and try to "embrace" instead of seeking treatment, which leads to massive suicide rates that are found exclusively in that community. Even American slaves and Jews in the holocaust didn't commit suicide at the same rate as them, which proves definitively that it's not solely through bad treatment of them that causes this.
Ok, op isn't exactly correct about the terms of arson. However, this man threatened to kill people via fire and came back to light fire to an object, to which then could have been used to start a fire. The fact he has prior felony convictions and then this threat is what got him his fifteen years.
I believe he will appeal and it will be turned over. It isn't even a misdemeanor to destroy property of that low a value in most places. Nor would it be trespassing to go to a public building, nor is it arson to burn a flag. And as far as i know, hate crimes can only be tacked on to violent crimes. So if he's not charged with a violent crime that sticks on appeal it will be thrown out too. Ie because its completely legal to say "i hate gays"
Congratulations Iowa you life under tyranny. Likely unconstitutional so i assume it would be appealed if fought.
Just read the comments and i was quick to judge. Charge him the appropriate fine for destruction of private property.