Missed a Turn

 The other week I missed a turn and had to make two lefts to get back on the right track.  Speaking of right tracks, in front of a house on one of those back streets there was a massed display of flags, one a standard national one and the rest what you may call "message flags."  You've seen them proliferate, some employing historical tropes from the 18th and 19th centuries, but more often some questionable alterations of Old Glory.

The usual red and white stripes are changed to black, red or blue where a white one should be, indicating "support"of police, firefighters, emergency responders, etc.  Nothing wrong with supporting those who risk their safety and lives for their fellows -- all of ours locally are as professional, efficient and dedicated as you could want.  But behind that seemingly positive message other things lurk, and those are really the intended message.  They are tribal colors, marking a line between their groups and others; a throwback to primitivism: a rejection of peaceful processes, community-wide unity, and as we have seen, civilized norms.  During much of human history, a stranger unknown to you was fair game for violence to quickly eliminate any possible or perceived danger to your people. Folks don't need to be so riled up that we return to those times.

Uses and misuses of the flag are spelled out in Title 4 of the U.S. Code.

Section 8g reads, "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, picture or drawing of any nature."  So a picture of a Presidential candidate (grinning, scowling, or dressed as Rambo) on the U.S. flag is a violation of the law.  I guess the Department of Justice missed that.

The use of the flag design on hats and other apparel is discouraged (not to mention tasteless) but is not forbidden.  However, the practice at the Olympics and other events of wearing the actual flag as a cape or cowl is expressly illegal, under Section 8d.  The Olympic committee and universities should know that, don't you think? 

I hope I'm not misunderstood about the above, but there's a possibility of my first troll comment appearing. Maybe I should stick with the usual obscurities you find here...