“Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” - Henry Louis Mencken
“We are the lavishest and showiest and most luxury-loving people on the earth; and at our masthead we fly one true and honest symbol, the gaudiest flag the world has ever seen.”
- Mark Twain
E-Verse Guitar Picks are Here! Do you play guitar? Lute? Cittern? Banjo? West African Ngoni? Pipa? Ruan? Sitar? Know someone who does? Just write in with your address, and we’ll mail you some custom E-Verse guitar picks absolutely free! We’ll even pick up the postage. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this generous plectrum offer!
The Next War
Wilfred Owen
Out there, we’ve walked quite friendly up to Death;
Sat down and eaten with him, cool and bland, –
Pardoned his spilling mess-tins in our hand.
We’ve sniffed the green thick odour of his breath, –
Our eyes wept, but our courage didn’t writhe.
He’s spat at us with bullets and he’s coughed
Shrapnel. We chorused when he sang aloft;
We whistled while he shaved us with his scythe.
Oh, Death was never enemy of ours!
We laughed at him, we leagued with him, old chum.
No soldier’s paid to kick against his powers.
We laughed, knowing that better men would come,
And greater wars; when each proud fighter brags
He wars on Death — for lives; not men — for flags.
Top Five Coolest Pirate Flags (Jolly Rogers):
5. Edward England (your standard Jolly Roger)
4. Henry Every
3. Stede Bonnet
2. Bartholomew Roberts (”Black Bart”)
1. Edward Teach (”Blackbeard”)
Check ‘em out for yourself:
http://www.kipar.org/piratical-resources/pirate-flags.html
E-Verse Radio Unbelievable But Real Film Titles of the Week:
Checkered Flag or Crash (1977)
The Rise and Fall of Black Velvet Flag (2003)
The Dragon Flag and Secret Pearl (1966)
Flag Film (1898)
Iron Eagle II: The Battle Beyond the Flag (1988)
Excellent gallery of flags by design and shape:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_of_flags_by_design
Do you like to watch? Check us out at:
The new episode contains footage of Joshua Mehigan reading from his book The Optimist.
For more on Mehigan: http://www.joshuamehigan.net/
Guide to flags of all countries (check out Torres Strait Islanders):
http://www.theodora.com/flags/
E-Verse Radio Invaluable Flag Facts of the Week:
- Although flag-like symbols were used in some ancient cultures, the origin of flags in the modern sense is a matter of dispute. Some believe flags originated in China, while others hold that the Roman Empire’s vexillum was the first true flag. Originally, the standards of the Roman legions were not flags, but symbols like the eagle of Augustus Caesar’s Xth legion; this eagle would be placed on a staff for the standard-bearer to hold up during battle. But a military unit from Scythia had for a standard a dragon with a flexible tail which would move in the wind; the legions copied this; eventually all the legions had flexible standards — our modern-day flag.
- In the Middle Ages, flags were used mainly during battles to identify individual leaders: in Europe the knights, in Japan the samurai, and in China the generals under the imperial arm.
- The flag of Denmark is the oldest state flag still in use. This flag, called the Dannebrog, inspired the cross design of the other Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, �land, and Scania.
- The Union Flag (Union Jack) of the United Kingdom. British colonies typically flew a flag based on one of the ensigns based on this flag, and many former colonies have retained the design to acknowledge their cultural history. Examples: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Tuvalu, and also the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, and the American state of Hawaii.
- The Tricolor of The Netherlands is the oldest tricolour, first appearing in 1572 as the Prince’s Flag in orange/white/blue. Soon the more famous red/white/blue began appearing. After 1630 the red/white/blue was the most commonly seen flag. The Dutch Tricolor has inspired many flags but most notably those of Russia, India, and France, which spread the tricolor concept even further. The Flag of the Netherlands is also the only flag in the world that is adapted for some uses, when the occasion has a connection to the royal house of the Netherlands an orange ribbon is added.
