Open up any weekly advertisement and you'll see that the American flag has become fashionable — at least for the next week. The July Fourth holiday is not just a time for fireworks and hot dogs. It's on this day that we are supposed to remember everything our nation stands for and be proud to be a part of it.

But one main component seen every direction you turn during this celebration — the American flag — has been the object of a debate in the Senate lately.

The Senate heard debate on a proposed constitutional amendment banning all flag desecration — including burning — and barely rejected the bill with a 66-34 vote, one vote less than the two-thirds required.

The red, white and blue flag, adorned with 13 horizontal stripes that represent the 13 original colonies, and 50 small, five-pointed stars, which represent the 50 states, is something that every American has seen, but represents something different to each citizen. Which is why some people see burning the flag as a horrible, disrespectful and punishable crime, and some see it as an act of utilizing one's First Amendment right.

The First Amendment, which grants freedom of speech, among other things, exists for a reason. Having the freedom to say what we want and express how we feel means that we also must accept speech that we don't agree with and might be offensive by.

The attempt to take away our right to express ourselves in an effort to protect and uphold the esteem of the national flag would also mean a step backward for our civil liberties.

Offensiveness is subjective. While the nation's flag may be viewed with more importance and be more highly respected by certain fractions of society, it may not be so to other populations of the nation.

Civil liberties, including freedom of speech, however, are objective. No matter who we are, or what we believe, we are told that we are able to exercise this right as long as we don't endanger those around us.

It's scary that the vote was so close because it means advocates are getting closer to protecting the flag while deteriorating our freedoms. If flag burning and other forms of desecration were to be banned, what other civil liberties are offensive enough to potentially be revoked as well?

In upholding the freedoms Americans deserve, we have to accept that sometimes we might be offended by others' actions — but in the end, that is a very small price to pay.