The 50 Star Flag Turns 50

Image from source, AOL News

As a graphic artist by trade, this story hits my sweet spot. And if Puerto Rico ever gets granted the 51-st state designation, adding the 50th star is easy: it fits in the middle.

[Excerpt]

50-Star Flag Designed by Ohio Teen Turns 50

This Fourth of July marks the 50th anniversary of something special: the birth of the 50-star flag.



While it might not seem like much of an accomplishment, there's a patriotic story behind the design of the flag. In 1958, a 17-year-old Ohio teenager, Robert Heft, had a high school assignment to create something of his own imagination and concept. . .

Read more at: AOL News

The Right-wing Response to Franken Victory

One of the biggest frustrations about being a current events/political blogger is finding other bloggers who encapsulate your own ideas better than you do. On the other hand, given the nature of blogging, and the general give-and-take sharing allowed in the forum, I can present to you those "better" writings anyway! So it's sort of a win-win.

I have long likened extreme partisans to sports fans, though I'm not sure if I've ever done a post about it. I remember a lady who used to work with me who was a dyed-in-the-wool Republican. After the 2004 election, I remember her cackling at me after George W. Bush won his second term. She knew I was pulling for John Kerry, and found it very amusing that "her team" won. I--needless to say--was not amused. But it was more for her likening it to a game than the politics. I thought that the Bush Administration was a dangerous threat to America (still do!). She saw it as not much more than a "win" for her side.

The excerpted blog post below does an excellent job using the same analogy as it applies to the Al Franken/Norm Coleman battle for the Senate. And it--admittedly--does it better than I could. Enjoy.

[Excerpt]

Dear Freeptards

Al Franken won. Welcome to Democracy.

When Norm Coleman said that Al Franken should concede the race 'for the sake of the people of Minnesota', you were all behind him. Then, when Coleman refused to concede 'for the sake of Minnesota', you embraced the hypocrisy and stayed right behind him.

Why are you all such hypocrites?

I'll tell you; Because you are not politically inclined, you are, for all intents and purposes; sports fans. . .

Read more at: Democratic Underground

American Cars I'd Totally Buy

Dodge Challenger. Ford Mustang. Chevy Camero. Jeep Wrangler. All American icons, all cars I'd own in a heartbeat. Who says I'm an America hating libtard? Because I'm all about buying American. Seriously.

State of the Union: Worst Since Watergate?

Photo from source, Guardian UK

When things are not going so well in America, it is a sticky issue to say so. The Limbaughs and Hannitys of the world tend to call any criticism of America, its President, or its foreign policy as completely out of bounds. You must hold up your We're Number 1! foam finger at all times if you are a true patriot! You will stand up, sing the national pledge of allegiance anthem, hand over heart, other hand saluting, flag pin not optional. Anything less, and you are an "America Hater."

So sometimes it is illustrative to see what the foreign press--who are not cowed by such sentiments--has to say about us.

[Excerpt]

US has not felt this bad since Watergate

Collapsing house prices across the United States have made Americans more pessimistic about the year to come than at any time since the height of the Watergate scandal and the first postwar oil price shock in the early 1970s, it was revealed yesterday.

Adding to fears that the world's biggest economy is falling deeper into recession, two reports showed an acceleration in the decline in house prices and an unexpectedly sharp fall in consumer confidence. . .

Read more at: Guardian UK