I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
...I detected a fair degree of calculation and awareness of the terrain in his baiting of Candece Owens, especially his degradation of her physical attractiveness relative to Brigitte Macron, even if the only point was to amuse himself by provoking a few fireworks in reply.
A week or so ago, Trump posted a fake TIME magazine cover announcing Candace Owens as "Vile Person Of The Year", accompanied by an extremely unflattering(by conventional standards) photo of her, which some interpreted as a racist caricature.
But CO just dropped her reply video, cheerfully stating that she herself had been the original poster of the photo several years ago, and that it showed her in a condition of mold-related neurotoxic poisoning.
(For anyone keeping track, the general consensus seems to be that Laura Loomer is the person in Trump's circle behind some of his most outrageous attacks on the anti-neocon conservatives.)
I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
Not sure, but I think "subliminally reminding Americans that their president got a spurious deferral during the Vietnam War" is a pretty unlikely explanation for Charles' motivations there.
Am I the only one who immediately thought of the evil organization in C.S. Lewis' excellent novel, That Hideous Strength, N.I.C.E. (the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments)?
In April 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump said he supported a proposal to rename Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the “National Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” meaning agents would be called "NICE" agents.
I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
Not sure, but I think "subliminally reminding Americans that their president got a spurious deferral during the Vietnam War" is a pretty unlikely explanation for Charles' motivations there.
I thought the American military were supposed to be very good at ceremonial events. But I noticed they still managed to get the Union Flag upside down during the ceremony at Arlington.
I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
Not sure, but I think "subliminally reminding Americans that their president got a spurious deferral during the Vietnam War" is a pretty unlikely explanation for Charles' motivations there.
I thought the American military were supposed to be very good at ceremonial events. But I noticed they still managed to get the Union Flag upside down during the ceremony at Arlington.
To be fair many Brits do too. It is really easy to do. It looks like there is no right way up
I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
The King wore an array of medals and decorations at the state dinner, as well (as one does).
I can't imagine either the King or his staff thinking that he should alter his dress in the car. I don't think there's any deeper significance than "he was on his way to pay respects at Arlington, so dressed for the occasion".
I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
Not sure, but I think "subliminally reminding Americans that their president got a spurious deferral during the Vietnam War" is a pretty unlikely explanation for Charles' motivations there.
I thought the American military were supposed to be very good at ceremonial events. But I noticed they still managed to get the Union Flag upside down during the ceremony at Arlington.
At least it wasn’t the Australian flag, which was briefly put up (to be fair, not by the military) on the streets of Washington a few days prior to the visit. Fortunately, someone realized the error fairly quickly.
It’s a myth, apparently, but I’ve heard it argued that an upside down flag is a distress signal.
It happens quite a lot of course. Pity the official version doesn’t have a Welsh dragon in the centre. Better to look at than a printed sign somewhere saying “this way up”.
I noticed that in the final meeting between Trump and King Charles that Charles turned up with a load of medals being displayed (the news is a bit disjointed, I think that was just before Charles went to Arlington to pay his respects to fallen soldiers, and in those circumstances he wears medals, though it could have been afterwards). I know the only medal Charles really earned would be the one for long service in the Royal Navy, but it was a stark contrast to Donald "bone spurs" Trump with no medals. Charles could have attached and removed those medals in the car to/from Arlington, what was his intention in choosing to wear those medals standing next to Trump?
The King wore an array of medals and decorations at the state dinner, as well (as one does).
I can't imagine either the King or his staff thinking that he should alter his dress in the car. I don't think there's any deeper significance than "he was on his way to pay respects at Arlington, so dressed for the occasion".
He certainly wore the medals at Arlington to dress for the occasion - he almost always wears the medals (or, at least the associated ribbons) whenever he's at military occasions, and always when he attends war memorials, military cemeteries and other remembrance events.
Though, as far as I can tell there's only one medal that he's actually earned (for long service in the Royal Navy). I wonder how veterans with medals that they earned through active service feel about him showing off a lot of honorific medals unrelated to actual military service. But, that's the nature of royalty - royals get given lots of stuff they haven't worked for.
It’s a myth, apparently, but I’ve heard it argued that an upside down flag is a distress signal.
