The Daily Show - flag proposal for Libya

John Oliver
proposing a new flag for Libya

The Daily Show is a satrical and sometimes serious take on the news. Recognizing itself as Fake News, yet it is often more real than supposed 'official' news. Its satirical editorial reporting even attracts serious official and professional guests - domestic and international. I wouldn't doubt that the Daily Show could book the new leader of North Korea in 2012 - Kim Jong-un.

Earlier this year a flag was facetiously proposed by John Oliver. It was horizontal tri-bar with a 'Canadian Fess.' The upper bar in chief was yellow, the middle bar was indigo, and the lower bar was red. In the center was a white crescent moon with two stars that looked like a smiley face.

National Geographic Society Flag

Jane Goodall with Chimpanzee
holding national geographic society flag

The National Geographic Society was formed on January 27, 1888. Today it has become the premier association for global awareness with a keen eye on the environment and political-cultural situations across the planet.

This society has an earthy flag.  It is a horizontal tri-bar of three colours - blue on top, brown in the middle, and green along the bottom. Each row also has part of association's name written in white - 'NATIONAL' on blue, 'GEOGRAPHIC' on brown and 'SOCIETY' on green.

This Society has funded several research scientists.  One particularly famous recipient is Jane Goodall, who was able to do ground a breaking study of wild chimpanzees in Central Africa - shattering the myth that only 'man' uses tools.

Flag of National Geographic Society

However, the more famous icon of the National Geographic Society is the yellow portrait frame. Naturally, the colours of the flag are earthy and represent the dominant colours of life - green and brown.

My Neighbor the Totoro, the Totoro Vexilloids - leafs and umbrellas

Notice the Totoro holding natural vexilloids - leaves

In 1988 Hayao Miyazaki's Tonari no Totoro would stir the imagination of Japan. A Totoro is a type of forest spirit-creature that can only be seen by little children, if they want to show themselves. They live in the forests and collect acorns. Totoros are like a mix of bunny and squirrel with a dash of magic.

In the movie three types of Totoros make an appearance. The smallest is a white totoro.  This wee white puff uses a tiny sprout as a vexilloid. The medium size blue totoro uses a large leaf as a vexilloid, and finally a large grey totoro with 'v' markings on the chest.  The big grey Totoro uses an umbrella as his vexilloid.

Satsuki and the smaller Totoros
causing the trees to grow

To the left is a little white totoro and mid-size blue totoro, they are standing in front of the tree patch that the girls had planted. In a strange semi-real dream, the Totoros show the girls how to help the seeds sprout into powerful cosmic tress. The totoros have seemed to open an alternate potential reality where the trees grow to enormous heights.

But the next morning, the girls return to ordinary reality minus the gargantuan trees, but the seeds that they had planted have sprouted. Although it seemed like a dream it was an educational experience out of the ordinary, with a little totoro magic.

Totoros with the girls
helping the spouts come pop up

Here the three Totoros with their respective vexilloids - an umbrella, a leaf, and a sprout stand next to Mei and Satsuki. The Totoro's show Mei and Satsuki that trees and people are interconnected.

Tis' the Season for Red and Green - Morocco and Bangladesh are buddies I see! Ho ho ho and let it snow!

Flag of Morocco
Flag of the Night - stars are suns that are far away

Red and green - ho ho ho! I spy a pair whose banners shimmer along the sea. Oh what a joy for vexillology! One in North Africa their other in South Asia, in stunning glee. I present to thee, a happy poem from the mouth of me.

United by the same holy book, a wise man, look!

Towards Mecca they pray, morning, night and day. First from the East unto the West, and then from the West unto the East. Which way is best? Who could guess? It's no matter which way, I say! As long as you pray morning, night, noon, and day!

Flag of Bangladesh
Flag of the Day - The sun is a star that is close by

Formerly colonies now on their own. Look how these lands have changed and grown.

They both feature a centrally placed star, one close up and the other from afar.

A counter charge of green and red, what more can be said? One land is witness to the mighty monsoon, the other a land where the desert may bloom.

With a grand range of character full of life, both entangled with a wee bit strife.
Nonetheless a happy place to live whose native people love to share and give.

Merry Christmas and or Happy Ramadan - tis' my hope you feel that sweet and refreshing splendid divine calm.

Ho, ho, ho!

The Flags of Turkish Star Wars

Nostalgic Elegant Remake Poster
Turkish Star Wars 1982

Probably the worst rip off from the Star Wars franchise was the infamous Turkish Star Wars. Officially its name was 'The Man who saves the World' - Dünyayı Kurtaran Adam.

It is one of the greatest knock offs in movie history. It shows that making knockoffs in international markets is a relatively easy thing to do.

This odd scatter brained film lifts shots from the Star Wars. It also lifts musical scores from Indiana Jones and the 1980s version of Flash Gordon.

Bad Guy Flags

This movie is also plays homage to the effect Star Wars and American Fantasy had around the world in the 1980s. Although many may consider it an insult, it is also a complement. It is art inspired by art, however crude and odd it may seem. No doubt there are many elements of American culture that rip off concepts from other countries. A good example being - Ugly Betty. Why didn't the American media simply dub the Yo soy Betty, la Fea?

The hero 'Murat' held prisoner
in front of the Empires Flags

Ugly Betty (Yo Soy Betty, La Fea) and Turkish Stars Wars show that Americans and Turks are similar in some degree. They prefer to see their heroes and heroines in their own image - even though the basic concept is still the same.

However the American adaptation of Ugly Betty was much more grand, but the US had and has much more capacity to adapt a foreign notion or show into their own makeup. Look how each culture has made images of Jesus to look like their own. There is African Jesus, German Jesus, Roman Jesus, and Greek Jesus. But remember Jesus was Asian, Israel is an Asian nation.

Perhaps Turks can relate and feel more for a hero who looks like their self than the blonde haired and blue eyed Luke Skywalker? Would Americans be able to relate to a hero who saves the galaxy and looked like a Turk or Chinese person? Maybe in the future but not in 1977.

Movie of Turkish Star Wars