Nationhood and national unity is a compelling and valid state interest. we feel very certain that congress has the power to both adopt a national symbol and to take steps to prevent the destruction of that symbol, to protect the symbol . . we believe that if a symbol is . . abused that it can in fact, lose its symbolic effect. according to texas's attorney, why should the flag be protected? to uphold it as a symbol of unity to prevent other symbols from being adopted to allow it to lose its symbolic effect to preserve it as a symbol of nationhood to protect its effect as a symbol