Am I seeing things clearly? Do I see an upside down American flag as an icon for 'Katrina Aftermath'?

Please tell me my eyes are playing tricks on me. I'm sure this site has more respect than that.

upside down flags symbolise a nation is crisis. Like after a devastating hurricane.

Flying the flag upside down is a distress signal. No offence meant.

Half mast i can understand

But upside down??? whats up ats?

Originally posted by darkelf
Flying the flag upside down is a distress signal. No offence meant.

That's interesting. What does a backwards signal flag indicate?
I wonder if it is relevant to our troops in Iraq wearing theirs backwards?

I guess we normally do not hang flags upside down for distress (in the U.S.). We typically hang them at half-mast. I'm certain this will raise quite a few American brows, for sure.

Originally posted by SourGrapes
I guess we normally do not hang flags upside down for distress (in the U.S.). We typically hang them at half-mast. I'm certain this will raise quite a few American brows, for sure.

No thats for mourning.

Originally posted by twitchy
That's interesting. What does a backwards signal flag indicate?
I wonder if it is relevant to our troops in Iraq wearing theirs backwards?

The patches worn backwards are so the flag is always flying in the wind.

Half-mast was traditionally reserved for presidents or other high-ranking officials. It has been watered down quite a bit over the last 30 years or so. But it is more a symbol of mourning.

Upside-down is a symbol of extreme distress. Not used much anymore, admittedly, but traditionally so. I see it as a call for immediate action to save the thousands who will die if not evacuated.

The time for a half-mast flag will be once all the dead are accounted for.

No, really... I highly doubt it has to do with a patch flying in the wind. Even if that is the case, what does the Conspiracy Community say is the reason behind this practice?

Not only is it up side down, it is half mast too if you notice.

Personally, I feel it should have been that way since Bush Jr. took office, go ahead and see my earlier posts.

There is nothing wrong with the flag being displayed that way other than it coming down to such being required. It is a signal more people should be less ignorant of. Nothing disrespectful, sad yes.

I believe it all started with ships at sea. If you see an upside down flag, you know something is wrong.

The reason the flag is 'backwards' on uniform is so that the flag isn't in retreat, but always going forward. As if you are holding is on a staff.

The term backwards flag is really meaningless. Flags are two sided and can only have a backward if they are flying INTO the wind, which is nonsensical.

I find it alarming how so many people are willing to get all bent out of shape due soley to their own ignorance.

FYI, the whole hanging of the flag upside down was purely a form of demonstration ment to show that the nation was in crisis. This was adopted from older millitary traditions. A unit flying their flag upside down ment they had taken casualties and needed re-enforcements.

Originally posted by SourGrapes
I guess we normally do not hang flags upside down for distress (in the U.S.). We typically hang them at half-mast. I'm certain this will raise quite a few American brows, for sure.

It is indeed a dire distress signal. The mayor of New Orleans flew the flag upside down yesterday. The forum icon (at least for now) is a nod in his direction.

I think curme has it right. At least that's the way I was told by an old=timer.

If it isn't an issue, I feel it should remain the forum icon.
Nothing gets the piont across better, than what gets peoples attention.