tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16005970974185838392024-03-05T08:13:25.148-05:00Vexillophilia: Flags and Flag Fun<img src="http://vexillophilia.com/graphics/vexilogo1.jpg" align="left"><img src="http://vexillophilia.com/graphics/vexilogo2.jpg" align="right">Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky: Hats off! The flag is passing by." -- Henry Holcomb BennettCartophiliachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380642357785275377noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-11114680969941060322011-05-13T15:53:00.000-04:002011-05-13T15:53:42.419-04:00Lower the Flag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPC03eMPZXsuN1K1ZNtYBnURYbL_wUEIWSLO5w3coiiS74_F5kBV7fckxlzWbSzVpQwFwLSPQxrvm39skgLhtv0anGcv8eFyWc7ZUbukmNAJ0SqMCAm6IU9tDFvYiyKSUvdEA4q7X6Nkk/s1600/061116-F-2034C-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPC03eMPZXsuN1K1ZNtYBnURYbL_wUEIWSLO5w3coiiS74_F5kBV7fckxlzWbSzVpQwFwLSPQxrvm39skgLhtv0anGcv8eFyWc7ZUbukmNAJ0SqMCAm6IU9tDFvYiyKSUvdEA4q7X6Nkk/s400/061116-F-2034C-011.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>We ran it up the flag pole... but it just didn't fly.<br />
<br />
Neither <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/">Michael5000</a> nor <a href="http://cartophilia.blogspot.com/">Cartophiliac</a> have been able to generate enough interest in this topic to hold our interest in maintaining a blog just about flags... March Madness was fun, but what are we going to do the rest of the year?<br />
<br />
Therefore we are closing up shop. We may leave the blog up for a little while but it will eventually be deleted.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Michael5000 will likely continue with his occasional <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/search/label/Flags">Flag Friday</a> ranking of the nation's flags, so continue to read The Life and Times of Michael5000 for your flag fix.<br />
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<a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/">http://michael5000.blogspot.com/</a>Cartophiliachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380642357785275377noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-58160837663588092732011-05-06T09:29:00.000-04:002011-05-06T09:29:09.139-04:00Flag Friday XXVII<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5Ur3jP3FhUtMcXTSh34HbuBVAK3RCXtcuhiFRYjtJewTYZ0qVlWSN1qCWqPL3yoK3ohtdPfYqYkWqRMTMABmn9ICoohlLz759UjFIcdo6bGApbIBLN3Rr6lRxWZ2ZuQCGAi2W6zRwA2/s1600/flag+fridays.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="232" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458002379231028258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5Ur3jP3FhUtMcXTSh34HbuBVAK3RCXtcuhiFRYjtJewTYZ0qVlWSN1qCWqPL3yoK3ohtdPfYqYkWqRMTMABmn9ICoohlLz759UjFIcdo6bGApbIBLN3Rr6lRxWZ2ZuQCGAi2W6zRwA2/s640/flag+fridays.jpg" style="display: block; height: 145px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 85%;">Flag Friday is a periodic discussion of the world's national flags; the project is explained and indexed <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2010/01/flag-fridays-alternative-rating-of.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
These discussions are about graphic design, and perhaps about nationalism and national symbolism in general. They should not be taken as critical of the countries, ideals, cultures, or people that the flags represent.</span></em><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Nicaragua</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SinN3VdO7Du1pPQvm0yqdzEFofu7lCSBnzdFH7yMRQptxeAfdeUgEfclX6E8B3mK4yfyMR1v2b7sYe51dSCQaFUsAsj-csdgVEj99yoDFxG-uw1U_gQDllkBT1hiSfTQyEE6waTlCdY/s1600/Nicaragua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SinN3VdO7Du1pPQvm0yqdzEFofu7lCSBnzdFH7yMRQptxeAfdeUgEfclX6E8B3mK4yfyMR1v2b7sYe51dSCQaFUsAsj-csdgVEj99yoDFxG-uw1U_gQDllkBT1hiSfTQyEE6waTlCdY/s400/Nicaragua.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons:</strong> "It's probably lucky for Nicaragua that the vile choice of colours in this flag prevents me from seeing what's written on it." He dislikes the "Writing," the "Bad Colours," the "Bad Shape" (?), and the "Graven Images," and gives it a "D", 40/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>I've seen the Nicaraguan flag criticized somewhere for not only including the country's name, but it's address -- the text that Parsons could see reads "Republica de Nicaragua - America Central." I tend to think of the flag of consisting of a blue-white-blue tricolor ("vile choice of colours"?) with a hoop of gold text surrounding a central triangle. It's when you get into the triangle that things get fussy, pictorial, and strange, with a radiant "cap of freedom" hovering over a mountain range and under a volcano. Trippy, and pretty much a total fail on the Betsy Ross front.<br />
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</div><div><b>Grade: C-</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><strong>Niger</strong></b></span></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRM7HVhX4Oh-omYxBUBqj8BHy47Wqu8Rv6VdX_WQFgWfxABORBgB96wDNB7DTXM_tTcVcIcnjQxkxLN_F5rpBxdQMzHUT5nZEhPjxnJwc4cVt6noDsf-fh6TnW4yMorCjfhI1ZYNyf-s/s1600/Niger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRM7HVhX4Oh-omYxBUBqj8BHy47Wqu8Rv6VdX_WQFgWfxABORBgB96wDNB7DTXM_tTcVcIcnjQxkxLN_F5rpBxdQMzHUT5nZEhPjxnJwc4cVt6noDsf-fh6TnW4yMorCjfhI1ZYNyf-s/s400/Niger.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons: </strong>"Good Shape." A "B-", 65/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>I always likes it when a flag pops up that combines very simple elements in an unusual way, and Niger's circle-in-a-tricolor scheme is a great example. It's only too bad that the colors are so close to those of India, which has a circle-like figure within its own tricolor. Officially, Niger's flag has a 6:7 ratio, which is just about as <i>bad</i> a shape as you can get without giving up the rectangle. Since no one, including the government of Niger (as opposed to the Nigerian government, which is interestingly something completely different) actually uses the almost-square layout, though, we can reasonably ignore it.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade: B+</b></div><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Nigeria</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9taNmY0dEgdt9QZJTPH_pHtpOw1k51PX8_73fNQQQivnuQQlA0GT4L3a0Ydhx32OH6WLEVCOy1JRRNQd9cprJMGKXJGbvXxVYNgqIuu3HUnVGKIlCB1dpcyYqWNaswuAR_sAafarMODE/s1600/Nigeria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9taNmY0dEgdt9QZJTPH_pHtpOw1k51PX8_73fNQQQivnuQQlA0GT4L3a0Ydhx32OH6WLEVCOy1JRRNQd9cprJMGKXJGbvXxVYNgqIuu3HUnVGKIlCB1dpcyYqWNaswuAR_sAafarMODE/s400/Nigeria.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons: </strong>Calling it a "Bad Tricolour," Parsons nevertheless gives it a "B," 70/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>Using common colors in a distinctive scheme that is immediately distinguishable from any other world flag, this is an excellent tricolor. It's not incredibly exciting, but it embodies the important flaggy virtues. Technically it's got the 1:2 ratio that we discovered last year is characteristic of former British colonies, but the online evidence suggests that it usually reverts to the 3:5 <i>de facto</i> standard.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Grade: A-</b></div><div><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">North Korea</span></b></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1VlxB1ByUx1nHl2XqXcsgtAj8e2hgt2DqqEScAA2O5s3mwV3X1jzlOKWkJ7b81k0AKSuvHeYdri2938HBQ3tP9rJ-DIyS3zMv7rpKP7xsKjpf34E3DPx-DmpZaDCAAvxIV96lhxZt9w/s1600/North+Korea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1VlxB1ByUx1nHl2XqXcsgtAj8e2hgt2DqqEScAA2O5s3mwV3X1jzlOKWkJ7b81k0AKSuvHeYdri2938HBQ3tP9rJ-DIyS3zMv7rpKP7xsKjpf34E3DPx-DmpZaDCAAvxIV96lhxZt9w/s400/North+Korea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons:</strong> "The star is very well placed with regard to the shape of the whole flag," writes Parsons, "but the overall design is just somehow lacking in zest." Yet its "Good Shape" must count for something, because he gives it an "A-", 80/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong> It's hard to find much to like about the DPRK, but their flag is pretty good. Of course, I'm a sucker for white striplets. The star-in-circle logo says "Texaco" to me, but I agree that having it offset inward is a nice touch. And this is a rare occasion that I think 1:2 is a good choice of ratio. <br />
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<b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Norway</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74R1_bls9hDlWqvl5TFpcMopr2eCvf-Jl5RGMrHqBHHod7blJYkVuKQMBESp3PxtcCCfD0zEQ9JS2XWiccSo1OZh_wDWKtO296X-VE5-3YMsKaXjSu1vHAvNuYgBfQYt7kLsci1BybQI/s1600/Norway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74R1_bls9hDlWqvl5TFpcMopr2eCvf-Jl5RGMrHqBHHod7blJYkVuKQMBESp3PxtcCCfD0zEQ9JS2XWiccSo1OZh_wDWKtO296X-VE5-3YMsKaXjSu1vHAvNuYgBfQYt7kLsci1BybQI/s400/Norway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>Without comment, it gets a "B", 74/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>The flag of Norway is more or less the opposite of the flag of <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2010/11/flag-friday-xvii.html">Iceland</a>. And both of them are awesome.<br />
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<b>Grade: A</b></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-2120211493728908672011-04-26T12:08:00.000-04:002011-04-26T12:08:19.355-04:00For the Fan that Takes His Vexillophilia Seriously Part 2Earlier this month, I showed you what I thought was <a href="http://vexillophilia.blogspot.com/2011/04/for-fan-that-takes-his-vexillophilia.html">just a head-full of vexillophillic tattoos</a>... but no.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ibnlive.in.com/news/70yearold-man-has-305-country-flag-tattoos/150115-19.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48I4rtoMDKXVMsg5F_zQLy5rV51jQfLwUWs22O9TDT_iVxGxvW0F1sOCTZMtXqZZ8buUsGeCT6ygUIXSKOJljawDaYnjx0ccXnt7qHHD31y5KUginXhcqNeYVE5t3SDH3pNi8LgHadnLa/s400/guinness-rishi-250411.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Ew.<br />
