The Muppet Family Christmas - Gonfalon

 

The rarest of flags these days is the Gonfalon.  One just happens to appear in the Muppet Family Christmas television special, from 1987.  The top part is sky blue and there is a wavy pattern underneath. 

Gonfalon's are large flags.  The neat thing about these types of flag is that they are presented properly and don't sag.  The face is of the flag is set up on a cross bar so that the image can be properly admired.  

It was during the special the Sesame Street, the Muppets, and Fraggle Rock all collided into each other.  It was made during Jim Henson's peak and the writing and jokes are not just for children, as they hit for adults as well.  

This is another long, lost American Christmas classic, that hits a home run and should be at the top of every Christmas list replay to get the holly jolly sprit a flowing. 

Unit 3092 Flag - Full Metal Jacket

 

They are the few, the proud, the US Marines.  The colours of the military branch is red and yellow.  You can see the livery of the colors within the training platoon 3092.  1987 was year that public got an up close and personal view of how the Marines train.  

Leaning to dance with the angel of death is privilege.  Taking on this responsibility requires a certain amount of training and is a heavy burden on the heart and soul.   Harsh language and being called mean names is the least of one's worry when one is assigned with ending the life of another.   

The flag 3092 is in the background.  Make no mistake you can thank a marine for the freedoms you enjoy.  They are the muscle of America that does the bidding of the people, often at first contact to push the enemy out of the way.

オイラー数の退役した大日本帝国海軍の旗 - Japanese Signal Flag for Euler's Number, Post Modern

The retired Imperial Japanese Navy flag for Euler's Number (pronounced Oiler's Numbers), make a certain and elegant pattern.  

Note the IJN numerical signal flags were retired after WWII or the Great Pacific War. They are rare sort to find, but they do exist.

Only the first 3 digits appear on the flag.

 2.7182818284590452353602874713527

オイラー数 (Oiler's Numbers と発音) の退役した大日本帝国海軍旗は、特定のエレガントなパターンを作成します。

日本海軍の数値信号旗は、第二次世界大戦後または太平洋戦争後に廃止されたことに注意してください。 それらはまれにしか見つかりませんが、存在します。

 

NATO signal flag for Euler's Number

 

The second place runner up of famous number's is Euler's Number, but pronounced more like 'Oiler's Number'.  Thus the flag of 'e' or rather the flag of 'oy' is a superstar in maths. 

Here we take the NATO numerical flags coded to 2, 7, and 1, to give us this sweet flag. 

2.7182818284590452353602874713527

ICS - International Maritime Flag for Euler's Number

 Here is the International Maritime Flag ICS updated version for Euler's Number Flag.  It looks like Pokemon catcher now!  In this case it catches all the magic numbers that expand! 

 Note this is upgraded, evolved Euler's Number flag, since the other one is rather drab.  

2.7182818284590452353602874713527

Notice that 1828 appears twice after 2.7.  So what happened in 1828? 

 

1. The US Democratic Party was organized 

2. Bahía Blanca was founded in Argentina

3. Andrew Jackson was elected president, defeating incumbent John Q. Adams as the first Democrat to run the White House

4. Leo Tolstoy is born

5. Andrew Taylor Still founds Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri

6. Jules Verne is Born!  [{(TOP FUN FACT)}]

 

 

The Cartman 6' Foot Covid-19 Flag Marker from South Park

 

2020 was a year for the history books of social governance.  It was during the South Park Covid Special that that unique vexilloid made an appearance.  Cartman created a safety flag waving device that people were supposed to maintain.  It was a red flag with the number six upon it with an apostrophe that represented feet, which converts to 1.828 meters, which is rounded up to two meters, which is about two door knob lengths away.  

You can see the Covid Safety Vexilloid resting in the door way next to Cartman's mom.  Cartman is eating his signature Cheey Poofs, but as a not so nutritious breakfast cereal. 

