New Zealand Might Change Its Flag

The prime minister of New Zealand today suggested holding a public referendum on changing the national flag.  Proponents argue that the current flag suggests that New Zealand remains a colony of the United Kingdom. Others point out that the flag is often confused with the national flag of Australia, which is almost the same except it carries two more stars.

Labour Party deputy leader David Parker said it was not an important issue, but he supported a change to a red, white and blue design by an unnamed Dunedin designer which incorporated Maori and colonial influences. United Future leader Peter Dunne said the present flag "smacks of British imperialism" and recommended the Union Jack be removed. Mana Party leader Hone Harawira, who negotiated with the Government to get a Maori flag flown from the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day, said it was "time for for us to grow up and move on". He flew the Tino Rangitiratanga flag on his car but said any flag would be an improvement on the Union Jack and Southern Cross. The present flag dates from 1865, when the British Government asked vessels in its colonies to fly flags with the Blue Ensign. In 1869, Governor Sir George Bowen directed that the Southern Cross be added, as the constellation could be seen only in the Southern Hemisphere. The present design was adopted as the national flag in 1902.

I always get the Cuban and Puerto Rican flags confused.

The Flag Of Equal Marriage

Source.

POLL: Americans Approve Of Confederate Flag Over Rainbow Flag By 4-1 Margin

Public Policy Polling asked the above questions in a just-released survey that primarily focused on prospective presidential candidates for the 2016 elections. As you can see by the final result, respondents approved of students wearing the confederate flag over the rainbow flag by more than a 4-1 margin. The Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart (who is gay and black) goes off:

Folks, the Confederate flag is no better than a Swastika. It is a symbol of white supremacy, hate and oppression that has no place in American political discourse. That Kanye West wants to co-opt the rebel banner is as noble as it is futile. Meanwhile, the rainbow that is the gay pride flag symbolizes inclusion and acceptance. Oftentimes, usually in other countries, the words “pace” or “peace” can be found emblazoned on it. The rainbow flag is the very antithesis of the Confederate flag. That the latter is deemed more acceptable than the former is deplorable.

Defenders of the confederate flag are pouring into the WaPo comments. (Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

ARIZONA: Teabagger Flag Granted Same Legal Protections As U.S. Flag

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill granting the Tea Party flag the same legal protection as the American flag. Properly known as the Gadsden flag, homeowners associations are now barred by state law from banning its display.

Current law overrides any rules when it comes to the U.S. flag, the flags of any branch of the military, the state flag, the POW-MIA flag and the flag of any Indian nation. The new law will add the Gadsden flag to that protected list, that yellow flag with the drawing of a coiled rattlesnake and the phrase “Don’t Tread on Me.”

RELATED: My pal Dr. Jeff and I recently spotted the Tea Party flag flying from the upper windows of an Upper East Side megamillion dollar townhouse. Fight the power!

Marriage Equality Flag Update

You may recall back in December when JMG reader Mark tipped us to his concept for a marriage equality flag, one in which stars are added as states legalize same-sex marriage. Eight months ago, Mark explained:

The flag is based in the custom of 19th century suffragettes. At their annual convention they would add a star to the flag for each state that had adopted a women's right to vote. Although there is no official order - the stars are generally read right to left in the order they were admitted to the Union. Represented are - Massachusetts and Connecticut.

And now, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Iowa.(Update via Box Turtle Bulletin)