<br>Cartophiliachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380642357785275377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-39545608971058901142011-04-22T11:16:00.000-04:002011-04-22T11:16:05.646-04:00Flag Friday XXVI<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5Ur3jP3FhUtMcXTSh34HbuBVAK3RCXtcuhiFRYjtJewTYZ0qVlWSN1qCWqPL3yoK3ohtdPfYqYkWqRMTMABmn9ICoohlLz759UjFIcdo6bGApbIBLN3Rr6lRxWZ2ZuQCGAi2W6zRwA2/s1600/flag+fridays.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="232" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458002379231028258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5Ur3jP3FhUtMcXTSh34HbuBVAK3RCXtcuhiFRYjtJewTYZ0qVlWSN1qCWqPL3yoK3ohtdPfYqYkWqRMTMABmn9ICoohlLz759UjFIcdo6bGApbIBLN3Rr6lRxWZ2ZuQCGAi2W6zRwA2/s640/flag+fridays.jpg" style="display: block; height: 145px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 85%;">Flag Friday is a periodic discussion of the world's national flags; the project is explained and indexed <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2010/01/flag-fridays-alternative-rating-of.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
These discussions are about graphic design, and perhaps about nationalism and national symbolism in general. They should not be taken as critical of the countries, ideals, cultures, or people that the flags represent.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Namibia</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUpDvZMgfbnuKgOyzcDbYBnqW88zGv896XCavFCg1hHUsqYGU9ogWYJ5k9ZeIzWOcEgAcSfjbUOJ3jAGhUsLsOZh-F8Gm2s9eUZ6Q9La9KL0Yb4vUtNyAH-QDOtStyVB0X67RQamcBeQ/s1600/Namibia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUpDvZMgfbnuKgOyzcDbYBnqW88zGv896XCavFCg1hHUsqYGU9ogWYJ5k9ZeIzWOcEgAcSfjbUOJ3jAGhUsLsOZh-F8Gm2s9eUZ6Q9La9KL0Yb4vUtNyAH-QDOtStyVB0X67RQamcBeQ/s400/Namibia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons:</strong> Without comment, the good doctor gives it a "B+", 75/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>Namibia didn't manage to shake off of South Africa until 1990, so this is one of the more contemporary flags going in Africa. I like it. It's got all three primaries and green, which is pretty much an honorary primary, in a memorable and somehow friendly-seeming arrangement. I guess it's the circle-and-triangles sun that makes it seem upbeat. I bet some people will call it juvenile, but I think it stays on the dignified side of that line. And everybody knows I'm a sucker for white stripelets.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><strong>Nauru</strong></b></span></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZr4adlWO6PGwFVlaFa6XQ-ZNuOyIPHbxhxz7b8Xbrb3ihEXckSvftcIszsrd0Fgp62RP6ofgxALJwDIwN1HsymosfOthzO8c5fOV3-TXEznoAUZlgIl9lkX6Znavg5R9CDB2trCEeA8/s1600/Nauru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZr4adlWO6PGwFVlaFa6XQ-ZNuOyIPHbxhxz7b8Xbrb3ihEXckSvftcIszsrd0Fgp62RP6ofgxALJwDIwN1HsymosfOthzO8c5fOV3-TXEznoAUZlgIl9lkX6Znavg5R9CDB2trCEeA8/s400/Nauru.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>Disliking a "Corporate Logo" look but feeling that it has a "good shape" (?), the good doctor gives it a "C+", 60/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>Parsons must not have realized that we're looking at a map here. Aren't we? Yes, I just checked, and that's the map of an island that lies just south of the Equator. Since I don't share Parsons' dislike of maps on flags, that almost makes me want to like it. Not going to happen, though. Putting the dominant visual element in the bottom half of a flag, even though I understand the reason, raises my design hackles. And it really does have a very Corporate Logo look. This should be the banner of Nauru Airlines, not Nauru.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade: C-</b></div><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Nepal</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uwJmT1ol9XuQGeJjVW4TwRqM3p2jypZ_S1RUhsoS_BcEB5XUNvvAkrPap0ynZFHB_-TmnGUONPhJ30WpiCAmJOn0PgRJPJ5eUxduqjBFsjC7WpQ23-UMMvClX29Jv4GqOV209EnYYLI/s1600/nepal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uwJmT1ol9XuQGeJjVW4TwRqM3p2jypZ_S1RUhsoS_BcEB5XUNvvAkrPap0ynZFHB_-TmnGUONPhJ30WpiCAmJOn0PgRJPJ5eUxduqjBFsjC7WpQ23-UMMvClX29Jv4GqOV209EnYYLI/s400/nepal.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>With a "Bad Shape" but "Original," it ties with Nauru with a "C+", 60/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>I have an absolutely terrific picture of some kids I work with, kids who grew up in refugee camps in Nepal, clustered around the Nepalese flag in the Hall of Flags on the Oregon State University campus, amazed to see such a familiar thing in such an unexpected context. I'm not going to stick it online, for obvious reasons. But, it's extremely cute. </div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yet even while I was taking the picture, I was wondering if it's really quite.... <i>fair</i> for Nepal to be quite so Bohemian (so to speak) in its flag design. I mean, is that even properly a <i>flag</i>? Innit more of a <i>pendant</i>? Couldn't that design just been attached to a white field to make a still very distinct, but properly flag-shaped, national banner? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaR9_n80RWgBrpPBCcI04QA9FT4n6kicjX9tIKGRmreLxSUA4tWuBkVVAiu5QlS0Sdgdt-reU2Wgz7jCcxNiqk_tgPEkLlIqvOfuRSy3C7MofCn0iySKdo-gOvge7kY1qHl3IdAKbo6k/s1600/nepal+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaR9_n80RWgBrpPBCcI04QA9FT4n6kicjX9tIKGRmreLxSUA4tWuBkVVAiu5QlS0Sdgdt-reU2Wgz7jCcxNiqk_tgPEkLlIqvOfuRSy3C7MofCn0iySKdo-gOvge7kY1qHl3IdAKbo6k/s320/nepal+mod.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hmm, I guess not. It was worth a try, though.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade (for the real "flag"): C+</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Netherlands</b></span></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj4c4cxq3Tj86w2MX5ciEwBlKGcOYvBmhu_KWHRwCfVOPaZLfbI-hUtduwjtm7cVn_udLVIyB2Blt8Z6O0E_MPfXDR4Yr4B_LfMmZEaYIbfH0Moke_bldNbe-zLMqdvXDdFSqE6KpfgA/s1600/Netherlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj4c4cxq3Tj86w2MX5ciEwBlKGcOYvBmhu_KWHRwCfVOPaZLfbI-hUtduwjtm7cVn_udLVIyB2Blt8Z6O0E_MPfXDR4Yr4B_LfMmZEaYIbfH0Moke_bldNbe-zLMqdvXDdFSqE6KpfgA/s400/Netherlands.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>No comments -- only a "B", 70/100.<br />
<br />
<strong>Michael5000: </strong> Back when we talked about <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2011/01/flag-friday-xxii.html">Luxembourg</a>, in addition making an embarrassing gaffe, I gave that little country's flag -- nearly identical to Netherland's -- a B-. However, Luxembourg was getting graded down for creating a modern flag so easily confused with the very long-standing flag of a neighbor. <i>Very</i> long-standing. <i>Very, very</i> longstanding. 1572 longstanding. This is, in fact, the original horizontal tricolor. So where Luxembourg was derivative, the Netherlands is rocking an innovative design, and obviously one that has turned out to have some enduring appeal. Got to respect that.<br />
<br />
<b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">New Zealand</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltiGw3fKqJT4BVXTxppG2acdcj1AoyZyBMkan5Lq9tn32DiY5NCxk9zRwavppuTSJWx6P7t8BMO5AZpP1i9xw5nMvfL1Q8SYHQT3UPgeHxUddvEVURYywpR0Hh-Rmi3B8ZRBMqxnl6vs/s1600/New+Zealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltiGw3fKqJT4BVXTxppG2acdcj1AoyZyBMkan5Lq9tn32DiY5NCxk9zRwavppuTSJWx6P7t8BMO5AZpP1i9xw5nMvfL1Q8SYHQT3UPgeHxUddvEVURYywpR0Hh-Rmi3B8ZRBMqxnl6vs/s400/New+Zealand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>Dr. Parsons can't be said to be too partial to the home team. He dislikes the "Colonial Nonsense" of his own country's flag, and gives it only a "C", 55/100.<br />
<br />
<strong>Michael5000: </strong>See <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2010/01/flag-friday-ii.html">Australia</a>. Mitigated by fewer and nicer stars.<br />
<br />
<b>Grade: C+</b></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-42708811911202684192011-04-18T15:24:00.000-04:002011-04-18T15:24:00.086-04:00Patriotic Vexillophilia, c. 1915<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfdk205BZF6UxxlKsDlq8KlcXlBIy3mDgcHeBnI7zm1OGJJVFy6F8acjjzUyi7Ca-MTvbUM4KDrbVqDw3UDWf278rBp1dy-xNL7jFAjrBAu2HLCTH4EDSD0F_5mr3thbVFGZ6d5eNQL8/s1600/The+Allied+Flags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfdk205BZF6UxxlKsDlq8KlcXlBIy3mDgcHeBnI7zm1OGJJVFy6F8acjjzUyi7Ca-MTvbUM4KDrbVqDw3UDWf278rBp1dy-xNL7jFAjrBAu2HLCTH4EDSD0F_5mr3thbVFGZ6d5eNQL8/s640/The+Allied+Flags.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The Allied Flags"</span></b><br />
<b>Raphael Tuck & Sons' "Oilette" Postcard No. 8729</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-26869578543796193452011-04-15T14:23:00.000-04:002011-04-15T14:23:37.116-04:00Well, Not Everyone is a Maps & Flags Person....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf6X4w442XVMly3J0Y8wveC0PM3AgnxJWJgLeK7iX-rFo-H5FFXLPIagc7-tL2gF4hL3TqcKZ4SgNtQMfHK-8VEZPaDK4vGtK0y1aMdDx81eXrP4rnxqTGSz8vZkiCtB5tY-x73_T23Q/s1600/Arizona+Flag+Fail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf6X4w442XVMly3J0Y8wveC0PM3AgnxJWJgLeK7iX-rFo-H5FFXLPIagc7-tL2gF4hL3TqcKZ4SgNtQMfHK-8VEZPaDK4vGtK0y1aMdDx81eXrP4rnxqTGSz8vZkiCtB5tY-x73_T23Q/s640/Arizona+Flag+Fail.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<i>Image randomly encountered on internet, February 2011.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-64445601805715206662011-04-08T17:42:00.000-04:002011-04-08T17:42:08.778-04:00For the Fan that Takes His Vexillophilia Seriously<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IIYGmwvcq-mGxPxJiXQEhnjIhfMwRFrkjC8fchGYM9HJMZlZrIGVrusCfshC4Zdhhh1nqCXCpAIOGtyq6u5UhZ_GhRkPhkCt3cURHUr9bDDoBYdU8fFRITJUiBlQybINMoJvXnkB4JRL/s1600/208531_1979226565181_1378669599_2330980_3797993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IIYGmwvcq-mGxPxJiXQEhnjIhfMwRFrkjC8fchGYM9HJMZlZrIGVrusCfshC4Zdhhh1nqCXCpAIOGtyq6u5UhZ_GhRkPhkCt3cURHUr9bDDoBYdU8fFRITJUiBlQybINMoJvXnkB4JRL/s400/208531_1979226565181_1378669599_2330980_3797993_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Via <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=1979226565181&set=o.152221034829845&theater" target="_blank">American Flag & Gift</a>Cartophiliachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380642357785275377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-81268002132033252892011-04-08T05:00:00.003-04:002011-04-08T10:03:00.319-04:00Flag Friday XXV<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5Ur3jP3FhUtMcXTSh34HbuBVAK3RCXtcuhiFRYjtJewTYZ0qVlWSN1qCWqPL3yoK3ohtdPfYqYkWqRMTMABmn9ICoohlLz759UjFIcdo6bGApbIBLN3Rr6lRxWZ2ZuQCGAi2W6zRwA2/s1600/flag+fridays.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="232" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458002379231028258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5Ur3jP3FhUtMcXTSh34HbuBVAK3RCXtcuhiFRYjtJewTYZ0qVlWSN1qCWqPL3yoK3ohtdPfYqYkWqRMTMABmn9ICoohlLz759UjFIcdo6bGApbIBLN3Rr6lRxWZ2ZuQCGAi2W6zRwA2/s640/flag+fridays.jpg" style="display: block; height: 145px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 85%;">Flag Friday is a periodic discussion of the world's national flags; the project is explained and indexed <a href="http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2010/01/flag-fridays-alternative-rating-of.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
