Then Everything Changed

I am a big fan of the "Alternate History" genre of fiction: stories about "what if". For more info about alternate history books, check out Uchronia.

I am currently reading Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternate Histories of American Politics: JFK, RFK, Carter, Ford, Reagan, by Jeff Greenfield. What if JFK did not survive to his inauguration? What if RFK did? How would history have turned out differently? For more, see this New York Times review.

Of course, the reason it is featured here is the interesting flag graphic on the cover, with the stripes on the American flag veering off in unforeseen directions.

9/11 Flag Waving

Following that terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, on September 11, 2001, there was a surge in patriotic displays of the flag of the United States.

Photo gallery in Salon this week:
Flags for 9/11: Photographs from the aftermath of 9/11.
By Bryce Hall

"These pictures were all taken in California during the year following Sept. 11, 2001. Some are ironic ("God Bless America" coffee mugs made in China); others are simple expressions of patriotism."

Salute the Flag... Then Eat It!

What are you making for your 4th-of-July picnic?*

How about miniature tart shells filled with mascarpone cream and decorated with blueberries and strawberries?



From the Food Network.

*Some restrictions may apply. Void in England.

HT to Jennifer

Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. First proclaimed by Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and formally established by Congress in 1949, because it is not associated with a holiday day-off from work, it has been overshadowed by Memorial Day, with its parades and cook-outs.










From minor map flap on Cartophilia, Iraq-Pakistan Border, President Obama's 57-Star Flag lapel pin:


Happy Flag Day from Michael5000 and Cartophiliac!


UPDATE 6/15: An interesting coda to yesterday's holiday. This morning I read in the Dayton Daily News about a ceremony where over four thousand unserviceable American flags were honorably retired and destroyed by burning. This flag burning is not a protest:

The N States of America

The Congress of the United States is once again addressing the question of adding Puerto Rico as the 51st state. Who could be opposed to this? Republicans might be concerned about adding two new senators from a state likely to go strong for the Democratic party. English-Only activists might be unhappy about more Spanish speakers... However, the single lobby that should be MOST interested in adding a new state is the Flag Manufacturers Association of America. Just think of all the new flags that people will feel compelled to buy!

But how would we fit 51 stars on the blue field of the flag? At Salon.com today, a mathematician figures out the best way to jam an extra star onto the American flag. Plus: Generate patterns for every possible flag up to 100 stars.



After Puerto Rico, who's next?

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in the United States.