another interesting lesson to come out of this terrorist mess - Flag Etiquette. it sucks that it's taken something like this to bring up the topic, but at least now it's being discussed. and it appears that things have changed over the years - as a kid i remember hearing it was completely unacceptable to fly the flag at night. apparently, this has changed. "When a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." same goes for flying the flag in the rain - with the advent of flags made of nylon and such, it's not such the taboo. "The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed."

here's one i hadn't heard: "The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender." So, where does that leave all these people out there with the little flags hanging off the side of their cars?

and the best of all? "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard." uh oh. at work last week it seemed as though every freakin client we had wanted a flag background in their ad. and we all know Wheels & Deals and The Trader are definitely for temporary use and discard!