Deep-Fried US Flags Removed From Museum

The US flag has been having a rough go of it lately. Today's news is that an art gallery in Tennesee removed an exhibition in which deep-fried flags were prominently featured (the story is below).

But last June, the US Senate failed to move along a constitutional amendment that would have prevented desecration of "Old Glory." The measure failed by a single vote in a cliffhanger
that neither side could predict.

This is from the website of Republican Senator Mel Martinez (Florida):

"A bigger Republican majority and patriotic feelings after the 2001 terrorist attacks led many senators to consider the evening vote the best chance in 15 years to achieve a required two-thirds majority. Senate approval would have marked the first time in almost three
decades that Congress had agreed to amend the Constitution. The
proposed amendment would not have forbidden flag desecration, but
rather would have expressly given Congress the authority to outlaw it.

"€œOld Glory lost today,” Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said.
“Protecting the symbol of our nation’s freedom is important, and I hope
the amendment’s support in the Senate will continue to grow." 

"The Senate's 66-34 vote was just shy of the 67 votes needed for
passage. President Bush issued a statement expressing disappointment at
the outcome.
Florida's senators, Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson, voted for the amendment."