U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Flag Burning as Protest

“Angry Congressmen Vow to Protect Flag” is the headline on your article (Part I, June 23) over reactions to the Supreme Court ruling upholding the right of dissenters to desecrate the U.S. flag.

Congress already has authority, under the Constitution, to bar the high court from ruling on this highly controversial case. Article III, Section 2, of the Constitution includes the following language: “The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions as the Congress shall make” (emphasis added).

There it is, in plain language. The Supreme Court is not “supreme” in all cases. Congress can make exceptions for some matters that it considers outside the jurisdiction of the court. In view of the strong nationwide critical reaction to the American flag decision, this would seem the logical time for Congress to assert its authority.

That would be a better way to go instead of resorting to the proposed constitutional amendment route, which entails the time-consuming requirement of approval by three-fourths of the 50 state legislatures. Congress can achieve the same objective by prompt action under the Constitution language cited above.

ROBERT LEE

Newport Beach