Item — HN Reader

Mexico doesn't have freedom of speech. According to the constitution, speech can be restricted if it offends good morals, incites crime, disturbs the public order, or disrespects private lives, morals, and the public peace. In the 1930s, laws were added that restricted speech that insulted national symbols, particularly the flag and the national anthem.

(Articulos 6 y 7)

http://es.wikisource.org/wiki/Constituci%C3%B3n_Pol%C3%ADtic...

In 2008, a poet was found guilty by the Supreme Court and given a token fine for a poem.

http://banderasnews.com/0805/edat-poetfined.htm

1 comments

This is obviously an attempt to test the constitution. In Mexico the flag is almost considered sacred. This is pretty much the same as burning flags in the U.S. and you have to decide which value is bigger. Freedom of speech of the the flag.

The major difference between disrespecting the flag in Mexico and burning the flag in the US is that burning the flag in the US is legal.

Why exactly is it obvious?

Why, when people are accused of being overly sensitive an icon like the flag or the image of the king, etc, does someone come along and say "The ___ is almost sacred to the ___ people."?

Why do sacred cows get such respect?