Luhansk and Dontsk Peoples Republic - 8 Years Not in Tibet of Lost Republics

 

Since the 2014 Ukranian War two break away regions have formed in Eastern Europe.  They are the Luhansk Peoples Republic and the Donetsk Peoples Republic.  This region of Ukraine was the mostly Russian speaking region of Ukraine that wanted to maintain an Eastern outlook.  Their flags are fraternal flag partners who existed in limbo for nearly 8 years without any recognition.  

The flags are similar to the flag of Russia, except for the top bar which is light blue for Lugansk and black for Donetsk.  

As when Louisiana Territory was sold the USA when Napoleon occupied Spain, the occupation of the Russian military under Putin is currently pushing for their annexation into Russia.   

Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are also soon to be incorporated into Mother Russia shortly.   But they never existed as breakaway republics.  

Texas had good 10 year run as an independent breakaway republic before it was annexed into the USA, but it looks like the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics will not break the Texan ten-year standard.  These republics lasted from 2014 to 2022, in limbo, and their time in limbo will soon be over. 

But the Transnistria Republic snuggled in between Moldova and Ukraine is holding the record for Eastern Europe with 32 years as a mostly unrecognized republic since 1990.  

Doylestown Borough Pennsylvania Flag in Action

 

Here is the Doylestown Borough Flag in all its glory and action, at the recently created park in front of the new Borough Hall. Notice the date incorporation is on the flag as 1838, which went on line during the presidency of Martin Van Buren.  

 Link to some of the famous and splendid buildings of Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania. 

https://betavcr.blogspot.com/2022/08/doylestown-borough-map-from-2009.html

 

 

Flag of Nexdoria, Coming 2 America 2021

 

The flag of Nexdoria uses the Pan-African colors red, yellow, and green.  There is yellow chevron that separates an upper red field and lower green field.  A yellow star is near the top of the green triangle. 

Izzi of Nexdoria with flag patch of Nexdoria and an out of focus soldier of Nexdoria with circular patch.
 

Flag of Zamunda, Coming 2 America 2021

 

The flag of Zamunda is horizontal bicolour, black on top, green below.  The icon in the center is the outline a lion either holding a weapon or some sort of flower, or maybe its the sun.  

Attention to detail for this sequel was paramount.  When Eddie returns to America for the 2nd time, his limousine is decked out with gold fringed car flags.  

 

 

 

 

The coat of arms for Zamunda are slightly different compared to the flag.  The shield is divided vertically instead and the colors are blue and green instead of black and green.  

Flags in Strawberry Mansion 2021

Strawberry Mansion is the new cult sleeper classic for the 20s.  There are movies made every so often that are artful and fun.  This movies taps that market for the mind expanding movies made on basic budget that is swarmed with tender love in care.  Something magical with a solid artistic heart the Coraline 2009, yet surreal like Altered States 1980. 

Of flags in the movie, during the ordering scene during the Cap'n Kelly Chicken board, chickens along the bottom can be seen walking towards the right with banners attached to their tail feathers.  One of the banners read "Trust Your Cravings." 

The decal on the hat of the disembodied customer service Cap'n Kelly Chicken has with a uniquely drawn anchor, which effectively represents their brand. 

Strawberry Mansion is a movie of the Naked Lunch variety, but its set design and art direction are hypnotically stunning, worthy of an academy award.  It is truly a work of art, that tells a fun story with a message, without the giving one a beating on the head, unlike the mainstream political jackhammer of tinsel town.

Tired of the Hollywood schlock?  Give this movie a try, it's a dreamy trip made with heart on dime. 

Soylent Green - Police Badge

 

Soylent Green was movie from 1973 that predicted the state of the world in 2022.  It got a few things right, like people wearing masks.  But in this movie the environmental disaster was resulted in the 2022, which makes food very scarce.  Consequently a quirky twist has resulted.  

The police in Soylent Green wear silver colored helmets and the special star badge on the center of the helmet.  The back triangle is black and pointing upwards, while the front triangle is yellow and is pointing downwards. 

 

 

 

 Upon the yellow badge it is written CITY of NEW YORK POLICE DEPT.