These discussions are about graphic design, and perhaps about nationalism and national symbolism in general. They should not be taken as critical of the countries, ideals, cultures, or people that the flags represent.</span></em><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Monaco</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4A_Ed8-M7l00yflNjscp937JWQZGRap934T-h2A2vXIwk_WcGUsFFd6MiQj-VTD3qe-6fi3TDQcWjbbmIP0OZyexrnmh0gzvsNxCt6a5ljsjdUhEJZv12p6gOcJYDHgIOwFFiRF9P18C-/s1600/Monaco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4A_Ed8-M7l00yflNjscp937JWQZGRap934T-h2A2vXIwk_WcGUsFFd6MiQj-VTD3qe-6fi3TDQcWjbbmIP0OZyexrnmh0gzvsNxCt6a5ljsjdUhEJZv12p6gOcJYDHgIOwFFiRF9P18C-/s400/Monaco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons:</strong> "Yawn..." writes Parsons. "Nice shape, but nearly as boring as Libya." Still, it gets a "B", 70/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>This is pretty much the same flag as that of Indonesia. Well, Indonesia is in the 2:3 ratio and Monaco is officially 4:5, but in practice Monaco usually gets tweaked to 2:3, so Bob's your uncle. I checked back to make sure I'm giving the two the same grade, and it looks like Parsons did too.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade: B-</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><strong>Mongolia</strong></b></span></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ8HAhdlV9QHR5c38PpWFI4EspA_f-FjAFYCSIZSnnMY-b-auuLSFFB_TDJz-148Q8Rx5DFrKX6Pzvi2EbMt6elGwSHACW2LGJlekDvCSI2k6qFJFHCdoR9Amz4cADPTkRy6pLhRky2ej/s1600/mongolia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ8HAhdlV9QHR5c38PpWFI4EspA_f-FjAFYCSIZSnnMY-b-auuLSFFB_TDJz-148Q8Rx5DFrKX6Pzvi2EbMt6elGwSHACW2LGJlekDvCSI2k6qFJFHCdoR9Amz4cADPTkRy6pLhRky2ej/s400/mongolia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons: </strong>"Too Busy." A "C+", 60/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>Oh, I dunno. The golden business on the inside panel (the "Soyombo") is a little complicated, but it's all in one color, the shapes are pretty big and simple, and it's an important national symbol. It's no busier than, say, a set of five stars. I like the coloration, and the red-light blue-red vertical tricolor base is pretty keen. And it's got good distinctiveness and recognizability. I'm liking the flag of Mongolia.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade: A-</b></div><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Montenegro</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLU5MPWYXBqvbvVRyqTdyUdLz8wFxOiRmP8DPsiGGtzNnAFVONsIPdqCQu-_r85jcUfzGg-vARvbLD2Lj_azAsFVwNASD_zNBnIPZ99uGJCo0tkdaEr5XrPJSlIX5wK0aFf9NLShVv9Rv/s1600/Montenegro1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLU5MPWYXBqvbvVRyqTdyUdLz8wFxOiRmP8DPsiGGtzNnAFVONsIPdqCQu-_r85jcUfzGg-vARvbLD2Lj_azAsFVwNASD_zNBnIPZ99uGJCo0tkdaEr5XrPJSlIX5wK0aFf9NLShVv9Rv/s400/Montenegro1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<strong>Parsons: </strong>Montenegro has been something of an on-again, off-again country for the past eleven centuries. It was not on the map when Parsons made his sweep, but it's on again as of June 2006.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>Whoa, what century is this? The flag of the newest (I think) country going looks decidedly like one of the flags of the world as depicted on a 1880s cigar box. Or maybe like the lid of an 1880s cigar box. Is that really the flag?</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFxzPvm80SfS9J8qh2hkDRwQPRdlRUOcv0EVCYw7Eer-atfR9TqfFqs42ErjZM4-s0ZwoDIuSMXRiBmnUvfTmW-Tej1gPx_aW3OpEy1Sajao1BMmzxOUSbilpVeQo3UCw-XgEAoYpPrMf/s1600/Montenegro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFxzPvm80SfS9J8qh2hkDRwQPRdlRUOcv0EVCYw7Eer-atfR9TqfFqs42ErjZM4-s0ZwoDIuSMXRiBmnUvfTmW-Tej1gPx_aW3OpEy1Sajao1BMmzxOUSbilpVeQo3UCw-XgEAoYpPrMf/s400/Montenegro.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Yup, guess it is. I'm going to give it points for distinctiveness, obviously -- although it's not a radical departure from neighboring Albania -- and, once we get used to Montenegro being on again, recognizability. Also, the central device uses only a modest three colors, so it is capable of being rendered in applique as opposed to screenprinting -- extremely laboriously, though. And obviously, there's a real traditional look here. Let's see... we'll give it a....</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Grade (for the current flag): B</b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Morocco</span></b></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqflUml9c0qnKkNDAk5SfyfgMbirLiGEZkuEDiNsHNmPsWRk9G4LnIHNkl7NQBtmUcbVA8k81rvBCrbR-MLjGhhvty1xU8qj6BwpGItTTQEFE51A4t6CnEJrCkfLNRj2M0Wjioggb10vt/s1600/Morocco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqflUml9c0qnKkNDAk5SfyfgMbirLiGEZkuEDiNsHNmPsWRk9G4LnIHNkl7NQBtmUcbVA8k81rvBCrbR-MLjGhhvty1xU8qj6BwpGItTTQEFE51A4t6CnEJrCkfLNRj2M0Wjioggb10vt/s400/Morocco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>"Apart from the colours, this is a nice design," writes Parsons. "Pentagram is a bit adolescent though." It has "Bad Colours," it's "eye-watering," but it's "simple," and it gets a "B", 72/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong> In fairness to the flag and peoples of Morocco, I don't believe that the pentagram had acquired its heavy-metal connotations at the time of their flag design, 1915. This design, although hard on the red/green colorblind, is surprisingly distinctive -- I can't think of another open star out sides of Israel's off the bat, and that one is six-sided.<br />
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<b>Grade: B</b><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Mozambique</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_bpnK301DArDGoXsyIsRZbh53ECJ8GVjlBKrSZcT2JL244smIZtGsbYO-6cfz_frLCBd_b-a09vEBKW3y1wc9Sad-LhxOKFu3B3WcYgm1EY1dbJnc18qLlDdPj5If-KpscHPNDlRKBzk/s1600/Mozambique1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_bpnK301DArDGoXsyIsRZbh53ECJ8GVjlBKrSZcT2JL244smIZtGsbYO-6cfz_frLCBd_b-a09vEBKW3y1wc9Sad-LhxOKFu3B3WcYgm1EY1dbJnc18qLlDdPj5If-KpscHPNDlRKBzk/s400/Mozambique1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>Parsons: </strong>Dr. Parsons is not a fan. "Automatic weapons on a flag are especially bad," he says. Appears to have been designed by a committee all of whom had stupid ideas for pictures of extra things to put on the flag. With "weapons" and "graven images" and being "too busy," it gets a "D-", 37/100.<br />
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<strong>Michael5000: </strong>Well, Mozambique has not had an easy road, and if I'd been part of the Portuguese colonial empire until the 1970s I might be inclined to put an automatic weapon on my flag too. That being said, it true that it doesn't send a really upbeat message. Parsons is moreover joined by the parliamentary opposition in Mozambique, who object not only to the bad vibes of the machine gun but also to the national flag consisting of the symbols of the ruling party. And yes, the stack of AK-47, hoe, book, and star really is a pretty busy business. <br />
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I like the white stripelets, though, and it doesn't look half bad on a flagpole:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiX_pSI64XFlxPj7xoyWXOAD4BxL566d76bjO8Jm0xjpLuph6Ez2qShMOgtF7DL6RxMwuCv09LCd1RHy3VqK5oxuxrr0gDvd22K2tlblaGwQXsuK5Xz2n6TULhFY2cycwoMRsn5ytl4bM/s1600/Mozambique.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiX_pSI64XFlxPj7xoyWXOAD4BxL566d76bjO8Jm0xjpLuph6Ez2qShMOgtF7DL6RxMwuCv09LCd1RHy3VqK5oxuxrr0gDvd22K2tlblaGwQXsuK5Xz2n6TULhFY2cycwoMRsn5ytl4bM/s400/Mozambique.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Let's give it a:<br />
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<div><b>Grade: B</b><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-54569812931469949372011-03-31T06:20:00.001-04:002011-03-31T06:20:00.380-04:00March Madness: THE NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!Well, it's been a month of thrilling victories and agonizing defeats on the long road from from the regional openers through the sweet sixteen and the final four to our final matchup between upstart 47th state New Mexico and old-school colonial Maryland; between the fifth-largest state in the union and the state with the fifth largest population density. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iemKIdQYnmpWmSpezo-LSUP8fZDpkLcwZ-YTFahvQ9krp4d5gQf-WrBRwWAJZJT1p-tK13mEzGQehvlMROiIBaVGJdfa6C1dl_Jw3j6ApG5-pwtraMqE6PQOkkJMBA9m6EYi9fl_F189/s1600/The+Showdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iemKIdQYnmpWmSpezo-LSUP8fZDpkLcwZ-YTFahvQ9krp4d5gQf-WrBRwWAJZJT1p-tK13mEzGQehvlMROiIBaVGJdfa6C1dl_Jw3j6ApG5-pwtraMqE6PQOkkJMBA9m6EYi9fl_F189/s640/The+Showdown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And for this round only, I'll do something I haven't done in all the rest of the tournament. I'll vote myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo6FrRWB5x5IpR5UiWF8iSaegLQSWPFg6Ky4sseeFLZjLtlqXfslDaoQcMOghqTEUo4s2YWYU5ZyN_Sd6MB7IRr0HB303OpBItqtZY9497nQhnUAdPomNE6y0VpFu3OJilQewnLMfU2sh/s1600/South_Carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo6FrRWB5x5IpR5UiWF8iSaegLQSWPFg6Ky4sseeFLZjLtlqXfslDaoQcMOghqTEUo4s2YWYU5ZyN_Sd6MB7IRr0HB303OpBItqtZY9497nQhnUAdPomNE6y0VpFu3OJilQewnLMfU2sh/s200/South_Carolina.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
So here's my vote for the best flag of the U.S. States and Territories!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>South Carolina</b></span><br />
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Unfortunately, all y'all didn't even let it into the Elite Eight, so I guess I'll do like everybody else and cast my vote from the choices I have available.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">M</span>a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">r</span>y<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">l</span>a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">n</span>d<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">!</span></b></span><br />
<br />
But that's just my vote! <br />
<br />
So, with no further ado....<br />
