7 All patients had negative serum tests for infectious, metabolic, autoimmune, or hereditary liver disease; no history of alcohol or hepatotoxic drug use; and no signs of chronic liver disease.
In 1968, Congress approved the Federal Flag Desecration Law after a Vietnam War protest. The law made it illegal to âknowinglyâ cast âcontemptâ upon âany flag of the United States by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it.â.
He was arrested and charged with violating a Texas statute that prevented the desecration of a venerated object, including the American flag, if such action were likely to incite anger in others. A Texas court tried and convicted Johnson. He appealed, arguing that his actions were symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court agreed to hear his case. Issue Whether flag burning constitutes symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. Ruling Yes. Reasoning (5-4) The majority of the Court, according to Justice William Brennan, agreed with Johnson and held that flag burning constitutes a form of symbolic speech that is protected by the First Amendment. The majority noted that freedom of speech protects actions that society may find very offensive, but society's outrage alone is not justification for suppressing free speech.