As MSNBC Stonewalls Flag Flap, Keith Revives Controversy
This site was first to report on the curious case of MSNBC's "place for politics" logo, which displays an American flag flying upside-down. The reasons for this puzzling design decision remain as murky today as they have been all along, mainly because MSNBC is hiding behind a wall of silence.
We have repeatedly emailed the news channel to ask why they fly the American flag upside-down, and whether there is some intentional meaning in doing so:
It has come to my attention that MSNBC is running an animated flag bug in the lower right hand corner of the screen. In this logo ("the place for politics") the flag appears upside down rather than right side up.In multiple emails we have posed this question to MSNBC spokespersons (including Emily Marx, Alana Russo, Paulette Song). We have not received an acknowledgement, let alone any answers.
Are you able to tell me why the flag is shown flying upside down, and whether there is any meaning or significance that is intended? Thank you so much. --J$
Flying the American flag upside-down has a specific and long-held meaning: it is an internationally recognized sign of "dire distress" signifying "extreme danger to life or property" (US Code Chapter 10, 176). Any other display of the flag with the union side down is categorized as disrespect. How odd that MSNBC, which uses a right-side-up flag in other circumstances, chose to use a warning of "dire distress" in connection with American politics.
Now, in the midst of MSNBC's stonewalling comes Keith Olbermann. As this video (from Olbermann Watch) demonstrates, Keith ridiculed George Bush for holding up an American flag backwards--while MSNBC's upside-down flag continued to fly in the corner of the screen!
Why does MSNBC fly the American flag upside-down? What is it supposed to mean? And why won't they answer questions about it?
