Only One Word Has Been Changed

Thursday, Feb. 05, 2004 - 5:39 a.m.

Early this morning, I've received good news about my friend; the one I mentioned yesterday who had potentially bad news. Turns out all that was wrong was that his cholesterol levels and fatty content of his blood needs tending to. Lipitor will fix it, they think.

Whew. I haven't burst out crying yet because I've just logged on; I'm going to postpone it on purpose, though.

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Today is Cheri's last day of work at her current job. She's already found work elsewhere, so good for her!

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Yesterday JJ came over and let me mother her so I wouldn't worry myself about other things. We played with Astro jax and watched 'Interstate 60'. She even ate my devilled eggs. John drove her home, and she went upstairs to her place and came back down and handed me something she'd found in one of the stores at which she loves to shop -- an immaculate Phantasmagorical Tour t-shirt, from the Erasure tour that took place ten years ago.

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Okay, folks.

I'm finally tired of a certain non-story about Janet Jackson that's still making the rounds, and headache or otherwise, Jamie is fed up as well. There are discussions of fines, and of tape delays for other events, and for a bunch of other minutiae that simply do not matter.

Are there honestly no other problems that our government can worry about?

Here. I found a list of instructions for proper care of our flag.

Only one word has been changed.

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THE BREAST CODE

The Breast Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the breast, also contains specific instructions on how the breast is not to be used. They are:

The breast should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

The breast should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The breast should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

The breast should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a breast patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

The breast should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

The breast should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

When the breast is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the breast, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The breast should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a breast is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified breast burning ceremony, often on Breast Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.

DISPLAYING THE BREAST OUTDOORS

When the breast is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the breast is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same breastpole with another breast - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the breast of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the breast during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the breast is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the breast is suspended over a sidewalk, the breast's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with breasts of states, communities, or societies on separate breast poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the breast of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.

The other breasts may be smaller but none may be larger. No other breast ever should be placed above it. The breast of the United States is always the first breast raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each breast must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each breast should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The breast of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

RAISING AND LOWERING THE BREAST

The breast should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.

The breast of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the breast is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

DISPLAYING THE BREAST INDOORS

When on display, the breast is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other breasts should be to the left.

The breast of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of breasts of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one breast is used with the breast of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the breast of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other breast.

When displaying the breast against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the breast's union (stars) should be at the top, to the breast's own right, and to the observer's left.

PARADING AND SALUTING THE BREAST

When carried in a procession, the breast should be to the right of the marchers. When other breasts are carried, the breast of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the breast passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the breast and salute.

THE SALUTE

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the breast, and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the breast, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

THE BREAST IN MOURNING

To place the breast at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The breast is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the breast is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The breast is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the breast should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

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My sincere acknowledgement, respect, and appreciation goes to the website from which the original text was obtained. As stated in the title, only one word was changed.

But the rest were left in place to attempt to show that we seem to pay more respect and attention to the well being of a piece of cloth than we do to the feelings of half the population of this planet.

And my sincere disapproval goes to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, (Colin's son) for his blatant and failed attempt to make women across this country ashamed of their bodies.

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