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the winner of the March Madness U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament is......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSXWY8lKG1Z4bUw_dHwWGQmOE9ZErrde_LChRPkW8-kTU5R5RjOSA6658_eByIO8mlfWfAig7Kicw6ytLoU0rldJUkYa0D6ghN0mphbljTvm4Bgsqa4-XyRsIrYn-CY6hwwioxLLyuDoG/s1600/New+Mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSXWY8lKG1Z4bUw_dHwWGQmOE9ZErrde_LChRPkW8-kTU5R5RjOSA6658_eByIO8mlfWfAig7Kicw6ytLoU0rldJUkYa0D6ghN0mphbljTvm4Bgsqa4-XyRsIrYn-CY6hwwioxLLyuDoG/s640/New+Mexico.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">New Mexico defeats Maryland, 21 - 13!!!</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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Congratulations to the good folks of New Mexico and thanks to everybody who played along with my goofy little project. Here's one last look at the bracket. Hope you had a great March!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIGCKT4UTJhSKpQz3QgFCwGkufFQFG5QTAfQpFm_jIX0h2Hz9WvZsXXVqgVlAPiJQQJpqEUJeu4GZFIhjFXAHBedj6NGRAaPeOuoll1ZxayETonyAa_1Q6nhuad1w6Y3RPK_WcBsIAYob/s1600/Final+Bracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIGCKT4UTJhSKpQz3QgFCwGkufFQFG5QTAfQpFm_jIX0h2Hz9WvZsXXVqgVlAPiJQQJpqEUJeu4GZFIhjFXAHBedj6NGRAaPeOuoll1ZxayETonyAa_1Q6nhuad1w6Y3RPK_WcBsIAYob/s640/Final+Bracket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-28523439265679475372011-03-28T04:30:00.002-04:002011-03-28T04:30:00.204-04:00March Madness: The National Championship MatchIt's been a month of flaggy heartbreak as the field of 56 flags of U.S. States and Territories has gradually been winnowed down to two. And today, they go head to head.<br />
<br />
Our contestants for the national title are 1) <b>New Mexico, </b>which took out Ohio easily in the semi-final matchup, 20-5. 2) <b>Maryland</b>, which survived a tough fight against Tennessee to come out on top, 14-11.<br />
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They're bright! They're vivid! And they're going to the mat. <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">Votes will be counted at 6 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, March 30.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #990000;"><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #990000;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">New Mexico</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27hUoQRQ0F3cYS5qCkYJ5oKzJnDFh2SitvmBfy7M_MnIf3xtlM7JZK37YIlT3fe85m6Zo4b81Vd_Vqx6NSKDBzFJ000-QdNNrHz_G7fZzaLGkOkDOKTV4MCgZS44VIuVNXHU9gb4pNWXZ/s1600/New_Mexico_state_flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27hUoQRQ0F3cYS5qCkYJ5oKzJnDFh2SitvmBfy7M_MnIf3xtlM7JZK37YIlT3fe85m6Zo4b81Vd_Vqx6NSKDBzFJ000-QdNNrHz_G7fZzaLGkOkDOKTV4MCgZS44VIuVNXHU9gb4pNWXZ/s640/New_Mexico_state_flag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Maryland</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5s-iCipeWkUsiCIsgrZ2F83jkiUpxaHVK9wFBDG8GevLIaI5k3LEe4dsjN8FjLpVjecfw8gjiesV6g6Qu6ceqj-xv28Pac9-obA6Wy90RswWe0fc3l8SIupebtPgcMWxKJQ8mn1E2eX9/s1600/Maryland-printable-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5s-iCipeWkUsiCIsgrZ2F83jkiUpxaHVK9wFBDG8GevLIaI5k3LEe4dsjN8FjLpVjecfw8gjiesV6g6Qu6ceqj-xv28Pac9-obA6Wy90RswWe0fc3l8SIupebtPgcMWxKJQ8mn1E2eX9/s640/Maryland-printable-flag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<i>Place your votes in the comments!</i><br />
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</span></i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-64233418648349374722011-03-24T03:30:00.003-04:002011-03-24T03:30:01.623-04:00March Madness: National Semifinals<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: National Semifinals</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmF1HVkQI9OtuE6GvGGY8SZ2iZKVwAJMx0Z0AQKu7d5yC-4xcLs4iBimeVHfuxhaRd8ilp9bpsdqBjie56djJOVc7soK2ozkQxrlTVpSHvkNkvNgF67mUWUiLMYSYwVET9WXbUeH7_l6n/s1600/March+Madness+currents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmF1HVkQI9OtuE6GvGGY8SZ2iZKVwAJMx0Z0AQKu7d5yC-4xcLs4iBimeVHfuxhaRd8ilp9bpsdqBjie56djJOVc7soK2ozkQxrlTVpSHvkNkvNgF67mUWUiLMYSYwVET9WXbUeH7_l6n/s200/March+Madness+currents.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Final.</i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>North and West Finals Voting Deadline: 9 a.m. PDT, Sunday, March 27.</b></span></i></span></b></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>North Champion vs. West Champion</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Ohio</b></span> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. New Mexico</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCoRrvomPNQOgHP0nqbhNpazZHXAGf05FuDOiM_MrVLmuaEFTZ015kZFBx4cbFzZnoagBTyuyx1eOzQaX_AlcPzRqwMNY_2BRO54fGiECV2SnZExkeXuItfXbfPdTxlD7zY61D8Yy0lSF/s1600/Ohio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCoRrvomPNQOgHP0nqbhNpazZHXAGf05FuDOiM_MrVLmuaEFTZ015kZFBx4cbFzZnoagBTyuyx1eOzQaX_AlcPzRqwMNY_2BRO54fGiECV2SnZExkeXuItfXbfPdTxlD7zY61D8Yy0lSF/s400/Ohio2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohio</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH3VwShSMlPKf5AuEipGIOlnWE-QRPKEnMnrkfy6PWCqfQyFqy8UCEMg85-jWMjWvgfWWVN87-1tvcSluHfKkkSTL2qRe6Dign8a9fRebGFSpvTxtW0MAcbq9ooTQyFqnwUPlSrjJJJCV/s1600/New+Mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH3VwShSMlPKf5AuEipGIOlnWE-QRPKEnMnrkfy6PWCqfQyFqy8UCEMg85-jWMjWvgfWWVN87-1tvcSluHfKkkSTL2qRe6Dign8a9fRebGFSpvTxtW0MAcbq9ooTQyFqnwUPlSrjJJJCV/s400/New+Mexico.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>East Champion vs. South Champion</b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maryland vs. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tennessee</b></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB31TvSTpqvTc-Yk2unygpaiZWlzfi7-fd0xXjOkW8JFy3p_fknMAc3bv8P9qJ5Wof50tDmljSOMJWU98LIV1bIr0F6BTSHQCm3ZqFXt0S3yhJVjWnL0APGyASlRcqTtxfRG7YJOTPRgm/s1600/maryland_flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB31TvSTpqvTc-Yk2unygpaiZWlzfi7-fd0xXjOkW8JFy3p_fknMAc3bv8P9qJ5Wof50tDmljSOMJWU98LIV1bIr0F6BTSHQCm3ZqFXt0S3yhJVjWnL0APGyASlRcqTtxfRG7YJOTPRgm/s400/maryland_flag1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryland</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s1600/Tennessee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s400/Tennessee+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-80152439425008177942011-03-24T00:29:00.002-04:002011-03-24T00:29:36.069-04:00The Final Four Verbiage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OrRrWqYw7iH4EdnQYk2WjO_95j07D4qeEgcRZdnxg0Xw1NodrQI3UfaZQBACPCm_47YWdIq7QlVkiZue3B1RaVZcqWZ5TcfLhQOYtXHPfBFMbJSPZyIgbxsYNodTcXoRdr3_QiO3Uim_/s1600/March+Madness+currents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OrRrWqYw7iH4EdnQYk2WjO_95j07D4qeEgcRZdnxg0Xw1NodrQI3UfaZQBACPCm_47YWdIq7QlVkiZue3B1RaVZcqWZ5TcfLhQOYtXHPfBFMbJSPZyIgbxsYNodTcXoRdr3_QiO3Uim_/s640/March+Madness+currents.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>...and then there were four, as the 2011 tournament winds down to its final few games. Upsets abounded in the regional finals, all of which were highly competitive among <i>L&TM5K </i>voters but decided but near unanimity among Vexillophiliacs. The only #1 seed still standing is Maryland, which knocked down the District of Columbia 17-10; Maryland will take on #5 seed Tennessee, which upset #2 Puerto Rico by the same score.<br />
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In both the North and West, #1 seeds fell to #2, with New Mexico besting Alaska 18-8 and Ohio topping Wyoming 17-9. Tennessee is the only fly still flying, however, which was playing on opening day; New Mexico, Ohio, and Maryland all entered the tournament with a bye-week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-39247824488643928362011-03-22T04:30:00.000-04:002011-03-22T04:30:02.409-04:00March Madness: North and West Finals!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: North and West Finals!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCanMf0l9EM9b767-4L2z5MjdKPBV-7yKeUjPXy_NMnOMMVWtSP_EbJBv60uYTcjLhzRySXhUfZn7FShRllbXcuqBWpOtlzs4kXE66ShCoSPE4iKiGulG9Tva1HkZVP9UI8Lj5jDMQyFts/s1600/March+Madness+currents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCanMf0l9EM9b767-4L2z5MjdKPBV-7yKeUjPXy_NMnOMMVWtSP_EbJBv60uYTcjLhzRySXhUfZn7FShRllbXcuqBWpOtlzs4kXE66ShCoSPE4iKiGulG9Tva1HkZVP9UI8Lj5jDMQyFts/s200/March+Madness+currents.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Final.</i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>North and West Finals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, TOMMOROW, Wednesday, March 23.</b></span></i></span></b></span></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><b></b></i></span>South and East Finals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">TODAY</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Tuesday, March 22.</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>North Final</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wyoming <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>vs. Ohio</b></span> </span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaAGceTPPR5AqE65hAKPD_CbIl2uBb9TMAUIR1uEIrSoRIemW_aJx5Ke_SVXWRFJb2dE4URbEWxohtyITNI-mwpy4Drji2PTIukgudSkIAB2LOX6NF3MMfFecK-5yO_klXsf06Tplc_vG/s1600/Wyoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaAGceTPPR5AqE65hAKPD_CbIl2uBb9TMAUIR1uEIrSoRIemW_aJx5Ke_SVXWRFJb2dE4URbEWxohtyITNI-mwpy4Drji2PTIukgudSkIAB2LOX6NF3MMfFecK-5yO_klXsf06Tplc_vG/s400/Wyoming.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wyoming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCoRrvomPNQOgHP0nqbhNpazZHXAGf05FuDOiM_MrVLmuaEFTZ015kZFBx4cbFzZnoagBTyuyx1eOzQaX_AlcPzRqwMNY_2BRO54fGiECV2SnZExkeXuItfXbfPdTxlD7zY61D8Yy0lSF/s1600/Ohio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCoRrvomPNQOgHP0nqbhNpazZHXAGf05FuDOiM_MrVLmuaEFTZ015kZFBx4cbFzZnoagBTyuyx1eOzQaX_AlcPzRqwMNY_2BRO54fGiECV2SnZExkeXuItfXbfPdTxlD7zY61D8Yy0lSF/s400/Ohio2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohio</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;"><b>West Final</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Alaska </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. New Mexico</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlFOlphwNqmthnvLutlZxU9vMxUcOnrgR4g7zI7KkY6LAm3v5_PGXgQKzZkyMNPRtyzv-Bm_JNdBJZgakorB7-exH3bsfam7yG_ewiM7B7kfduPPl-GAT6jhjBlqQP9pK60787Y6xoGRb/s1600/Alaska2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlFOlphwNqmthnvLutlZxU9vMxUcOnrgR4g7zI7KkY6LAm3v5_PGXgQKzZkyMNPRtyzv-Bm_JNdBJZgakorB7-exH3bsfam7yG_ewiM7B7kfduPPl-GAT6jhjBlqQP9pK60787Y6xoGRb/s400/Alaska2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH3VwShSMlPKf5AuEipGIOlnWE-QRPKEnMnrkfy6PWCqfQyFqy8UCEMg85-jWMjWvgfWWVN87-1tvcSluHfKkkSTL2qRe6Dign8a9fRebGFSpvTxtW0MAcbq9ooTQyFqnwUPlSrjJJJCV/s1600/New+Mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH3VwShSMlPKf5AuEipGIOlnWE-QRPKEnMnrkfy6PWCqfQyFqy8UCEMg85-jWMjWvgfWWVN87-1tvcSluHfKkkSTL2qRe6Dign8a9fRebGFSpvTxtW0MAcbq9ooTQyFqnwUPlSrjJJJCV/s400/New+Mexico.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-53756557313632121302011-03-21T12:19:00.001-04:002011-03-21T12:20:08.594-04:00Then Everything Changed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwHHZ2aJbvUSs1GA2eK-vOT_rCUdGCFHE2IYkfcXr9c1km7nkj5ZGrLURHTGsQQq5feaQ1v-qLoeu5oek_tjGZnKlusZEEU8obYE8QNrRLaVAQdWPS7uSf7YOmnxdFGUsyehUPhp-WBC-/s1600/51BGhbBlxZL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwHHZ2aJbvUSs1GA2eK-vOT_rCUdGCFHE2IYkfcXr9c1km7nkj5ZGrLURHTGsQQq5feaQ1v-qLoeu5oek_tjGZnKlusZEEU8obYE8QNrRLaVAQdWPS7uSf7YOmnxdFGUsyehUPhp-WBC-/s400/51BGhbBlxZL.jpg" /></a></div>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 <a href="http://uchronia.net/" target="_blank">Uchronia</a>.<br />
