Flags/Expert Profile
Expertise
I am more-or-less expert in vexillology (the study of flags). My expertise is particularly strong in North America at the level of city and county, but if I don`t know the answer I know a dozen people who do. So if there`s a flag in the newspaper or on TV that you have trouble identifying, let me know. I`ll do my best. But PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO APPRAISE A FLAG'S VALUE: (1) I have no expertise in that area and (2) even if I did, I cannot appraise something I can't see. Take it to a museum which has a specialist in textiles and the like.
Experience in the area
In this field, I designed the flag of Carroll County, Illinois, in 1974 (see http://www.internetni.com/~lanarklib/index.html). You can see my personal flag at http://www.nava.org/memflags.htm
What do you like about this subject?
I like the design and symbolism, and by now have over 3000 in my collection.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
A new flag every day :-)
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:
Betsy Ross's design probably never flew, and the term "Stars and Bars" does *not* refer to the familiar Confederate flag with the 13 stars on the blue cross.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject
Think about *why* South Carolina hoisted its Confederate flag in 1962 and you'll know why it shouldn't be there now. See also the flag changes of Georgia and Mississippi (which voted not to change it).
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 11/04/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you so much! This was a ..... |
| VEE | 10/17/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | The information you provided from the state ..... |
| VEE | 10/17/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | A wonderful response and kind and considerate ..... |
| Kelly | 10/14/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Wonderfully put and I appreciate the promptness ..... |
| ross | 09/22/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
Recent Answers from Albert Kirsch
2009-11-03 Putting a 4ft antenna on top a flagpole:
"Legally", yes. Flag protocol does not actually have the force fo law because there is no penalty prescribed for violating it. And protocol manuals cannot anticipate every eventuality; yours is one such
2009-11-03 flags:
In the US it is customary to display our flag first and then all other national flags alphabetically. That's military and diplomatic protocol. At an equestrian competition sponsored by an international
2009-10-24 Gold Stripes on American Flag:
>>My gut instinct was to guess fading or running of nearby red stripes (red dyes are notorious for this) but you seem to have ruled this out. So I have posted it to my Yahoo group to see if any of them
2009-10-23 First American Flag:
On 14 June 1777 Congress approved a design for the national flag. The wording was vague, not indicating whether the stripes were horizontal or vertical, nor whether the stars had 5 or 6 points. Many people
2009-10-18 flag identity:
I suspected as much. It is the "service flag", flown by the parents (usually) of someone in the military. These folks obviously have two kids serving. Fortunately, the stars are both blue. You've doubtless
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