 

Soylent Green People Mass Recycling Truck

 

A unique vexillological item in Soylent Green, set in a dystopian year of 2022, appears on the waste management vehicle.  As it was a rather low budget sci-fi movie, they just printed a design a slapped over the would have been official logo of the trash truck.  

One flag appears in the opening montage.  It looks like a pennant, that is impossible to discern.  It is jack of some sort; a jack is special type of flag flown at the front or bow of a ship.

The movies predicted the band Green Day would still be popular in the year 2022.  Just Amazing! Green Day needs to make a song called "Soylent Tuesday!"

It is so trippy look at a book from 1973 that shows the past from 2015 to 2019.  Back in 1973, 2022 seemed light years away.  From now, of the year 2022, that is like the year 2071!  Believe it or not much will have changed.  As Louis Zorich said in his seminal role of Chef Pete in Pete's Diner from The Muppets Take Manhattan, "Peoples are Peoples."

Somebody in 1973 must have been tripping on future somethings, because they hit the target that in 2022, people would wear masks.  But we don't all wear the same kind of drab clothes.  

 

The cool retro games of 1973! Apparently the rich man who had this in his apartment was video game collector, who could afford such a retro game in perfect condition. 

Gary Larson Cat and Dog Battle Flags

 

Gary Larson had a short-lived animated show.  Larson is famous for the juxtaposition of ideas to make people laugh at the way things are.  In this case the army of cats and dogs fought each other.  Note that the cats have a flag somewhat similar to the Union, while the dogs have Confederate kind of flag, but instead of stars on bars, it is crossed bones. 

The finial of the cat flag is paw with nails extended, while the finial of the dog flag is tail.  

Califa Republic: California Flag with Queen Califa

 

Queen Califa was the first legendary namesake who gave California its name, according to Spanish storytellers. 

Flag of Pottstown, Pennsylvania in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

 

Pottstown, Pennsylvania has flag that looks just a little bit like the flag of Cuba.  The colors are the same but the divide is not a triangle.  The red canton hoist area is red.  the fly striped half has six colors, alternating of blue and white. 

Pottstown is a borough i Montgomery County, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1752, and incorporated on February 6, 1815.

Insulin Flag from Extra History, the educational Youtube comic series, par excellence

 

Flag of Insulin was shown on the "The Discovery of Insulin - The Miracle - Extra History. It looks like a peanut butter jar, on yellow-reen framed in sky blue.

This is an excellent use of Youtube for fun educational materials.

Silesian Flag & Ukranian Flag - Fraternal Flag Partners

 

Europe is divided and united, depending on who you ask.  The flag for the Silesian Autonomy movement is balanced with the flag of Ukraine.  They are inverts of each other.  Right now, there is small yet very vocal minority of Selesians in Poland who want more autonomy, and a few who want to break away to become their own nation.  Selesians speak a dialect that is different for mainstream Polish.  Who knows?  Maybe in 50 years, as old nations of Europe devolve, perhaps Silesia will one day separate from Poland? 

Right now, in Ukraine it is undergoing a violent spasm of separation as induced by more powerful forces from within and across the world.  No doubt in 2072, fifty years from now, the Ukraine of today will look nothing like the Ukraine of 2072 and neither will Poland. 

East Korea Flag & West Korea Flag

 

Let's face it the Koreas are not getting back together, nor will Luke, Han, and Leia ever get the band back together.  Two Koreas are needed for world balance, in fact we could use more Korea Power on his planet.  Why not an East Korea and West Korea!?  

All the Koreans that got stuck in Russia and the rest of Asia are the East Koreans who can fly the East Korea flag, while all the Koreans in the West have dibs on the West Korea flag.  Or maybe we can divide the DMZ into a West Korea with a slight tilt to the South and East Korea with a slight advantage to the North?  

Why stick with the same old rivalry?  Why not try something new! Koreans are the ultimate middlemen who can potentially broker peace between China and the West, as they have strong connections to the East and the West.  Don't overlook or ignore Korea! 

Happy Valentines Day 2022

 

Enjoy the love while you gots it!  The Foo Fighters rock it real in 2021.  Enjoy the old school movie magic!  This song is prefect for Valentine's Day 2022, as the Olympics are garnering much of the world world's attention, at least with nations that have strong winters.

