Flag Day

I read an interested on-ed piece yesterday concerning how Congress looking to (probably successfully this time) pass a resolution making it a crime to diss the flag (actually it's a constitutional amendment, so it would still have to get past the states).  The gist of the article was that the flag is treated more like a religious symbol than it is a national banner.

"The evidence that we literally worship the flag is overwhelming. Unique among all nations, we have a Flag Day, a Flag code etiquette, a national anthem dedicated to the flag and a verbal salute to the flag. Twenty-seven states require school children to salute the flag daily."

As with most op-ed pieces, it's 90% bullshiat, but it's got enough underlying tidbits of truth to make one step back and say, "Hm."

I've always found that whole "daily mantra to the flag" routine to be a bit creepy - then again, when I was a wee lad we used to have to sing God Save The Queen and recite the Lord's Prayer every morning, so I guess it's all just a matter of perspective.

busy busy busy

I'm one of those guys who always waits until the last minute to study for an exam.

This time around it's a case of finishing off my profile in time for my mid-year review in - gah!  In under a minute.  I guess I'll have to call the boss and ask for a short extension.  I'm sure he'll be cool with that.

[Pause while I call.]

Yup, he's fine with that.  Phew.

On an amusing note, I don't know if I mentioned it here before but our building installed one of those screaming urinals downstairs.  Anyone who was at MFM '99 will know what I'm talking about.  =)