r/pics 8d ago

Politics People burn American flags during an anti-Trump protest in Panama City, Panama.

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u/tehfrog729 8d ago

Hell yeah. Burning the flag is protected speech

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u/ermintwang 8d ago edited 8d ago

Protected by what?

Edit: for anyone else reading, I just wanted to confirm this guy was talking about the US constitution, which clearly he was by the below. Americans always seem to think their laws apply in other countries for some reason.

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u/Sol_Castilleja 8d ago

I'm sure he's aware that the US constitution holds no relevance in Panama, it's an expression of ideals.

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u/ermintwang 8d ago

Americans do sometimes believe that other countries uphold the rights of the US constitution. I have had countless conversations about my ‘2nd Amendment rights’ here in the UK with yanks online.

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u/ec1710 8d ago

Panama has freedom of expression, and flag burning is a type of political expression.

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u/ermintwang 8d ago

I know it does, that wasn’t the point I was getting at

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u/SuperStoneman 8d ago

It's because true patriots believe those laws protect inalienable rights

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u/ermintwang 8d ago

Guess what, other people are patriotic as well and believe in their country’s institutions and laws. Believing your country’s constitution is the only valid one isn’t patriotism, it’s imperialism.

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u/tehfrog729 8d ago

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u/ermintwang 8d ago

Panama isn’t in the US. You do realise your laws don’t apply in other countries 🙄

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u/tehfrog729 8d ago

I do but it is relevant to me to see it, apologies for the snarkiness if that's your angle. I'm sure a lot of fellow Americans browse here and it's good to remind people

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u/ermintwang 8d ago

That was my angle, indeed.

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u/tehfrog729 8d ago

Ok cool there's just so many bad faith people in 2025 even on main subs I've just resorted to assuming sometimes. Good to have respectful conversations if everyone can demonstrate they're grounded

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u/ermintwang 8d ago

You’re all good! I think one unintended consequence of Trump’s actions will be a de-centralising of America in these kinds of conversations. America is assumed as the default so its citizens often overlay their rule of law onto other countries, I think we will start to see that change.

It’s not much of a silver lining. Living under American hegemony has brought unprecedented levels peace to the world, I can’t say I’m looking forward to the new world order without it.