Ponder is such a genteel way to introduce a national debate! 
Certainly, if the discussion heats up as much as Canada’s did when we changed our flag, Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, has to be prepared to do more than “ponder”! She has to put on her battle armour!
In 1964, when Canada switched from the Red Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton, Legionnaires, monarchists and die-hard British loyalists didn’t “ponder” their views. They shouted their protests for years. The flag debate was the longest debate in Canadian history.
What new design is the Prime Minister pondering about? A silver fern on a black background. She says it will “New Zealandize” the flag. The Maoris will like it! The silver fern, or ponga, is the emblem of the All blacks national rugby team.
Any other flag ideas out there?
Jeff, a tour bus driver and a regular Flag Shop customer, is challenging us to design a car flag to welcome visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics. That is a tough call because scores of words, phrases and designs are protected by copyrights by the Vancouver Olympic committee.
I am sure we have creative readers. How about some suggestions? Send us your ideas to editor@flagshop.com.
We’ll let Jeff be the judge and throw in a $50 Flag Shop gift certificate to the winner!
As of June 29, 2007, the Netherland Antilles ceased to exist, so now there will be one less flag on our world flag chart. The Flag Shop publishes a new chart every couple of years but almost every time it is printed, it is out of date. 
Last issue, in 2005, it was just off the press when Serbia and Montenegro split and Montenegro’s red and gold flag had to be added. So, the best place to see the latest flag chart is on our website. Click on pages 8 and 9. If you spot an error, let us know!
The Dominion Institute has published a poll 
that says our flag is more important to people 55 years and older than people 35 and younger. Why the difference? The study suggests:
- Younger people are less knowledgeable about Canada’s history than older Canadians.
- Younger people have less sense of what citizenship means.
- Many younger Canadians are new immigrants who are not sentimental about our flag.
- Young people are more interested in sports flags than national flags.
- Young people relate more to Tim Hortons and timbits than flags.
A bill in the Pennsylvanian legislature would add the name of the state in embroidery to the flag. Introducer, Rep. Solobay, wants to make sure that all Pennsylvanians can recognize their flag. This has vexillologists very upset. Flags are symbols, not signs? Can you imagine our maple-leaf with “Canada” embroidered on it? Pennsylvanians should recognize their flag by its symbolism alone. What do you think? You can have fun with this one by adding your opinion here (survey page.)
A reader sent us a memo that Americans are not allowed to fly their flag with less than 48 stars in the canton. Does anyone know the story behind this?
A visitor to our website saw our flag chart
and vehemently criticized us for displaying the flag of Artsakh as a Flag of the World. He says “Artsakh, which is the Armenian version of ‘Nagorono-Karabakh’ Republic, is an illegimate separatist state. It was created as a result of military occupation of the region, internationally recognized as the territory of Azerbaijan, by the republic of Armenia. The process of occupation also involved ethnic cleansing of the entire Azeri population of Karabakh and surrounding Azeri districts — close to 800,000 people — grizzly and inhuman massacre of hundreds of people in the town of Khojaly in 1992. At present, Artsakh is a haven for terrorism, narcotics trafficking and weapons trading.” Now, the Flag Shop is a member of the Flag Research Center, an a-political, for-profit organization which counters our visitor with these premises:- Artsakh has declared itself independent- the local authorities control the area- at least one sovereign nation - in this case, Armenia - recognizes the independence of the country.
Is there anyone out there who can shed some more light on this discussion?
Before adjourning for the national 4th of July holiday, the U.S. Senate voted on a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would have given Congress the right to pass legislation prohibiting the “physical desecration” of the US flag. The House of Representatives had already approved the measure. The vote in the Senate failed to win approval by one vote: 36 opposed and 64 in favour.
Following up on our July 19th item, the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 was finally approved by both the House and the Senate. It is now illegal to restrict condominium owners from displaying the U.S. flag, regardless of the agreements that homeowners have signed.
Reported on Radio 1130 this morning: “Two RCMP officers should not be afraid of heights!”; Constable Craig Van Herk and retired Corporal Ed Van Dooyeweert will sit at the top of the world’s largest free-standing flag pole. The challenge is in support of children living with cancer. The Mounties will start their climb up the 282 foot pole at 10:15 this morning [July 19, 2006] at Flag Chevrolet on 104th in Surrey. The view promises to be amazing. They’ll make their way down tomorrow evening.”
The Flag Shop challenges businesses in British Columbia to support our two brave officers in their campaign for kids with cancer. Donations can be sent to the Canadian Cancer Society, BC Yukon Division, c/o Stephani Agg, 510 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC. V5V 4J4 or you can donate on-line at www.cancer.ca. Follow the links to Cops for Kids.