ALT Left Flag: ←

The background colours for the Alt Left flag are violet and orange.  Orange is coded to 2 and violet is coded to 7.  Together they make the number 27.  One is supposed to read this flag from left to right like the alt key arrow:←.

ALT ←

ALT Right Flag : →

This ALT right flag has a field of orange and blue.  Orange is coded to 2 and blue is coded to 6.  Together they make 26.  When you hit the Alt Key and 26 you get a rightward arrow →.

ALT → 

 

JERK or FUN —Stamp of Approval: boat-ed®

In that semi-official way of things, boat-ed® has created the mark for a choice being for Fun or for being a Jerk.  Both stamps have the overall basic design of circular seal with rings that have five, five pointed stars in the out ring and six stars on the inner disc, with three above and three below the work Fun or Jerk.  The Jerk Stamp is coloured red and the Fun Stamp is Coloured Green.

Logo of boat-ed®

Comedy is like this as well, jokes can be fun or they can be jerky.  But humor is on a spectrum, different segments of society have set the jerk mark at different places.  This has led to the outrage mob in recent times.  Best to listen to you heart before you post, and only go positive.

Perhaps someday there will be rating system for the Internet on user apps where by you can set your jerk standards to your personal preference.  Banning the consumption of steak because to feeding it to a baby could be deadly, is, the worst form of censorship.


https://www.boat-ed.com/

Confederates in Space! — Battle Beyond the Stars 1980

They always talk about the great ones from the 1980s.  However they were a lot of little charmers that were, keenly cooked slices of Cheese Cake.  Battle Beyond the Stars is a 1980s film that oozes with 80s Sci-Fi cheese.

It's too bad it didn't get the sub-listed treatment on HBO or syndication, otherwise this movie would have been A-List Cult film of the B-film multiverse.  This film rode the Entertainment Space Wake created by Star Wars 1977.   It stands apart as a secret cinematic love child of Star Wars and Star Trek.  Parts of the movie feel like Star Trek, while others feel like Star Wars.  But there is an overall campy element that echos back to the original Battle Star Galactica.

The hero's ship is famous for having 'boobs' but the Earth Cowboy's ship, just happens to have a Confederate Naval Jack.  Note, a jack is a flag flown at the front of the ship while the ensign is the flag flown at the back/stern.  The 'Cowboy' is flying the Cultural Confederate flag of the South just above his cockpit-bridge.  The flag has worn battle scars on the upper fly quadrant.

Upon watching this B-movie there is a residual sparkle that shines in between the amateur acting and corny dialog.  That sparkle is the imprint of James Cameroon, who was the special effects designer. Really, you can consider Battle Beyond the Stars Cameroon's 'high school film' project before made his master piece in 1984—Terminator.  

Also, the musical score out classes the creamy fondu-B nature of this movie.  James Horner's score gives this movie a clean uplifting feel, that out shines the director's efforts.

Battle Beyond the Stars is a cheesy treasure and guilty pleasure for space fans, that could definitely get a reboot.  The basic plot, themes and structure are there.  Movies are like roller coasters, and this film has all the right turns and hills.  However they are executed on mini Budget.

Notice Insignia on Sash

Unfortunately Hollywood is trapped in the pattern of rebooting classic masterpieces that can not hold a candle to the original masterpiece.  Instead, Hollywood should be looking for movies like Battle Beyond the Stars and give it the royal treatment.

But no, executives only green light on things they know.   No...You can not reboot the Mona Lisa.  The second iteration may be better in 10,000 ways, but it will always be a cheap imitation, no matter how much you invest into the latter day saint cloning of movie masterpieces.  Battle Beyond the Stars is far from a masterpiece, yet if given the right kind of love, its second form would be an awesome re-classic.  This happened with the Wizard of Oz.  The Wizard of Oz 1939 that we know is not the original, it is a reboot (called a remake back then) that got it right. Maybe Battle Beyond the Stars fits into this category. 