<br />
I am currently reading <a href="http://uchronia.net/bib.cgi/label.html?id=greethenev" target="_blank"><i>Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternate Histories of American Politics: JFK, RFK, Carter, Ford, Reagan</i></a>, 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 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/books/01book.html" target="_blank"><i>New York Times</i> review</a>.<br />
<br />
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.Cartophiliachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380642357785275377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-79733996603458583102011-03-21T04:30:00.002-04:002011-03-21T04:30:01.320-04:00March Madness: South and East Finals!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: South and East Finals!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsG5-BBA3Wr57wiULt3Ow-Bo5xmUeDxdYrvdFa2WCB02s-1TcaIt4SbKW0gxUKx854SxCxdPAOZ4T7ZQA5y4C3jW14WoMufe24nOB_cg6-TzwuRj8xRggncA7KhcoTajsG8iDUQMvrrei/s1600/March+Madness+currents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsG5-BBA3Wr57wiULt3Ow-Bo5xmUeDxdYrvdFa2WCB02s-1TcaIt4SbKW0gxUKx854SxCxdPAOZ4T7ZQA5y4C3jW14WoMufe24nOB_cg6-TzwuRj8xRggncA7KhcoTajsG8iDUQMvrrei/s200/March+Madness+currents.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Final Four.</i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>South and East Finals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 22.</b></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>East Final</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maryland vs. </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">District of Columbia</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB31TvSTpqvTc-Yk2unygpaiZWlzfi7-fd0xXjOkW8JFy3p_fknMAc3bv8P9qJ5Wof50tDmljSOMJWU98LIV1bIr0F6BTSHQCm3ZqFXt0S3yhJVjWnL0APGyASlRcqTtxfRG7YJOTPRgm/s1600/maryland_flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB31TvSTpqvTc-Yk2unygpaiZWlzfi7-fd0xXjOkW8JFy3p_fknMAc3bv8P9qJ5Wof50tDmljSOMJWU98LIV1bIr0F6BTSHQCm3ZqFXt0S3yhJVjWnL0APGyASlRcqTtxfRG7YJOTPRgm/s400/maryland_flag1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryland</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSwL2jnBQhmmUXHmQZuFlIo4HPSYOUOQ3mLP5cinGFTqpIyP4EJp6pVjDMVRtQcUZ647URoxa6FUtij3VDRfHECLa6qkme5-Le6EiPl6N-jBdEjWsfRQQOsE2uY6p0KUnJUtRzLWPqNox/s1600/DC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSwL2jnBQhmmUXHmQZuFlIo4HPSYOUOQ3mLP5cinGFTqpIyP4EJp6pVjDMVRtQcUZ647URoxa6FUtij3VDRfHECLa6qkme5-Le6EiPl6N-jBdEjWsfRQQOsE2uY6p0KUnJUtRzLWPqNox/s400/DC2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">District of Columbia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;"><b>South Final</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tennessee </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. Puerto Rico</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s1600/Tennessee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s400/Tennessee+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4I1mMt-3OsdYzvqrZe0XV9oae_EUJHBi9eUzE6ssqkOZC2uj0I59ATAuF6LzYsSQhx_D4oKu11SDf3cYuqD3LpHTZB5NNhOhV_jcxP7D8oNl7zlxGyJJS80AeRE3fP_0YL5r5Kv7EMFP/s1600/Puerto+Rico.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4I1mMt-3OsdYzvqrZe0XV9oae_EUJHBi9eUzE6ssqkOZC2uj0I59ATAuF6LzYsSQhx_D4oKu11SDf3cYuqD3LpHTZB5NNhOhV_jcxP7D8oNl7zlxGyJJS80AeRE3fP_0YL5r5Kv7EMFP/s400/Puerto+Rico.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puerto Rico</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-81765236955235559072011-03-21T00:03:00.000-04:002011-03-21T00:03:13.921-04:00March Madness Semifinal Results!<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">East</span></b><br />
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#1 Maryland 19, #4 Massachusetts 5<br />
#3 D.C. 18, #2 Rhode Island 6<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>South</b></span><br />
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#5 Tennessee 13, #1 South Carolina 11 (Upset!!)<br />
#2 Puerto Rico 19, #3 Texas 5<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>North</b></span><br />
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#1 Wyoming 19, #5 Iowa 7<br />
#2 Ohio 15, #3 Indiana 11<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>West</b></span><br />
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#1 Alaska 16, #4 Hawaii 10<br />
#2 New Mexico 20, #3 Arizona 5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-78685565062965827892011-03-18T04:30:00.004-04:002011-03-18T04:30:01.524-04:00March Madness: North and West Semifinals<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: North and West Semifinals!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21g65hsNmtoLe7JR0OqyYqLCy92THNrdBpYWRQocYnJ-1EyAdeah-ALGQnvRu8lIndZ6MoOhXzCo-t875G0Fwjb0YgKJNrot9vt2sTGBOrMSlYRVIN7AkyuGwb2WQhXPkC8olw3EHF52i/s1600/March+Madness+after+East1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21g65hsNmtoLe7JR0OqyYqLCy92THNrdBpYWRQocYnJ-1EyAdeah-ALGQnvRu8lIndZ6MoOhXzCo-t875G0Fwjb0YgKJNrot9vt2sTGBOrMSlYRVIN7AkyuGwb2WQhXPkC8olw3EHF52i/s200/March+Madness+after+East1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.</i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>North and West Semifinals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Sunday, March 20.</b></span></i></span></b></span></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><b></b></i></span>South and East Semifinals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Saturday, March 19.</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>North</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wyoming vs. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Iowa</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaAGceTPPR5AqE65hAKPD_CbIl2uBb9TMAUIR1uEIrSoRIemW_aJx5Ke_SVXWRFJb2dE4URbEWxohtyITNI-mwpy4Drji2PTIukgudSkIAB2LOX6NF3MMfFecK-5yO_klXsf06Tplc_vG/s1600/Wyoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaAGceTPPR5AqE65hAKPD_CbIl2uBb9TMAUIR1uEIrSoRIemW_aJx5Ke_SVXWRFJb2dE4URbEWxohtyITNI-mwpy4Drji2PTIukgudSkIAB2LOX6NF3MMfFecK-5yO_klXsf06Tplc_vG/s400/Wyoming.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wyoming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkYEQClGUX2OmnQZtHZj3yIPXG6oaKkDeeP6hXmTWZsTRovBC_3XmkRNQamD_dvmxff2-JzlYbaBBB5sv1FTsMMHpQ1ii69xqfLzKpxODSEwmR1QW9CLRdL2Ncx5tBAxwNiHjWyrKx7DQ/s1600/Iowa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkYEQClGUX2OmnQZtHZj3yIPXG6oaKkDeeP6hXmTWZsTRovBC_3XmkRNQamD_dvmxff2-JzlYbaBBB5sv1FTsMMHpQ1ii69xqfLzKpxODSEwmR1QW9CLRdL2Ncx5tBAxwNiHjWyrKx7DQ/s400/Iowa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Indiana </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. Ohio</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsqQT9AxtcqFVNzHOpf9VFVK_mDDQK6uxycpxTiot1Bwdi7732gVPEn5rGSJ6VFkBiHUKoA1H8xNntxf0ba_8tJesYPcfMcrLDKJK7RgD_uvkVq68mzHtKRdCqleFjgEPkEqbe-62rGCq/s1600/Indiana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsqQT9AxtcqFVNzHOpf9VFVK_mDDQK6uxycpxTiot1Bwdi7732gVPEn5rGSJ6VFkBiHUKoA1H8xNntxf0ba_8tJesYPcfMcrLDKJK7RgD_uvkVq68mzHtKRdCqleFjgEPkEqbe-62rGCq/s400/Indiana.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indiana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCoRrvomPNQOgHP0nqbhNpazZHXAGf05FuDOiM_MrVLmuaEFTZ015kZFBx4cbFzZnoagBTyuyx1eOzQaX_AlcPzRqwMNY_2BRO54fGiECV2SnZExkeXuItfXbfPdTxlD7zY61D8Yy0lSF/s1600/Ohio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCoRrvomPNQOgHP0nqbhNpazZHXAGf05FuDOiM_MrVLmuaEFTZ015kZFBx4cbFzZnoagBTyuyx1eOzQaX_AlcPzRqwMNY_2BRO54fGiECV2SnZExkeXuItfXbfPdTxlD7zY61D8Yy0lSF/s400/Ohio2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohio</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;"><b>West</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Alaska vs. Hawaii</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlFOlphwNqmthnvLutlZxU9vMxUcOnrgR4g7zI7KkY6LAm3v5_PGXgQKzZkyMNPRtyzv-Bm_JNdBJZgakorB7-exH3bsfam7yG_ewiM7B7kfduPPl-GAT6jhjBlqQP9pK60787Y6xoGRb/s1600/Alaska2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlFOlphwNqmthnvLutlZxU9vMxUcOnrgR4g7zI7KkY6LAm3v5_PGXgQKzZkyMNPRtyzv-Bm_JNdBJZgakorB7-exH3bsfam7yG_ewiM7B7kfduPPl-GAT6jhjBlqQP9pK60787Y6xoGRb/s400/Alaska2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5egVNfVK2LWX3ztgza1cqgXxrVft4hCrDuTaCC7mLjMZ3aJMXFAF1KeXGkLmGzG5i0oVwjHXSS0PxvNuEnon5pKBswfKrT5vJ9Kdmuko8qPomG_Zik82bnlX-oa3L8xLNIv2I_xf0BlDA/s1600/hawaii-flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5egVNfVK2LWX3ztgza1cqgXxrVft4hCrDuTaCC7mLjMZ3aJMXFAF1KeXGkLmGzG5i0oVwjHXSS0PxvNuEnon5pKBswfKrT5vJ9Kdmuko8qPomG_Zik82bnlX-oa3L8xLNIv2I_xf0BlDA/s400/hawaii-flying.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaii</td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arizona </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. New Mexico</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzstlFoEEdh-SiwyXLdz8IPqpRGCHtULIDQEroArcbZem9mtB069rIcs2eRJbZOyS4FhJckKHsp6Xi5xijyo1TcwLFqC3CpfONcmNERj9d01kIz-BwEy4ggd7LTPShCMq49FAIWGuAxIj/s1600/Arizona1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzstlFoEEdh-SiwyXLdz8IPqpRGCHtULIDQEroArcbZem9mtB069rIcs2eRJbZOyS4FhJckKHsp6Xi5xijyo1TcwLFqC3CpfONcmNERj9d01kIz-BwEy4ggd7LTPShCMq49FAIWGuAxIj/s400/Arizona1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH3VwShSMlPKf5AuEipGIOlnWE-QRPKEnMnrkfy6PWCqfQyFqy8UCEMg85-jWMjWvgfWWVN87-1tvcSluHfKkkSTL2qRe6Dign8a9fRebGFSpvTxtW0MAcbq9ooTQyFqnwUPlSrjJJJCV/s1600/New+Mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH3VwShSMlPKf5AuEipGIOlnWE-QRPKEnMnrkfy6PWCqfQyFqy8UCEMg85-jWMjWvgfWWVN87-1tvcSluHfKkkSTL2qRe6Dign8a9fRebGFSpvTxtW0MAcbq9ooTQyFqnwUPlSrjJJJCV/s400/New+Mexico.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico</td></tr>
