Flag burning and free speech : the case of Texas v. Johnson /

Goldstein's rich analysis of the major Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson (1989) shows how the case pitted free speech rights against regulations that prohibit the desecration of the US flag. Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted of violating a Texas law against flag desecration during a demonstration at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas. Texas v. Johnson held that First Amendment free speech rights prevail over the government's desire to protect the US flag from desecration. Goldstein reveals the impact of the Court's decision by drawing on original documents and interviews with participants, including politically charged responses by Congress, the president, interest groups, media, and others. The decision hastened an emotional debate over the meaning of the flag as a symbol of cherished US values and sacrifices in war versus First Amendment rights. Goldstein carefully analyzes the congressional debate over the Flag Protection Act (1989), which was intended to blunt the effect of Texas v. Johnson. The Supreme Court struck down this act in US v. Eichman (1990) because the law conflicted with the Texas v. Johnson ruling. This excellent volume also reflects on the "culture war" that divides the participants in the flag desecration debate. It is similar to Anthony Lewis's Gideon's Trumpet (1964). Highly recommended at all levels. M. Hendrickson; Wilson College