Five RIngs, Five Medals flag - Beijing 2022

 

It is here yet again.  Rinse and repeat, the calls for 4th place medals reappear every two years to deaf ears.  Come on people, ya gotta dig a little deeper than just because it feels bad to be in 4th.  Look here below, and it will all make sense.  If they ever do expand the medals, here are some sound and logical arguments to do so, below.

This year in 2022, year of the Tiger, there are three additional rings.  

Athletes who place below 24th get a Qoppa Ring.  Qoppa is an archaic Greek letter.  Since there are 24 letters in the Greek Alphabet the first 24 finishers get a unique letter.  However everyone who finishers from 25th to last gets a Qoppa Ring. 

The Heta Ring is for participants who do not finish.  It can be for any number reasons.  They get injured at the event.  Something happens personally where to do not finish, whatever the reason.  This is partial credit ring. 

Finally there is the Digamma ring, for Olympians who qualified but did not show up at the Olympics.  It can be for various reasons from very personal, injury, or a a boycott by their home nation.  Thus all the athletes who missed the Moscow 1980 Olympics should have gotten a Digamma Ring.  For this year, 2022, all the athletes from North Korea get a Digamma Ring.

Every participant gets a ring, it's an idea consistent with Olympic Creed. They only get one ring.  The ring of this highest rank or win.  They can still snatch as many medals as they can win, but they will only get one ring per Olympics.

 

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Expansion of medals for 4th & 5th place
2012 London Olympics

Although China got first gold the USA got first Tin, likewise Czech got the fist Copper.


Jamie-Lynn Gray of the USA gets the first unofficial honorary "TIN" medal of the 2012 Olympic Games!

Why two extra medals? Because it matches with the five rings of the Olympic flag - a medal for each continent. Besides those athletes worked so hard and sacrificed so much.

Finally since the Olympic flag has five rings - five medals make a harmonious whole for the five continents.  This idea is in harmony with the official Olympic Creed:

"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE OLYMPICS IS NOT TO WIN BUT TO TAKE PART, JUST AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT THE TRIUMPH BUT THE STRUGGLE.  THE ESSENTIAL THING IS NOT TO HAVE CONQUEORED BUT TO HAVE FOUGHT WELL"  -PIERRE DE COUBERTIN

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Added 8/11/2016

FIVE RINGS = FIVE MEDALS

The original spirit of the new games was to come together in healthy competition and community, not necessarily for a medal count. So here is a suggestion, since there are five rings why not five medals?

Fourth and fifth place certainly deserve something for their fortitude and so close effort! They don't even have to stand on the podium or get their flags raised. But maybe they can stand on the flanking left and right sides? Also if it's a team sport then only one member of the team can stand by the podium. When the Olympics started in 1896 there weren't as many nations participating as their are today. In fact their were only 14 nations, now there are over 200 participating nations.

5 Olympic Rings match with 5 Olympic Medals

So what would the metals be made up of? It really does not matter but it would make sense to have them made up of the constituent elements of bronze. Thus fourth place gets copper while fifth place gets tin.

So that would make 6th place the unlucky duck who just missed out..... but not completely!

Another idea that would take focus away from national obsession for trophies, is to give out awards to the best 24 competitors. Since the Games are based on Greek culture why not give out ring trophies to the top 24 competitors? Just wait till you hear how we would do this!

24 Olympic Achievement Rings based on the Greek Alphabet from Alpha to Omega, for the top 24 places.

First it will promote Greek Culture, and thus the world will become familiar with Greek letters. Second, we all enjoy the games because of the Greeks, it's the right thing to do to honor the Greeks. Finally all those athletes who sacrificed so much certainly deserve something.


Thus 1st place gets the Alpha ring, the 2nd place gets the Beta ring, 3rd gets a Gamma ring, 4th gets a Delta ring, and 5th gets an Epsilon ring in addition to their medals the receive already.