Maybe James Cameroon could be pushed to properly re-polish this charmful little gem for modern audiences?  Maybe even have it done is properly with 1980s schtick in the hand of an elegant artist? 


   

US Flag in Little Monsters 1989

The original blue bedroom monster before incorporation was Maurice, played by Howie Mandel.  Maurice is a monster of the genus that are rife of trickster spirit.  These types of monsters are able to enter from under children's beds and create mischief, getting the child into trouble and hot water.

The wonder star of America's childhood from the 1980s, Fred Savage, plays as a wonder struck youth who must wander and mature, in order to not becoming a monster himself.  Savage gives a totally wonderful performance, that makes ones imagination wonder about the years gone by.

This film is a little influential gem that ends on a bittersweet note, and nodoubt due for a reboot with a grown up Brian Stevenson (Fred Savage) who must return with his kids to Monsterverse® under their beds.

In one scene the American flag flies with magic of monster wind.

Native Pacific-Australian Christian Flag

This flag represents Christian churches lead by persons from Down Under in Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the South Pacific.  It has black field with a white canton with red cross.  It important to listen to preacher who had walked in your ethnic shoes.  Preachers who preach to you outside of your race, will always have short sighted view your path and will never understand the blessings and burdens of your heritage.

Native-Indegenous Chruch Flag

The flag represents Christian Churches with a dominantly Native American church body.  Although spirit is usually independent of race and nationality, the honest truth is that most churches are segregated by ethnic identities.  Likewise, this flag indicates that a congregation from Alaska to Argentina is led by the Elder Inhabitants of the Americas that are not white, black or Asian.

The Asian-Christian Church Flag

The Asian-Christian Church flag has blue field with a white canton and red cross.  Note that Asia is more than just China, Korea, and Japan.  Christian churches can be found all over Asia such as India, Eastern Russia, Arabia, and of course Israel.

The majority of people overlook that Israel is in Asia, thus most of the people of the Bible were Asian, ergo Jesus is Asian: not African nor European. 

Earth Government Flag from Captain Harlock 1978 宇宙海賊キャプテンハーロック

The flag of the fictional Earth Government, that controls all aspects of the public's life with subliminal images through the mass media, was shown in the first episode of Captain Harlock.  Captain Harlock 宇宙海賊キャプテンハーロック was an animated television series broadcast in Japan in the year 1978 (昭和５３年).

The Earth Gov flag has three view of the planet such that all continents are visible, on a field of white.   Around the Earth are orbital rings in the similar fashion to the NASA logo.

 

キリマンジャロの鳥人 - Regal Banners of the Knight's in eipsoide 107: Galaxy Expres 999

キリマンジャロの鳥人 was the Japanese title of Galaxy Express 999's 107th episode that was first aired on February 12, 1981 in Japan.  In English is reads The Kilimanjaro's Bird Men. 

In this episode, themes about the consequences of war, chivalry, and revenge are conveyed. 

After a peace treaty is signed, the two sides gather together for a party to congratulate their chivalry.  In this shot, the banners on streamers are visible.  It is not  explained what the flags represent.  They are mostly likely the 'coats of arms' of the knightly cast of flying warriors, rather than the flags of a particular political entitiy or kingdom.

The two factions have different aircraft markings: the black cross and the red cross. Both factions place their crosses on a field of red. Likewise, the helmets of the pilots, Knightly Birdmen, have either black or white type of Swiss style cross.

卍 Flag, Castle Flags on Cyborg Planet, Episode 105 Galaxy Express 999 若き戦士の伝説

A unique flag appears in the 105th episode, 若き戦士の伝説, of Galaxy Express 999.  At the cyborg castle a pink, green and black flag can be seen.  It has pink field with a lime green frame, in the center is Manji. 

You can see the flags along the central citadel. These types of flags with are known as the swallow-tailed guidon.  