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<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-84609880397052825832011-03-17T04:00:00.002-04:002011-03-17T04:00:08.605-04:00March Madness: South and East Semifinals<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: South and East Semifinals!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21g65hsNmtoLe7JR0OqyYqLCy92THNrdBpYWRQocYnJ-1EyAdeah-ALGQnvRu8lIndZ6MoOhXzCo-t875G0Fwjb0YgKJNrot9vt2sTGBOrMSlYRVIN7AkyuGwb2WQhXPkC8olw3EHF52i/s1600/March+Madness+after+East1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21g65hsNmtoLe7JR0OqyYqLCy92THNrdBpYWRQocYnJ-1EyAdeah-ALGQnvRu8lIndZ6MoOhXzCo-t875G0Fwjb0YgKJNrot9vt2sTGBOrMSlYRVIN7AkyuGwb2WQhXPkC8olw3EHF52i/s200/March+Madness+after+East1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.</i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>South and East Semifinals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Saturday, March 19.</b></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>East</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maryland vs. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Massachusetts</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB31TvSTpqvTc-Yk2unygpaiZWlzfi7-fd0xXjOkW8JFy3p_fknMAc3bv8P9qJ5Wof50tDmljSOMJWU98LIV1bIr0F6BTSHQCm3ZqFXt0S3yhJVjWnL0APGyASlRcqTtxfRG7YJOTPRgm/s1600/maryland_flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB31TvSTpqvTc-Yk2unygpaiZWlzfi7-fd0xXjOkW8JFy3p_fknMAc3bv8P9qJ5Wof50tDmljSOMJWU98LIV1bIr0F6BTSHQCm3ZqFXt0S3yhJVjWnL0APGyASlRcqTtxfRG7YJOTPRgm/s400/maryland_flag1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpP_pTKqbF-10vXlf4v1hX3alMHE_n0dnupva8GP6TDgzZZLUxL8RWErzxSAH88mrIC4y3pzBfXyBk68QRW4iMMaDxZ1eW3FE1EV5rNjbGeptIH5CRe69K6LWy5JUJttzWLV1ZlYUEQTP/s1600/Mass+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpP_pTKqbF-10vXlf4v1hX3alMHE_n0dnupva8GP6TDgzZZLUxL8RWErzxSAH88mrIC4y3pzBfXyBk68QRW4iMMaDxZ1eW3FE1EV5rNjbGeptIH5CRe69K6LWy5JUJttzWLV1ZlYUEQTP/s400/Mass+flag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massachusetts</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">District of Columbia </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. Rhode Island</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSwL2jnBQhmmUXHmQZuFlIo4HPSYOUOQ3mLP5cinGFTqpIyP4EJp6pVjDMVRtQcUZ647URoxa6FUtij3VDRfHECLa6qkme5-Le6EiPl6N-jBdEjWsfRQQOsE2uY6p0KUnJUtRzLWPqNox/s1600/DC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSwL2jnBQhmmUXHmQZuFlIo4HPSYOUOQ3mLP5cinGFTqpIyP4EJp6pVjDMVRtQcUZ647URoxa6FUtij3VDRfHECLa6qkme5-Le6EiPl6N-jBdEjWsfRQQOsE2uY6p0KUnJUtRzLWPqNox/s400/DC2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">District of Columbia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVeoml90fLEs5ql03ojHjLo_pZ2uEvCsb-cTmdJQqwJK1JUXSjGlU7donMohm_NU-bq1-PBHn8cPJbRoMwaXDl5ePrsMg7UPhZkBCCgl1tf3HVPQxcHh1UZIK6FME_KyK-gLojOO1zKJ5/s1600/Rhode_Island_svg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVeoml90fLEs5ql03ojHjLo_pZ2uEvCsb-cTmdJQqwJK1JUXSjGlU7donMohm_NU-bq1-PBHn8cPJbRoMwaXDl5ePrsMg7UPhZkBCCgl1tf3HVPQxcHh1UZIK6FME_KyK-gLojOO1zKJ5/s400/Rhode_Island_svg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhode Island</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;"><b>South</b></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">South Carolina vs. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tennessee</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgXvKdC8cCgTj47kO_pOUDlfrRAu8bR1D4rp4nShW6byEj5Rc-e_WTF2CNHjiEwMmbAQV8fuJAnlXQI48PhpzMZC9NqyXFUi3Le0SmkKehpOtGmR-kYE0bW9Os_virPJMjkq8wLFJ0sOo/s1600/South_Carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgXvKdC8cCgTj47kO_pOUDlfrRAu8bR1D4rp4nShW6byEj5Rc-e_WTF2CNHjiEwMmbAQV8fuJAnlXQI48PhpzMZC9NqyXFUi3Le0SmkKehpOtGmR-kYE0bW9Os_virPJMjkq8wLFJ0sOo/s400/South_Carolina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Carolina</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s1600/Tennessee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s400/Tennessee+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee</td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Texas </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>vs. Puerto Rico</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiyPb6s3uXUEiDkGHS5C1VdPOXQEeekj9ejKF46PXCzf9Co9-KQNT-NZ-Op8wHKlGisSmefxxcsC-Z8Go91NOKn1LdztrtDoJuaenCeNDu6FmhIfPS6uxBRL67_makLZWDOKYEjnOOVcQ/s1600/texas-flag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiyPb6s3uXUEiDkGHS5C1VdPOXQEeekj9ejKF46PXCzf9Co9-KQNT-NZ-Op8wHKlGisSmefxxcsC-Z8Go91NOKn1LdztrtDoJuaenCeNDu6FmhIfPS6uxBRL67_makLZWDOKYEjnOOVcQ/s400/texas-flag2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4I1mMt-3OsdYzvqrZe0XV9oae_EUJHBi9eUzE6ssqkOZC2uj0I59ATAuF6LzYsSQhx_D4oKu11SDf3cYuqD3LpHTZB5NNhOhV_jcxP7D8oNl7zlxGyJJS80AeRE3fP_0YL5r5Kv7EMFP/s1600/Puerto+Rico.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4I1mMt-3OsdYzvqrZe0XV9oae_EUJHBi9eUzE6ssqkOZC2uj0I59ATAuF6LzYsSQhx_D4oKu11SDf3cYuqD3LpHTZB5NNhOhV_jcxP7D8oNl7zlxGyJJS80AeRE3fP_0YL5r5Kv7EMFP/s400/Puerto+Rico.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puerto Rico</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-15253547637804781272011-03-15T01:04:00.000-04:002011-03-15T01:04:25.489-04:00March Madness: North and West Second Round Results<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>NORTH</b></span><br />
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Second round drubbings continued in the North and West divisions, with only the contests between fourth and fifth seeds conjuring up anything like suspense. Third seed Indiana led the onslaught against hapless Nebraska with a punishing 25-1 score. First seed Wyoming's 24-2 rout of Michigan and Ohio's 22-4 runup on Montana represent a combined referendum of 71-7 against the last three seal-on-blue flags left in the tourney.<br />
<br />
Missouri's bears stayed within reach of Iowa's eagle, but could never quite close the margin; the fourth-seed horizontal tricolor state eventually fell to the Hawkeye State, 15-11.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>WEST</b></span><br />
<br />
The first and second seeds in the powerful West division announced their presence with authority, with #1 Alaska trampling on the Northern Marianas 25-1 and #2 New Mexico mounting a decisive 21-5 victory over popular California; by all appearences, California's flag is the first that a large number of voters feel genuinely sorry to see leaving the contest.<br />
<br />
Things were a little more interesting in the middle rungs, where sixth seed Colorado kept it respectable, garnering nine votes to put up against Arizona's seventeen. Washington and Hawaii, meanwhile, were too close to call until the final bell; when the smoke cleared, Hawaii's banner emerged on top, 15-11. The West semifinals will therefore feature contests among the four most recent states to join the American union -- although not by any means, however, the four most recent flag designs. Action resumes Thursday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-19041184544184478122011-03-14T04:30:00.002-04:002011-03-15T01:11:46.396-04:00March Madness: The Sweet Sixteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8abDxIOu64fkyu1NerpX7MZuIfdd8rkE2E8bsgto5GV4Y6eE99UQ5O1RlIVSaRwkBMSK77ySJMKTqjF_yQlqOaMwltzCmYViWHdR1GxqpE0UszJ2A8q9mTkP_0OAd_Xa68YoLefIGJwo/s1600/March+Madness+after+East1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8abDxIOu64fkyu1NerpX7MZuIfdd8rkE2E8bsgto5GV4Y6eE99UQ5O1RlIVSaRwkBMSK77ySJMKTqjF_yQlqOaMwltzCmYViWHdR1GxqpE0UszJ2A8q9mTkP_0OAd_Xa68YoLefIGJwo/s640/March+Madness+after+East1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Sweet Sixteen is now in place. <br />
<br />
As a number of people have pointed out, this has not been a tournament for drama thus far. What is a ball without a Cinderella story? And yet no flag with deeper than a fifth seed has survived the first two rounds. To a certain, very limited extent, this is due to the vagaries of the brackets and the seeding order, both determined (were you wondering?) in a highly informal process as I was relaxing on the couch on Christmas afternoon. <br />
<br />
Much more so, it is because most of the flags of the American states and territories, to a greater or lesser extent, stink. All we have really done so far is winnow out the worst of the batch. There are a few possible exceptions: a flag I like better than y'all do (Louisiana) and one y'all might have liked a whole lot better than I do (American Samoa); at least one pretty good one that got squeezed out (Cal) and at least one that is in, but very likely doomed (but I would not want to openly predict the vote).<br />
<br />
We're left with sixteen contenders, and my guess is that we'll start to see closer votes and tougher choices. After all: there can only be four regional champions, and only one winner overall. Semifinals for East and South will open simultaneously on Thursday; semifinals for West and North will open on Friday. <i>L&TM5K</i> readers can "enjoy" a short burst of more conventional content; Vexillophiliacs can stay up late Monday to see who will come out on top in the Hawaii/Washington showdown. <br />
<br />
Happy Daylight Savings Time in participating locations!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-13263120567190417432011-03-13T16:16:00.000-04:002011-03-13T16:16:12.396-04:00March Madness: East and South Second-Round Results<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>West Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</b></span></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><i><b> PDT</b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>, Monday, March 14.</b></span></i></i></b></span></span></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>North Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</b></span></i></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><i><b> PDT</b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">TONIGHT, Sunday, March 13.</span></b></span></i></i></b></span></b></i></i></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div></div></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">EAST</span></b><br />
<br />
The top four seeded flags in the East division galloped into the Sweet Sixteen over the course of the week, with three outright routs. Maryland found more love than hate, beating up on New Hampshire 25-6, while favorites Rhode Island and DC each ran up a score of 27-4 against Connecticut and Virginia, respectively. The only real contest was in 5th-seed Delaware's contest with 4th-seed Mass, with the Bay State coming out on top by a slim 17-14 margin.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>SOUTH</b></span><br />
<br />
