Interestin that, though the argument about the flag is expressed interms of respecting people's right to fly it, when it comes down to it, they actually want to copmpel peolple to fly it.

As is demonstrated in this extract from the Southern Comfort (or whatever) manifesto that kat included at the head of the thread: "Many school boards are evading the state law requiring that the flag be flown at all school buildings, with the aid of a patently misleading ruling by the state attorney general.

"All those who are proud of our Southern heritage and cherish the fundamental right of freedom of speech are urged to become active in support of these traditional values and confront officials at all levels who timidly submit to these arrogant, uninformed and malicious attacks. We must hold all who aspire to leadership in government or other areas of public concern accountable for their failure to stand up for our values."Hmm -"fundamental right of freedom of speech."

Mind, I take their point about the Stars and Stripes being in its way just as offensive as the Stars and Bars ("Historically, the Confederate flag is no more deserving of resentment by African-Americans than the United States flag under which slave ships brought many of their ancestors to these shores in chains.) But I suppose it'll have to wait till two-thirds of Americans see it that way before you replace it with something better.

The Canadian Maple Leaf Flag is an improvement on what went before - but it looks too much like the logo of some Canadian Cola. I came across a suggested Australian Flag. that I think looks pretty good.