It happens quite a lot of course. Pity the official version doesn’t have a Welsh dragon in the centre. Better to look at than a printed sign somewhere saying “this way up”.
I was once told that the white on the union flag represents the white on the Welsh flag. Wrong but nice.
As to wearing medals. As a someone who has worked in hospitality most of their life medals are often worn at a formal occasion military or not over here.
Though, as far as I can tell there's only one medal that he's actually earned (for long service in the Royal Navy). I wonder how veterans with medals that they earned through active service feel about him showing off a lot of honorific medals unrelated to actual military service. But, that's the nature of royalty - royals get given lots of stuff they haven't worked for.
I suppose it's a bit like regimental animals - everyone knows their rank and decorations are a conceipt
While I do not know the protocol for the Union Jack, we were taught in school an upside-down American flag is a sign of distress. Been seeing the upside-down American flag in many pictures of No Kings Events.
While I do not know the protocol for the Union Jack, we were taught in school an upside-down American flag is a sign of distress. Been seeing the upside-down American flag in many pictures of No Kings Events.
Per the US Flag Code, 4 U.S.C. §8(a):
The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(The “union” is the blue part with the stars.)
I think primarily this has been a signal at sea.
And, of course, the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech means that this portion of the Flag Code is, except with regard to the government and the military, more like a suggestion of best practices.
Flying the American flag upside down as a signal of distress has definitely entered colloquial understanding here. I've seen the flag flown upside down at multiple protests in the last year and a half. I've considered buying one to fly out front of our building upside down on July 4.
Flying the American flag upside down as a signal of distress has definitely entered colloquial understanding here. I've seen the flag flown upside down at multiple protests in the last year and a half. I've considered buying one to fly out front of our building upside down on July 4.
Tempting.
In the past, I have always flown the flag properly, just to show my neighbors this old liberal is just as patriotic as they.
I am thinking the upside-down flag would show I am even more patriotic than them.
Thanks for the idea, Ruth (If you have not patented the idea by then).
The problem I see with flying the flag upside down in protest, is that if someone really needs to do so because they are in distress it would have lost that meaning.
The problem I see with flying the flag upside down in protest, is that if someone really needs to do so because they are in distress it would have lost that meaning.
I think the risk of confusion is minimal in the case of a flag on a home or at a rally. Calling 9-1-1 is going to be a lot faster and more effective.
And as I said earlier, I think an upside-down flag as a signal of distress is historically mainly a naval practice. I would suspect it has largely been replaced by more effective ways of signaling.
That said, it might be worth noting that upside-down flags were used by Trump-supporting “Stop the Steal” protesters after January 6, 2021. An upside-down flag was spotted at Justice Alito’s house on January 17, 2021.
That said, it might be worth noting that upside-down flags were used by Trump-supporting “Stop the Steal” protesters after January 6, 2021. An upside-down flag was spotted at Justice Alito’s house on January 17, 2021.
At the end of the day, all the upside-down flag is technically conveying is "I think this country is being governed badly", without actually saying who among the powers-that-be are the bad rulers, eg. Democrats will mean Trump and his administration; Republicans will mean the legislators who certified the 2016 results, judges who rule against Trump's policies etc.
That said, it might be worth noting that upside-down flags were used by Trump-supporting “Stop the Steal” protesters after January 6, 2021. An upside-down flag was spotted at Justice Alito’s house on January 17, 2021.
At the end of the day, all the upside-down flag is technically conveying is "I think this country is being governed badly", without actually saying who among the powers-that-be are the bad rulers, eg. Democrats will mean Trump and his administration; Republicans will mean the legislators who certified the 2016 results, judges who rule against Trump's policies etc.
I cannot say all Republicans were upset with the congress people who certified the 2020 results, after all close to half of the people who certified the results were Republican; not can I say it will only be Democrats who would fly the flag upside down because of the Trump administration.
BTW concerning the flag being flown upside down out of Justice Alito's house, it is thought Alito's wife hung the flag upside down, not necessarily the Justice.
I cannot say all Republicans were upset with the congress people who certified the 2020 results, after all close to half of the people who certified the results were Republican; not can I say it will only be Democrats who would fly the flag upside down because of the Trump administration.