There was even less suspense in the South division, none of the matchups were even close. Third-seed Texas destroyed North Carolina with a unanimous 26-0, setting up another red, white, and blue showdown for second-seed Puerto Rico, which disposed of Arkansas 24-2.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere in the South, third-seed South Carolina beat up on Alabama, 22-4. This sets up an interesting showdown with fifth-seed Tennessee, which blew by the pelicans of Louisiana with a decisive 21-5 vote.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-2949195867523388812011-03-11T04:00:00.000-05:002011-03-11T04:00:00.349-05:00March Madness: West Regional, Round 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: Round Two of the West Regional Division of the U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament!!!</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGd-YFsi5okzO7T6zMVobIBXywusYGyUb7z4mtZp4llJ5JkR9sO_Qlqwvki-Yg7hld1dJUs5bWbCVMHZaAVagD4_y88TZhVYJOMd5htcf9bWR-Yn0s6_frRiVOGCDrjr64ZmZETYh3G7U/s1600/March+Madness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGd-YFsi5okzO7T6zMVobIBXywusYGyUb7z4mtZp4llJ5JkR9sO_Qlqwvki-Yg7hld1dJUs5bWbCVMHZaAVagD4_y88TZhVYJOMd5htcf9bWR-Yn0s6_frRiVOGCDrjr64ZmZETYh3G7U/s200/March+Madness.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Bracket</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.</i></span></i></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i></i></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>West Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</b></span></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b> PDT</b></span></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>, Monday, March 14.</b></span></i></i></b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>North Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</b></span></i></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><i><b> PDT</b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>, Sunday, March 13.</b></span></i></i></b></span></span></b></i></i></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">South Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</span></b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> PST</span></b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">, Sat., March 12.</span></b></i></i></b></span></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #741b47;">East Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PST, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">TONIGHT</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #741b47;"> -- Friday, March 11.</span></b></i></i></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alaska vs. Northern Marianas</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosqIeE7IT5OLJ9bN4dIjMEgsyd7GGWlXNL0VBmfcbLdoI7JtxLKdk51GFSFMqaRp2zumtmd7oVTTa8N2UnkaEhLe142iQopjvr6eL0MkihTx1F8o73FyQs7j9Lau5T9Iz4VUlu-bQDb7B/s1600/Alaska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosqIeE7IT5OLJ9bN4dIjMEgsyd7GGWlXNL0VBmfcbLdoI7JtxLKdk51GFSFMqaRp2zumtmd7oVTTa8N2UnkaEhLe142iQopjvr6eL0MkihTx1F8o73FyQs7j9Lau5T9Iz4VUlu-bQDb7B/s400/Alaska.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKKJmiU8ykIW3BGXutw2XpCWij92JnJKzMDAePyrt6DtMZPYo3v_xRpwB3hAKK-JODkllYLz-zL-wqj96mFAPSbx9oswNex-YYLjnIBV0MH5Jkxgbj02TKWF5MW37Jxq_vDcxZq3S-Nyo/s1600/Northern_Mariana_Islands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKKJmiU8ykIW3BGXutw2XpCWij92JnJKzMDAePyrt6DtMZPYo3v_xRpwB3hAKK-JODkllYLz-zL-wqj96mFAPSbx9oswNex-YYLjnIBV0MH5Jkxgbj02TKWF5MW37Jxq_vDcxZq3S-Nyo/s400/Northern_Mariana_Islands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Marianas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Washington vs. Hawaii</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXLfIeIXoo8gTQhpVx7IwVQj8Uso0AJmj-pJ1485kfha49QoKxEVKuPsTEaDDCtxxreI19bCD_Ac5WNqdPjwtn3W1TxSDH8Hgzflce7gGJic1VhLTx_rUFTQ93yu0Tj9GjRpF6Om92nzv/s1600/Washington+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXLfIeIXoo8gTQhpVx7IwVQj8Uso0AJmj-pJ1485kfha49QoKxEVKuPsTEaDDCtxxreI19bCD_Ac5WNqdPjwtn3W1TxSDH8Hgzflce7gGJic1VhLTx_rUFTQ93yu0Tj9GjRpF6Om92nzv/s400/Washington+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHU_ZjfyXMZn12UKJ8p2946cr8ncNF_dJQJjk1nV0aQY8741wlng8RW06rN8p_Il0RRsKiJDZ-6LPbUl4uuIZ4Ql2rfwW4K3LzCTVVWNq7SBh709UuAXuqRQ-D9hH7sKXCk8ZDdYH-e6h/s1600/hawaii-flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHU_ZjfyXMZn12UKJ8p2946cr8ncNF_dJQJjk1nV0aQY8741wlng8RW06rN8p_Il0RRsKiJDZ-6LPbUl4uuIZ4Ql2rfwW4K3LzCTVVWNq7SBh709UuAXuqRQ-D9hH7sKXCk8ZDdYH-e6h/s400/hawaii-flying.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaii</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arizona vs. Colorado</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIGAqY7aCU2lZzv_0d0TXpgxi9UzEDJsxkAojvaqJ9qqERkUyhWzAXupnLA6C0xqBpfQCc6M0qL469Nc-7gGJ78pOZZYlx94L3etUO-WSL1VOJw5Z0oYhrV40qkODnjooQ-dHhcdOaRTe/s1600/Arizona1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIGAqY7aCU2lZzv_0d0TXpgxi9UzEDJsxkAojvaqJ9qqERkUyhWzAXupnLA6C0xqBpfQCc6M0qL469Nc-7gGJ78pOZZYlx94L3etUO-WSL1VOJw5Z0oYhrV40qkODnjooQ-dHhcdOaRTe/s400/Arizona1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hk9uNvPWExW3mtAjQyPLvHx1EwTtONNEXseeGY5StmxiM1MJPScaGRu3irD_p9uqzP7rPGCzGqnSRbTAdCgl6p5B7aqnbzwM4ELueRWtvKo1Sqy-BVZmXN3mw4qLpXMQuksj2avULpJE/s1600/Colorado1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hk9uNvPWExW3mtAjQyPLvHx1EwTtONNEXseeGY5StmxiM1MJPScaGRu3irD_p9uqzP7rPGCzGqnSRbTAdCgl6p5B7aqnbzwM4ELueRWtvKo1Sqy-BVZmXN3mw4qLpXMQuksj2avULpJE/s400/Colorado1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>California vs. New Mexico</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroPrwMpjNmOtm3xvUuN3DAs-uerd-Y4toyFHjaFnFQD8jXhz1GZx0RkL4cemd3TRspd3iIx0UOQgCKPmFX3XbSAvrRB-tBhKZm0M-J-CigDOG2PEF-MI6OImTPu77pnFVSAUc6E2vXRI0/s1600/California.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroPrwMpjNmOtm3xvUuN3DAs-uerd-Y4toyFHjaFnFQD8jXhz1GZx0RkL4cemd3TRspd3iIx0UOQgCKPmFX3XbSAvrRB-tBhKZm0M-J-CigDOG2PEF-MI6OImTPu77pnFVSAUc6E2vXRI0/s400/California.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaWp3N0mcLIUk-govpoJ9re0jDFNWA72b_5ZE-wxRzJiL0RVoHjVKW_GFc9Ma3mAaTaPtKVVbFUMEQx0TlsxEkSYAgR_3zEMXtdKplZQBkBspYhULuVGEdYyt5tsweEv-u4d607p4Ln4u/s1600/New+Mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaWp3N0mcLIUk-govpoJ9re0jDFNWA72b_5ZE-wxRzJiL0RVoHjVKW_GFc9Ma3mAaTaPtKVVbFUMEQx0TlsxEkSYAgR_3zEMXtdKplZQBkBspYhULuVGEdYyt5tsweEv-u4d607p4Ln4u/s400/New+Mexico.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-10376394491516593392011-03-10T04:00:00.001-05:002011-03-10T04:00:17.585-05:00March Madness: North Regional, Round 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: Round Two of the North Regional Division of the U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament!!!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGd-YFsi5okzO7T6zMVobIBXywusYGyUb7z4mtZp4llJ5JkR9sO_Qlqwvki-Yg7hld1dJUs5bWbCVMHZaAVagD4_y88TZhVYJOMd5htcf9bWR-Yn0s6_frRiVOGCDrjr64ZmZETYh3G7U/s1600/March+Madness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGd-YFsi5okzO7T6zMVobIBXywusYGyUb7z4mtZp4llJ5JkR9sO_Qlqwvki-Yg7hld1dJUs5bWbCVMHZaAVagD4_y88TZhVYJOMd5htcf9bWR-Yn0s6_frRiVOGCDrjr64ZmZETYh3G7U/s200/March+Madness.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bracket</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.</i></span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i></i></b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>North Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</b></span></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b> PDT</b></span></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>, Sunday, March 13.</b></span></i></i></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">South Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m.</span></b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> PST</span></b></i></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">, Sat., March 12.</span></b></i></i></b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">East Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PST, Friday, March 11.</span></b></i></i></b></span></div><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wyoming vs. Michigan </span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA-DWg6Is9lGZbG_afcRQWASpLbhOeVL6xemTSBQMxVVsWYM4wBGIm5q6EJEP5zP5JeOdGY2Km0zVFQy182mYC05SbdvjWWiw4aFm5OKDTap9NNHdUTPPwtyL93AXHiPVjoX5-3ZBs727/s1600/Wyoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA-DWg6Is9lGZbG_afcRQWASpLbhOeVL6xemTSBQMxVVsWYM4wBGIm5q6EJEP5zP5JeOdGY2Km0zVFQy182mYC05SbdvjWWiw4aFm5OKDTap9NNHdUTPPwtyL93AXHiPVjoX5-3ZBs727/s400/Wyoming.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wyoming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzPTagLW4VrtV_VvG1MH37qSvxs4xiCu1VhsVG1psNhzUlN6UZ4j5WBRCMw2Pb9UmWeffYp3wW8SK6TACKtnBZJFFdzaeYlXoMSBTvuYk1ZyS3Zjt9Ly5SWHdAG_8hGqJUvZeMzM7gtHS/s1600/Michigan1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzPTagLW4VrtV_VvG1MH37qSvxs4xiCu1VhsVG1psNhzUlN6UZ4j5WBRCMw2Pb9UmWeffYp3wW8SK6TACKtnBZJFFdzaeYlXoMSBTvuYk1ZyS3Zjt9Ly5SWHdAG_8hGqJUvZeMzM7gtHS/s400/Michigan1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Iowa vs. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Missouri</b></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jYjU0D2zjScPhTd8nn5FwpoUJjcHmyyyk9YQok7QyqJkhM1af52XwUwxRgMN4uLrIwd6FJzWBp-kNyGttKUs3F0cimKZNl1X5x5MWCForFZ4CtOqyt8JAbFIb7lxD7eme15EfovwI_Qu/s1600/Iowa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jYjU0D2zjScPhTd8nn5FwpoUJjcHmyyyk9YQok7QyqJkhM1af52XwUwxRgMN4uLrIwd6FJzWBp-kNyGttKUs3F0cimKZNl1X5x5MWCForFZ4CtOqyt8JAbFIb7lxD7eme15EfovwI_Qu/s400/Iowa2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwXAaLwH44Z8PrRvflxOJHQNcgFF2XABIiqzvwZBRrSmo5TfZh_19Yi_AV1fAdCvaojdhChiSxSjxFv7s9khaK1btFj9fZWh_kHmqrU43EPvS3stqO5HB7_Bk-jTwmtaFXK7eTUSZrGk0/s1600/Missouri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwXAaLwH44Z8PrRvflxOJHQNcgFF2XABIiqzvwZBRrSmo5TfZh_19Yi_AV1fAdCvaojdhChiSxSjxFv7s9khaK1btFj9fZWh_kHmqrU43EPvS3stqO5HB7_Bk-jTwmtaFXK7eTUSZrGk0/s400/Missouri.