6th place to 24th would not get a medal but only rings of their respective position. 6th gets a ring with Eta on it while 24th position gets a ring with Omega on it. The person or team in 25th does not get a Greek Ring, but only a token participant ring. 

Doing this is in the spirit of the games for community and healthy competition, and in respect to the Greeks who started these games. If this is done, people all over the world will eventually know the Greek Alphabet through osmosis (my favorite Greek word).

If they ever expand the medal reward system, why not also crown 1st place with a wreath of olives too? Apparently in the original Greek Games only the winner received this olive branch token. Medals for 1st let alone 2nd and 3rd were modern contrivances.


Besides, wearing an Olympic medal in public after the games are over is a wee bit ostentatious, no? But the athletes who placed in the top 24 positions can still strut their stuff and inspire others with "Official Place Position Olympic Rings."

The rings of fist five places should match their medal position. Thus 1st place gets a golden ring, 2nd a silver ring, 3rd a bronze ring, 4th a copper ring, and 5th a tin ring. Places 6th and below get a regular ring made out of a less expensive metal than tin or some alloy of it.


These men and women worked hard and sacrificed time, money, and certain aspects of their youth. They deserve something. If any of these ideas are adopted then former Olympic athletes can easily show others a humble memento and inspire.

They can keep the fire of the Olympics shining wherever they go.

 

Did you know that expanding the medal reward system has already happened for the modern Olympics? The first two Olympics at Athens & Paris only gave out official medals for first and second. And they did not give out any gold. Instead first place received a silver medal and second place got a bronze medal. If you placed third – you got nada.

It wasn’t until the first American Olympics in St. Louis that gold medals were handed out. So if you think we shouldn’t add medals for fourth or fifth just because it breaks with tradition – tradition has already been broken. 

Furthermore, when you do the math on the ratio of prizes to participating nations the shift in numbers is staggering. During the first modern Olympics there were 14 participating nations competing for 2 medals (first and second). This leads to a 1 out of 7 chance of randomly winning a medal. Basically, if things were led to chance a nation had a 14% chance of winning a medal.* When they started handing out gold medals for first place at the St. Louis Olympics the ratio actually increased to about 1 to 4, because there were 3 medals to win for 12 participating nations (25% chance). Fast forward to the Rio-2016 Olympics with 206 participating nations – the ratio of winning a medal is about 1 to 69. In terms of a percentages that’s about a 1% chance of winning a medal.
 

Let’s say they expand to five medals for the top five places, the ratio changes to about 1 to 42, raising the chances of winning a medal a measly 2%. So if you are worried that giving fourth and fifth a medal will devalue 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd - is one percent a big fuss? 
 

Now when you calculate the 24 ring-alphabet awards with 2016-Rio Olympic numbers the pure chance ratio of winning ring is about 1 to 8.5 – which is only 12%. Note 12% is a lot closer to the original ratio or percentage of the first modern Olympics at Athens.
 

So why not!? Think of all that hard work and sacrifice those athletes put into their training – the heartache, time, tears, sweat, and blood. Certainly they deserve a better shot at winning a medal or at least snatching a humble token of their dedication and fortitude. The time has come to expand the Olympic medal reward system. 

An expanded idea for the Olympic rings is that all participants get a ring.  If they place 24 or higher they get a Greek letter carved in it, if they place 5th or higher they get a medal.  Athletes who place 25th or below get a ring with logo of the host nations choosing, perhaps the year, place, and logo.  Thus all athletes get a ring, some will get the generic participant ring, some will get a Greek lettered ring, while a few will get a coveted gold, silver, bronze, copper, and tin ring.  

Finally since the Olympic flag has five rings - five medals make a harmonious whole for the five 'official' continents.  Once again, this idea is consistent with the official Olympic Creed:

"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE OLYMPICS IS NOT TO WIN BUT TO TAKE PART, JUST AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT THE TRIUMPH BUT THE STRUGGLE.  THE ESSENTIAL THING IS NOT TO HAVE CONQUEORED BUT TO HAVE FOUGHT WELL"  -PIERRE DE COUBERTIN