Well, sure, but there are at least some Republicans who think the certification was evil, and if those particular Republicans were to say that America is in crisis, the certification would for them be Exhibit A.
Other Republicans might mean eg. that it's a crisis that abortion hasn't yet been criminalized nationwide, or whatever. Point is, a symbol meaning simply "America is in distress" doesn't tell you much about what the person thinks the actual problems are.
Comments
A week or so ago, Trump posted a fake TIME magazine cover announcing Candace Owens as "Vile Person Of The Year", accompanied by an extremely unflattering(by conventional standards) photo of her, which some interpreted as a racist caricature.
But CO just dropped her reply video, cheerfully stating that she herself had been the original poster of the photo several years ago, and that it showed her in a condition of mold-related neurotoxic poisoning.
(For anyone keeping track, the general consensus seems to be that Laura Loomer is the person in Trump's circle behind some of his most outrageous attacks on the anti-neocon conservatives.)
Not sure, but I think "subliminally reminding Americans that their president got a spurious deferral during the Vietnam War" is a pretty unlikely explanation for Charles' motivations there.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/ice-nice-name-change/
I thought the American military were supposed to be very good at ceremonial events. But I noticed they still managed to get the Union Flag upside down during the ceremony at Arlington.
To be fair many Brits do too. It is really easy to do. It looks like there is no right way up
The King wore an array of medals and decorations at the state dinner, as well (as one does).
I can't imagine either the King or his staff thinking that he should alter his dress in the car. I don't think there's any deeper significance than "he was on his way to pay respects at Arlington, so dressed for the occasion".
It happens quite a lot of course. Pity the official version doesn’t have a Welsh dragon in the centre. Better to look at than a printed sign somewhere saying “this way up”.
Though, as far as I can tell there's only one medal that he's actually earned (for long service in the Royal Navy). I wonder how veterans with medals that they earned through active service feel about him showing off a lot of honorific medals unrelated to actual military service. But, that's the nature of royalty - royals get given lots of stuff they haven't worked for.
I was once told that the white on the union flag represents the white on the Welsh flag. Wrong but nice.
As to wearing medals. As a someone who has worked in hospitality most of their life medals are often worn at a formal occasion military or not over here.
I think the Welsh deserve a dragon!
Bet you didn't know we had two flags!!!
I suppose it's a bit like regimental animals - everyone knows their rank and decorations are a conceipt
I think primarily this has been a signal at sea.
And, of course, the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech means that this portion of the Flag Code is, except with regard to the government and the military, more like a suggestion of best practices.
Tempting.
In the past, I have always flown the flag properly, just to show my neighbors this old liberal is just as patriotic as they.
I am thinking the upside-down flag would show I am even more patriotic than them.
Thanks for the idea, Ruth (If you have not patented the idea by then).
And as I said earlier, I think an upside-down flag as a signal of distress is historically mainly a naval practice. I would suspect it has largely been replaced by more effective ways of signaling.
That said, it might be worth noting that upside-down flags were used by Trump-supporting “Stop the Steal” protesters after January 6, 2021. An upside-down flag was spotted at Justice Alito’s house on January 17, 2021.
At the end of the day, all the upside-down flag is technically conveying is "I think this country is being governed badly", without actually saying who among the powers-that-be are the bad rulers, eg. Democrats will mean Trump and his administration; Republicans will mean the legislators who certified the 2016 results, judges who rule against Trump's policies etc.
Sorry. That should be "the 2020 results".
I cannot say all Republicans were upset with the congress people who certified the 2020 results, after all close to half of the people who certified the results were Republican; not can I say it will only be Democrats who would fly the flag upside down because of the Trump administration.
BTW concerning the flag being flown upside down out of Justice Alito's house, it is thought Alito's wife hung the flag upside down, not necessarily the Justice.
Well, sure, but there are at least some Republicans who think the certification was evil, and if those particular Republicans were to say that America is in crisis, the certification would for them be Exhibit A.
Other Republicans might mean eg. that it's a crisis that abortion hasn't yet been criminalized nationwide, or whatever. Point is, a symbol meaning simply "America is in distress" doesn't tell you much about what the person thinks the actual problems are.