The overall story arc of the this star train trek to Andromeda, is the theme of potential immortality.  The young boy Tetsuro is traveling to a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy inorder to get a cybernetic body, with the potential of living a near immortal life.   However on several visits to planets, ugly issues that arise between cyborgs and organics are debated. One assumption of the future is that cyborgs look down upon organic people as inferior, and often mistreat them, and at times violently, eviscerate them from the general population.

Although this series started in the late 1970s, it is another story that foretold of human arrogance with technology.  Already today, we are an externally-bound cybernetic civilization.  It is nearly impossible to live a full life without electronic devices.   Likewise many humans look down upon others who do not have the most modern I-Phone or other electronic devices. Many tech advanced externally-cybergistic humans, are filled with scorn, rage, and contempt when they see other humans using old and outdated technology.

Also note that the black symbol-cross in the center of the flag is a Manji:卍 .  It is an ancient symbol connected to Japanese Buddhism.  1000 years before 1941, in the year 941 these cross-like icons represented the path towards enlightenment.  Only recently, in the Western Euro-Centric mindset has this beautiful symbol of grace become a socially triggering device.  Perhaps it is best to call these symbols when positioned properly at a perpendicular perspective, Manjis rather that the other inflammatory name?

Also note, in the original Legend of Zelda 1984, the third dungeon was shaped like a Manji, rather than infamous Nuttzo, Arsely, Zooky, and Idiotic symbol of revenge.  Instead one should consider the Manji as a Majestic, Awesome,  Nice, Joyful, Image of Hope.  

North Korean California Republic Flag

The North Korean Republic fun flag is based upon the state flag of California.  It has the Asian Black Bear which usually has a white patch under its neck. 

Air Force JROTC Guidon

Delaware Nature Society Pennant

The Delaware Nature Society is based in the state of Delaware.  The are committed to helping maintain natural habitats, clean water programs, and educating the public on the vast resources.


https://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/

Cursor Vexilloids - from Google Docs

A unique kind of digital vexilloid was created in Google Docs, cursor vexilloids.  Cursor vexilloids indicate who is contributing to a document, when there is a team of people working together to make a document.  They were so designed to just happen to look like flags.  They can be of various colours, and are marked with the given name of the user. The original names demo-promo run of Google Docs uses less than diverse names to exhibit its properties.  No doubt more updated versions, a reboot will illustrate their use with diverse names as below.

Due to 2020 being a cultural inflection point for the Anglo-Saxon Oriented Communities (which speak English and are required to Study Shakespeare), Google will likely reboot the sample-demo ware with more diverse names than the plain old Tom, Pam or Kim.

This is new ground ground for the authorship of any document, since each character encoded can be recorded.  Consequently, data can be collected to see who contributed the most and how they contributed.

Demo-cursor vexilloids are oriented towards a Euro-centric axis, with no representation for other cultures

Galaxy Quest 1999 flags

Star Trek was a series that just cried for a spoof.  There have been so many, and many more to come.  From Saturday Night Live to Youtubers.  Spoofing Star Trek is a sign that this franchise is indeed a cultural institution.

However, a unique sentimental spoof made fun of the show and fans and yet, was able to capture that warm glow trekkie glow...Galaxy Quest 1999.   Several banner and flags appear in the movie.  During the convention-meet and greet the stars of the show- a purple Galaxy Quest pennant can be seen on the wall with the Saturn-like planetary logo.

Before he was cast as Snape, Alan Rickman, was a funky scientific alien with a flag swearing vengence for his fallen comrades.

Captain Harlock's Flag from Galaxy Express 999: キャプテンハーロックの旗—銀河鉄道999

 
The Star Trek of Japan is Galaxy Express 999 or rather the 'Ginga Tetsudo Sureenain' of the USA is Staru Tureku?  One key character is Captain Harlock, who flies the pirate ensign on his Galactic Voyager. 

Galaxy Express 999 was an animated show with many adult themes.  It was basically a star trek across the span of the Milky Way to Andromeda Galaxies.  Themes of life, love, death, war, broken dreams, immortality, ghosts, greed, capitalism, work and the social contract of cultures were its mainstaty, explored in each episode. 