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missouri</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Indiana vs. </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nebraska</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSX31_1grTjKdUX2C2GC2toPR089VaI0sLL3zMx2N_rPIx1KshhIJD0Bdh4DIQYgtcNt6PHO3QrCtUWzOMJDt9nJ3GWnqxkTv5OtlNAXEBb4h-W12yN7FyqZL5cj9QhiTngoExhXIgZ2w/s1600/Indiana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSX31_1grTjKdUX2C2GC2toPR089VaI0sLL3zMx2N_rPIx1KshhIJD0Bdh4DIQYgtcNt6PHO3QrCtUWzOMJDt9nJ3GWnqxkTv5OtlNAXEBb4h-W12yN7FyqZL5cj9QhiTngoExhXIgZ2w/s400/Indiana2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indiana</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd8IHJbTDtQkwYaFhzb-e3zJANgin-OgoUbsq08pRiltScL_Uj39gxYPGIWmcJjxlqfzWGzTiTCGKSDszHlsk_yZnjGlbfHa_XbFM81rKOr7XKq1X_jlDrz8yorBhADWIa7LfQVkJ7lSJ/s1600/Nebraska3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd8IHJbTDtQkwYaFhzb-e3zJANgin-OgoUbsq08pRiltScL_Uj39gxYPGIWmcJjxlqfzWGzTiTCGKSDszHlsk_yZnjGlbfHa_XbFM81rKOr7XKq1X_jlDrz8yorBhADWIa7LfQVkJ7lSJ/s400/Nebraska3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nebraska</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Montana vs. Ohio</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj4B2Yq9G5Vgno_cbug2IBwkhkWQyJ5I5FrhaMdRkbG9PIfw9IqonIBQ2EstcW9OFhHLb2d-Z_obMtxDK7TOBvO0g9H_Ejz4x01P5CQUfkX7twHNqVFWm_HW2CWQe-1Go_Yh8NJBuEP4L/s1600/Montana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj4B2Yq9G5Vgno_cbug2IBwkhkWQyJ5I5FrhaMdRkbG9PIfw9IqonIBQ2EstcW9OFhHLb2d-Z_obMtxDK7TOBvO0g9H_Ejz4x01P5CQUfkX7twHNqVFWm_HW2CWQe-1Go_Yh8NJBuEP4L/s400/Montana2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW1n4WnAfLCRhWiQRXNJVutgsiHL803qUG5smL4GKgpwws9fDGJZWTUkZuJExgqGFSaRBLfMH9ltvile6wct1w3lqiHI-NLQZhccPcmzkEU_0mJqeeme1XK-bny6T-osGWztihMJs2i4c/s1600/Ohio3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW1n4WnAfLCRhWiQRXNJVutgsiHL803qUG5smL4GKgpwws9fDGJZWTUkZuJExgqGFSaRBLfMH9ltvile6wct1w3lqiHI-NLQZhccPcmzkEU_0mJqeeme1XK-bny6T-osGWztihMJs2i4c/s400/Ohio3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohio</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-84406726045430954512011-03-08T03:30:00.002-05:002011-03-08T03:30:01.900-05:00March Madness: South Regional, Round 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March Madness: Round Two of the South Regional Division of the U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament!!!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGd-YFsi5okzO7T6zMVobIBXywusYGyUb7z4mtZp4llJ5JkR9sO_Qlqwvki-Yg7hld1dJUs5bWbCVMHZaAVagD4_y88TZhVYJOMd5htcf9bWR-Yn0s6_frRiVOGCDrjr64ZmZETYh3G7U/s1600/March+Madness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGd-YFsi5okzO7T6zMVobIBXywusYGyUb7z4mtZp4llJ5JkR9sO_Qlqwvki-Yg7hld1dJUs5bWbCVMHZaAVagD4_y88TZhVYJOMd5htcf9bWR-Yn0s6_frRiVOGCDrjr64ZmZETYh3G7U/s200/March+Madness.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bracket</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite. Explication, derision, and/or analysis -- <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">of the flags, not your fellow voters</span></b> -- will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged. Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.</i></span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>South Regional Voting Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST, Saturday, March 12.</b></span></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">East Regional Voting Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST, Friday, March 11.</span></b></i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">South Carolina vs. Alabama</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgXvKdC8cCgTj47kO_pOUDlfrRAu8bR1D4rp4nShW6byEj5Rc-e_WTF2CNHjiEwMmbAQV8fuJAnlXQI48PhpzMZC9NqyXFUi3Le0SmkKehpOtGmR-kYE0bW9Os_virPJMjkq8wLFJ0sOo/s1600/South_Carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgXvKdC8cCgTj47kO_pOUDlfrRAu8bR1D4rp4nShW6byEj5Rc-e_WTF2CNHjiEwMmbAQV8fuJAnlXQI48PhpzMZC9NqyXFUi3Le0SmkKehpOtGmR-kYE0bW9Os_virPJMjkq8wLFJ0sOo/s400/South_Carolina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Carolina</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xesDKnuAUgc5jBzQKF4eY_PqRh_TcTCiwgKCaOsjGGojbIfv7dK1ei8-e3AHvHBbH1-aSBEGV_I0Ngst_nYuKZS18JnXfBONlT5Vk6yRVwJzP7d3cWVup1IPdw_whWUzl07erhYw1083/s1600/Bama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xesDKnuAUgc5jBzQKF4eY_PqRh_TcTCiwgKCaOsjGGojbIfv7dK1ei8-e3AHvHBbH1-aSBEGV_I0Ngst_nYuKZS18JnXfBONlT5Vk6yRVwJzP7d3cWVup1IPdw_whWUzl07erhYw1083/s400/Bama.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alabama</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tennessee vs. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Louisiana</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s1600/Tennessee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hZ0KGxQfvM4KkEq7-4sZnG2gp7i8isnycsJk60Xo9Aof2cmRkgA19btHTgLX4lRUWaP5HGsj9QXvhi7Lstpf2hKUnjshpI_I-Cfagejui5jiseLarWiMKGXzaN5BSRmQ80XLVpNcJY4e/s400/Tennessee+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa2sUh4I174_7kWC10SK-2z-xo-wwCF8z58Dcw6PPldwPHhZBC1WX6tV_9XXlGxWPqz5ykI1ftAoEtlibEc77sPCwWqIFoBKR_0VtXQCqNMZln6IGcIcVir18mziUYMaz0KGa7GhnZYgU/s1600/Louisiana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa2sUh4I174_7kWC10SK-2z-xo-wwCF8z58Dcw6PPldwPHhZBC1WX6tV_9XXlGxWPqz5ykI1ftAoEtlibEc77sPCwWqIFoBKR_0VtXQCqNMZln6IGcIcVir18mziUYMaz0KGa7GhnZYgU/s400/Louisiana2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louisiana</td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Texas vs. </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">North Carolina</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiyPb6s3uXUEiDkGHS5C1VdPOXQEeekj9ejKF46PXCzf9Co9-KQNT-NZ-Op8wHKlGisSmefxxcsC-Z8Go91NOKn1LdztrtDoJuaenCeNDu6FmhIfPS6uxBRL67_makLZWDOKYEjnOOVcQ/s1600/texas-flag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiyPb6s3uXUEiDkGHS5C1VdPOXQEeekj9ejKF46PXCzf9Co9-KQNT-NZ-Op8wHKlGisSmefxxcsC-Z8Go91NOKn1LdztrtDoJuaenCeNDu6FmhIfPS6uxBRL67_makLZWDOKYEjnOOVcQ/s400/texas-flag2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTeaqpilIiGGqKKwhZRKs1pYydWxcBgd1DxYSESm9iBkrFfDfWDcbcnLfsakhrV-WT7jeG4yLa14lIv5g-3VkPnHtP8WU0dMzAe9A7N7ksPzQuxOulB7fIRPx9a34JWNgJ8jXcBQpdm7I/s1600/North+Carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTeaqpilIiGGqKKwhZRKs1pYydWxcBgd1DxYSESm9iBkrFfDfWDcbcnLfsakhrV-WT7jeG4yLa14lIv5g-3VkPnHtP8WU0dMzAe9A7N7ksPzQuxOulB7fIRPx9a34JWNgJ8jXcBQpdm7I/s400/North+Carolina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Carolina</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Arkansas vs. Puerto Rico</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlHGAUyCu1n1SNN68t07xJU5gn1WGfz9EJxWOwt4TxDNW9wCBBBaX05ZJvDAxiF-n9KGw3q8IfjhzQpxHwcaqk7jrexCFkTlLCSnzUtAQGOuDVxoozkFQVuQJAJhyphenhyphenTq7v6qubRHZqfE_p/s1600/Arkansas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlHGAUyCu1n1SNN68t07xJU5gn1WGfz9EJxWOwt4TxDNW9wCBBBaX05ZJvDAxiF-n9KGw3q8IfjhzQpxHwcaqk7jrexCFkTlLCSnzUtAQGOuDVxoozkFQVuQJAJhyphenhyphenTq7v6qubRHZqfE_p/s400/Arkansas2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arkansas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4I1mMt-3OsdYzvqrZe0XV9oae_EUJHBi9eUzE6ssqkOZC2uj0I59ATAuF6LzYsSQhx_D4oKu11SDf3cYuqD3LpHTZB5NNhOhV_jcxP7D8oNl7zlxGyJJS80AeRE3fP_0YL5r5Kv7EMFP/s1600/Puerto+Rico.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4I1mMt-3OsdYzvqrZe0XV9oae_EUJHBi9eUzE6ssqkOZC2uj0I59ATAuF6LzYsSQhx_D4oKu11SDf3cYuqD3LpHTZB5NNhOhV_jcxP7D8oNl7zlxGyJJS80AeRE3fP_0YL5r5Kv7EMFP/s400/Puerto+Rico.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puerto Rico</td></tr>
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<i>Make your votes in the comments.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600597097418583839.post-42965005852046334502011-03-08T03:05:00.002-05:002011-03-08T03:05:00.699-05:00March Madness: North and West First Round ResultsNo Cinderella has emerged at the ball as the first round of the States and Territories Flag Tournament is now in the history books. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>North</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc3e0z2p6yEIT6vK3IgaxQyMQy4dbOsPFdXVK4SBHEP23gRp_Sq6x_6i-dgr3QUK_j2-ZbcXg5i_FmjuZ0lyUqMEV0vVUlZoXW0t6_4zwcx7yi-xiQzZP_ZtSF12vIhDDku35U_JDH6UQ/s1600/North+Current.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc3e0z2p6yEIT6vK3IgaxQyMQy4dbOsPFdXVK4SBHEP23gRp_Sq6x_6i-dgr3QUK_j2-ZbcXg5i_FmjuZ0lyUqMEV0vVUlZoXW0t6_4zwcx7yi-xiQzZP_ZtSF12vIhDDku35U_JDH6UQ/s400/North+Current.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In the North Divison, especially heavy in seal-on-blue flags, any kind of <i>distinctiveness</i> tended to win the day. Third-seed <b>Indiana </b>led the charge, crushing hapless <b>North Dakota</b> by a score of 36-3, while fifth-seed <b>Iowa </b>made similarly short work of <b>Wisconsin</b>, 25-3. Putting a seal on a white background helped a little, but not much; <b>Missouri </b>steamrollered the <b>Illinois </b>eagle 19-9 with the help of a vocal pro-bear contingent.<br />
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The closest thing to an upset in the North was delivered by tenth-seed <b>Montana</b>, which delivered a stinging 22-6 victory over <b>South Dakota</b>. The flag of the seventh-seed "Mount Rushmore State" was widely panned for what voters saw as an inappropriately promotional slogan incorporated in its design. Montana will go on to face the controversially shaped number two seed, <b>Ohio</b>, in the second round.<br />
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Elsewhere in the North, sixth-seed <b>Nebraska </b>easily defeated <b>Minnesota </b>18-8, and eighth-seed <b>Michigan </b>breezed by <b>Kansas </b>18-9 on the strength of its rampant ungulates. Michigan's deer are expected to struggle next week, however, against the buffalo of first-seeded regional powerhouse <b>Wyoming</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-XylnN2T0lPBiJd6ZBCn5p4jzYMpm7L1qEPdoZiyGwWJs9iU-VLBai1TPYVPDWE4-XKIX2BL_lSf1lE97TZWwzP11GvNNF4Y9kymQhRhoMEoh2NMMD8nU31u1S46NBxXkEmufnleDLF9/s1600/West+Current.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-XylnN2T0lPBiJd6ZBCn5p4jzYMpm7L1qEPdoZiyGwWJs9iU-VLBai1TPYVPDWE4-XKIX2BL_lSf1lE97TZWwzP11GvNNF4Y9kymQhRhoMEoh2NMMD8nU31u1S46NBxXkEmufnleDLF9/s400/West+Current.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>West</b></span><br />
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The West Division is home to many flags considered among the strongest in the tournament, so lopsided scores run up by the favorites were not unexpected in the first round of this bracket. The ninth-seed <b>Northern Marianas</b> managed to surprise eigth-seed <b>Nevada </b>16-10, however, winning what is expected to be a merely honorary chance to take on much-feared <b>Alaska</b>, the West's top seed, in the second round.<br />
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Neither third-seed <b>Arizona </b>nor fourth-seed <b>Hawaii </b>faced serious competition in their openers, with the Copper State blasting <b>American Samoa</b> 27-4 and the Aloha State pasting <b>Utah </b>26-3. American Samoa's sense of defeat was likely tempered, however, with multiple complaints that it had been been put at an unreasonable disadvantage with its uneviable 14th seed.<br />
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Also in the West, the green field of <b>Washington's </b>flag helped pull the fifth-seed Evergreen State over <b>Idaho</b>, 19-6; sixth-seed <b>Colorado </b>took care of business over <b>Guam</b>, 18-10; and seventh-seed <b>California </b>decisively trounced the uniquely two-faced <b>Oregon </b>banner, 21-6. California, another state helped by pro-bear sentiment, will hope to retain that momentum when it takes on legendary second-seed <b>New Mexico</b> in next week's showdown.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0