Student Congress is set to discuss a resolution written in response to the Oct. 6 flag-burning incident in the Pit. But it's unnecessary for Congress to go into lengthy debate about the incident.
It would be a complete waste of time.
None of the state's laws need Congress' seal of approval. The legal system is doing pretty well on its own. Without any input from Student Congress, the law's denunciation of the burning of other people's personal property is clear enough.
Criminal law holds that anyone who sets fire to another person's property shall be charged as a class H felon. The presumptive penalty for such a crime is also outlined in the N.C. General Statutes.
If there was any question about whether protester Kevin Sellers' burning of someone else's American flag was wrong, it was answered when he was arrested and charged with a crime.
Denouncing the incident is all well and good - but Congress members should do it on their personal time. When they are together in session, there are more important things for them to discuss.
Sweeping symbolic gestures have their place. But the student body has little use for them, especially when there are more pertinent concerns about gray areas in the Student Code, funding priorities, election rules and questions of conduct to address.
Congress is made up of some of the most dedicated students on this campus. It's a shame that they're going to divert their attention to a possible condemnation that would be so irrelevant, especially considering the other issues they could be tackling.
Once they get their discussion out of the way and decide the flag-burning issue with a vote, what exactly will they have accomplished? Not much.