KIRK = Tetsuro てつろ星野 鉄郎
SPOCK = Maetel  メーテル
SCOTTY = Shasho-san "Conductor" 車掌しゃしょう

Valley Forge US Monument Flag

Makeshift Flaming Flag from the movie Arctic 2019

A vexilloid was made by our hero who crash landed in the Acrtic.  He made a makeshift flaming flag to get the attention of a helicopter in the distance.

Flags of this nature can only be used once, and the fabric varies from a hodgepodge source of materials. 

Lower Swedish Cabin in Philly

The US peace canton flag flies along side, the lower Swedish Cabin just outside of Philadelphia in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  It is located in the municipality in Upper Darby Township.

The Flag of the Holy Land of Silence: 沈黙の聖地

The Holy Land of Silence(沈黙の聖地) is a fictional planet in the Japanese animation series Galaxy Express 999.  This story takes place on an intergalactic train that travels in between the Milky Way Galaxy and Andromeda Galaxy.   Along the way the space-train stops at various planets that the passengers can visit.  On one planet the flag of the Holy Land is Silence is shown. 

The flag has white filed with blue centered disc.  On the disc is an I-cross with black inner cross line.


This planet is not so holy, as the people have become paranoid of speaking loudly, due to people have inappropriate conversations.

A dictator arose on this planet the resultant oppressive atmosphere become unbearable for the locals.  

Flags on Ghost Planet Filament: Galaxy Express 999 幽霊世界のフィラメントの旗

On the Ghost Planet Filament, a whitish flag can be seen in a flash back about the people who once lived there. The shape of the flags were rectangular and pennant shaped.  It was aired to Japanese Audiences on April 12, 1979.

Flags in the Experiment for Eternal War—Galaxy Express 999: 永久戦斗実験室前編 September 1978

During the 47th and 48th episodes of Galaxy Express 999 (永久戦斗実験室前編) a unique flag appears that represents one side of the warring partners.  It is a horizontal tribar of white, blue, and white with a sky blue star in the center.  Also the middle blue stripe is wider.

In this episode the train stops at a planet that is at perpetual war.  But his perpetual war is controlled by the planetary tourism industry.  They pit two sides at each other so that tourists can enjoy and watch a war.

If you are unfamiliar with this ground breaking Japanese Anime, it is kind of like Star Trek but of its own bent.  Basically the Galaxy Express 999 is a throwback spaceship design of a train from the 19th century.  It is famous like the Enterprise, but its route is between the Andromeda and Milky Way Galaxies.

Oddly the army fighting under the star flag, has helmet insignia of a circle. The other side has the insignia of a star.  We never get to see the flag of the Star Helmet fighters, but it is a good bet it may have circle on it? 

The Galaxy Express makes stops at various planets all along its journey, where it makes contact with alien and weird civilizations.  

The Captain Kirk of Galaxy Express is an orphaned boy, Tetsuro, who is traveling to Andromeda for a cybernetic body so he can have an 'immortal' life.  The Spock of the series is a

mysterious, beautiful, and wise woman known as Maetel.  The conductor of the Spaceship Train is also a main character; he is a bit like Scottie, who must balance strict corporate policy of Galaxy Railways and every once and while bend the rules, to help is his beloved passengers: Tetsuro and Maetel.   This is one series the Sheldon Cooper would have flipped his nogin: Galaxy Express 999 =  Star Trek + Trains in Space!



Like all good Sci-fi: the stories deal with the heavy duty choices of human nature and the
infinite possibilities of doing good, evil, and everything else in between.  Sometimes formulaic, but so was the Original Star Trek.  This is must watch for any student of Anime and Star Trek.  Note,  this series was made just as the the OG plain Jane Han Shot first Star Wars hit our civilization in 1978.

In the sixth episode The Comet Library (彗星図書館) aired October 19, 1978.  Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 make an appearance.  Although the writers loved Star Wars, the series is more like Star Trek.

