old glory
 

He's not my father, so I won't answer the particular question. However, as a resident of a part of the country not traditionally associated with unbridled patriotism, I can say that there is often some suspicion (NB: not offense) around one's motives in displaying an American flag anywhere other than a flagpole. In other words, in a world in which the flag is used by some to symbolize one set of American values that contradict another set of equally American values, I think it's legitimate to ask whether the flag is being used in the "big tent" sense or otherwise.

Symbols are like that --- while the one evoking the symbol insists it has only one meaning, it ain't necessarily so. I might carry a crucifix (good symbol) into Auchwitz to symbolize redemption, sorrow and suffering, but I have no control over how it might be taken. Ty's dad, among many others including myself, might be perfectly comfortable flying a flag on 7/4 or 9/11 or on flag day, but would wonder whether a smaller point was being made.

A & F
 

old glory
 

My father actually flies an American flag from his house, so his objection to the flag on the website is highly contextual. There are no furners in our family that I can think of (if there were, that would have been a good pretext to use to defuse this). He seems to feel that the specific use here is a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, although I'm not exactly clear why. I have to say that I agree with tmdiva that it seems a little odd to me to design the site this way, but I also have a hard time believing that said cousin is being truculent. He seems amiable enough to me.

The other, non-lethal way natural selection is enforced.
 

Man injures himself with firecracker, rendering himself impotent. Thrasher Disclosure: involves man sticking firecracker up (his own) butt.

There should be a subcategory of the Darwin Awards for people who survive but are rendered unable to breed.

old glory
 

Maybe you don't see this in your area, but in vast swaths of the red (or is it green or blue - I never remember which is which) states, you see flags on every other house, you see them on lots of cars, you see them over businesses, you see them in e-mail sigs, and, yes, you see them on websites. I wouldn't overestimate the importance placed on the decision to put it on the web page - it's becoming rote, and sometimes people are just looking for stuff to fill space and add color to the page. Be thankful it isn't flowers or kittens.

old glory
 

Are these actual waving flags, or are they stickers or posters or decals?

B/c I was driving through Indiana and saw a garage door painted as the flag. That is NEVER appropriate. And I hate decals and bumper stickers on cars*, so these flags have to go too.

*exception: no matter how many times I see it, I still laugh - the "My son kicked the shit out of your honor student" bumper sticker. Good times.

old glory
 

Bilmore's probably right--it was probably one of the set design options for the cheapie websites, and it probably just appealed to him a little more than the other options. Maybe he just needs some html tutoring? Or you could send him a ready-made family graphic that really has something to do with your family.

tm

PS Timmy props on the use of "furners."

old glory
 

Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore.

(Shit. Now I'm going to be humming John Prine all afternoon.)

The other, non-lethal way natural selection is enforced.
 

And yet are still bangable.

The other, non-lethal way natural selection is enforced.
 

Not without industrial-strength birth control, they aren't.

Though how anyone could bear to have sex with anyone that stupid even without the fear of breeding 'em into future generations is beyond me.

The other, non-lethal way natural selection is enforced.
 

Pssst.

Pun.

"Bang"able.

Interesting comment on benefits article
 

I am more interesting than other people just because. Misuse of apostrophes is rampant around here, it drive's me banana's and I was amused to see (a) that Business Week used "it's" for "its" and that someone mocke'd them. That may not have been clear from the context.

However, if you want beer and sports you should go to Thrasher's house.

The other, non-lethal way natural selection is enforced.
 

This just reminded me of the full-body condoms in The Naked Gun.

"Jane, since I've met you I've noticed things that I never knew were there before; birds singing, dew glistening on a newly formed leaf, stoplights."

Vegans, Leather and FLO$ Spoiler
 

Some comments:

1. You sound just a wee bit defensive. Who cares if TM thinks you're interesting? That you apparently care so much is not a good sign.

2. If you are going to provide lots of details to show that you've had a well varied diet, you really owe it to us to provide the same level of detail to show that you've had plent of sexual experimentation. At least the same level.

3. Ignoring naked bodies on principle is just weird. And wrong. And generally bad. And probably un-American, unless you ask John Ashcroft.

Craving poll
 

True indeed. By month 7 I felt like Mrs. Finch's sex toy.


In a good way.