Nation IN BRIEF : NATIONWIDE : Poll Finds 68% Back Flag Amendment

More than two-thirds of Americans favor amending the U.S. Constitution to outlaw flag desecration, according to a Gallup Poll conducted for Newsweek magazine. At the same time, the survey reflected a growing understanding of the Supreme Court’s finding that flag-burning is a protected form of free speech. Although 68% said they wanted the amendment, the poll also found 37% in agreement with the court, compared to 28% who backed a similar ruling issued a year ago. In addition, 73% said that a candidate’s position on flag-burning was important to them in an election for governor, Congress or a state legislature.