Flag from the Planet of Eternal War—1979: Galaxy Express 999

California Pandademic Republic Flag

Oh 2020! We are only half way over. 

It started with Kobe, then a viral outbreak, then civil unrest, what is next?  Sadly the election will have riots no matter who wins.  I'm usually wrong about predictions but, but we are over due for an Earthquake or gun nut flare up.   

This flag pokes fun at the Pandemic as a Panda-Demic?  Note the Bio Hazard symbol with viral coating take the place of the Red Star.  Likewise the Panda for replaces the California Grizzly.  The Panda like Corona Virus is from China.  But the Panda is so much cuter and nicer than COVID-19.

Rhode Island Revolutionary Heritage Flags

Rhode Island has three Revolutionary Heritage Flags.  These new designs account for Rhode Islands' order of accepting the governments of the United States.  The flag above with white and gold stars reflects Rhode Islands' rank as the 4th state of the Articles of Confederation and 13th state with the US Constitution.

Usually gold represents the original epoch of some age—like the Golden Age of Hollywood, Movies, Comics, Video Games, etc.  Thus the ratification of the first government of Rhode Island is represented by gold stars.

When you only take the view of the Articles of Confederation period, a field of four gold stars represent Rhode Island.

The hour dedicated to Rhode Island is at that earliest of Dawn's Early Light—4:13 AM.

Since Rhode Island was the 13th state to ratify the US Constitution, a circle of 13 white stars represents this order.  However, this is also the flag for the nation, as the Betsy Ross flag.  Consequently, the golden anchor from the state flag makes an appearance.   This also clarifies that this flag represents Rhode Island, rather than the US Yacht Ensign, which has a tilted white anchor with a fowled line.

Delaware Revolutionary Order Heritage Flags

Delaware is the 1st state and 12th state.  It depends on who you ask.  As far as Constitutional order is concerned, Delaware is the 1st.  But when you consider the first government, the Articles of Confederation, Delaware is 12th.  Too bad she wasn't 13th; it would have made a fun fact as for being first and last.

In honor of those orders, three flags were made to convey Delaware's positions.  Since the community operating systems of the Articles of Confederation came first, they are represented by gold stars.  Thus a flag with 12 golden stars represents Delaware.

But when you take the view of the Constitution, Delaware gets the coveted a single white "silver" star.  This Delaware flag kinda' looks like the flag of Liberia, but note Delaware's Constitutional Rank flag has 13 stripes, while Liberia's flag has 11 stripes.
 
Finally when you put both placement positions together, we have a single white star with 12 gold stars in a circle.

Thus all three flags all represent Delaware.  Also the hour dedicated to Delaware starts at 12:01 PM.  

Maryland Revolutionary Order Heritage Flags

 The flag above their 13 gold stars and 7 silver stars represents order of entry for Maryland under the US Constitution and Articles of Confederation.  Reason being Maryland was the last state with the Articles of Confederation, and later in 1788 was the 7th state to ratify the Constitution—the younger, Patch US Gov 2.0 that fixed the free play Us Gov 1.0 with a whole new mother load of apps and obligatory subscription software of 1788 (aka the US Constitution). 

However Maryland was originally the 13th state to join the United States under the Articles of Confederation.  Thus Maryland gets the coveted circle of 13 stars flag, reflecting her positions the last of the original 13 colonies to join the USA, on Ground Hog day back in 1783. 

 

 Finally there is the Constitutional and Confederation flag that denotes Maryland position as the 13th state of the Confederation and 7th state of the Constitution. 

 A funny coincidence is that Maryland's number of stars for her unilateral rank flags reflect the rebels of 1776 and of 1861.  Reason being there where 13 colonies in revolt in 1776.  Likewise 7 states formed the initial Southern Rebellion of 1861.  The first official flag of the USA had 13 stars while the first official flag of the CSA had 7 stars.  

Also the hour of Maryland begins at 1:07 PM, or rather 13:07 hrs.