Question

At the core of what the flag symbolizes, then, is tolerance. More than anything else, the flag stands for the free expression of ideas, no matter how distasteful. The ultimate irony would have been to punish views expressed by burning the flag that stands for the right to those expressions. Paraphrase what point Allen is trying to make by saying it would have been the ultimate irony.

A. Punishing views goes against the values of the flag.
B. Burning the flag symbolizes tolerance.
C. The flag represents the right to express ideas.
D. Expressing views through flag burning is ironic.

Answer 1

Allen's point is that punishing someone for flag burning contradicts the flag's representation of free expression; thus, punishing views goes against the flag's values.

Step-by-step explanation:

Allen is making the point that the action of punishing someone for burning the United States flag would be inconsistent with the very values that the flag represents. Specifically, it would be ironic because the flag symbolizes the freedom to express ideas, including those that are unpopular or contentious. As such, penalizing individuals for expressing their views by burning the flag would contradict this principle of free expression of ideas. The correct paraphrase of Allen's point is that punishing views goes against the values of the flag (Option A). This reflects the Supreme Court's stance that the government cannot prohibit the expression of an idea simply because it is offensive or disagreeable, thereby affirming that flag burning is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.