During recent decades in several cases involving symbolic speech and protest, the United States Supreme Court has declared (a) that one does not have a right under the First Amendment to burn one's draft card; (b) that one does have a right under the First Amendment publicly to burn (or otherwise deface) an American flag; and (c) that one sometimes (but sometimes not) has a right under the First Amendment to engage in KKK-style cross-burning. In these cases, has the Court been confused in terms of applying the First Amendment, or is there a theoretical (doctrinal) consistency lurking within these contrary outcomes? Explain. (Be sure that your answer refers to, and explains, the relevant cases.)

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The Answer of During recent decades in several cases involving symbolic speech and protest, the United States Supreme Court has declared (a) that one does not have a right under the First Amendment to burn one's draft card; (b) that one does have a right under the First Amendment publicly to burn (or otherwise deface) an American flag; and (c) that one sometimes (but sometimes not) has a right under the First Amendment to engage in KKK-style cross-burning. In these cases, has the Court been confused in terms of applying the First Amendment, or is there a theoretical (doctrinal) consistency lurking within these contrary outcomes? Explain. (Be sure that your answer refers to, and explains, the relevant cases.)

During Recent Decades in Several Cases Involving Symbolic Speech and Protest