- The flag of Turkey, which was the flag of the Ottoman Empire, has been an inspiration for the flag designs of many other Muslim nations. During the time of the Ottomans the crescent began to be associated with Islam and this is reflected on the flags of Algeria, Azerbaijan, Comoros, Malaysia, Mauritania, Pakistan, Tunisia, and of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- The Pan-Arab colors, green, white, red and black, seen on the flags of Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Yemen and on the Palestinian flag.
- On June 14, 1777, the US Congress adopted a resolution calling for a flag with thirteen stripes, alternating red and white, and with a blue canton or “union,” with thirteen white stars. The resolution defined the significance of the colors: “White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness, and Valor; Blue, Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.”
- The thirteen stripes and thirteen stars, of course, represented the original thirteen colonies. The five pointed stars used as a symbol in flag design was relatively rare until its incorporation into the American flag. It has since been used in many state flags and in foreign flags, including Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the once sovereign nations of the Republic of Texas and the Kingdom of Hawaii. Based on the American usage, the star has come to be associated in flag design with unity, independence, or to represent the constituent parts of a nation.
- Until 1818, an additional star and stripe was added as each new state was admitted to the Union. By 1816 it had become evident that the practice was not practical, and on April 4, 1816, a new scheme was made official. The Flag of the United States would have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white, and a blue canton on which a white star would be added for each state. Each star would be added to the flag on the July 4th following the admission of the new state to the Union.
- The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition held following Federation. It was approved by Australian and British authorities over the next few years, although the exact specifications of the flag were changed several times both intentionally and as a result of confusion. The current specifications were published in 1934, and in 1954 the flag became legally recognised as the “Australian National Flag.” The flag is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper hoist quarter, and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist. The fly contains a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars — one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars.
- In addition to the Blue Ensign there are several additional Australian flags, including the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag and the flags of the Defence Forces. The design of the Australian flag is the subject of debate within Australia, with some advocating its redesign in connection with the republican movement.
The Jasper Johns flag:
http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/1996/johns/pages/johns.flag.html
“If you want a symbolic gesture, don’t burn the flag; wash it.” - Norman Thomas
McSweeney’s has lost over $100,000 in the recent small press distribution meltdown. You can help them out by visiting their rare items auction here:
http://search..ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtimothymcsweeneys
E-Verse News You Can Use from the Un-E-Versity of Life:
Resentment A Force That Shapes Lit Bloggers’ Views:
http://www.nysun.com/article/56368
Chinua Achebe Wins Booker Prize:
http://news..bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6745609.stm
Why Upper Classes Have Disappeared From UK Fiction:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/06/classy_fiction_should_make_roo.html
Laureate Strikes Out At Reading Programs:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2100543,00.html
“As an undergraduate, I liked to annoy the dons at St. Hilda’s College by turning up at my tutorials in a leather biker jacket, a miniskirt, ripped fishnet stockings, and Doc Marten boots. My hair (which has never recovered) was crimped and sprayed into black and pink spikes. ”pater le bourgeois’ was the idea, I suppose”:
http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=5dngtjjjxlk46snkl83dkpbxs2b0f6dl
“Romantics who visit Cuba from rich lands like to kid themselves that they have found a true alternative to capitalist democracy. Why?”:
http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=9636
Harold Bloom on Hebrew Poetry:
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/20338
US state flags:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/
“I also wish that the Pledge of Allegiance were directed at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as it is when the President takes his oath of office, rather than to the flag and the nation.” - Carl Sagan
A reader sends in a bonus town you really have to visit:
“Reading up on Laura Ingalls Wilder I happened upon this place name: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knob_Lick%2C_Missouri and worryingly though of you! I don’t even want to think about its origins!”
A reader sends in aanother great summer cocktail recipe:
“The Pimm’s Cup (The Southern US Version)”
In a tall cocktail glass add a slice of lime, lemon, and orange.
Fill the glass 1/4 to 1/3 full of Pimm’s.
Muddle as though it’s foreplay.
Fill with club soda, leaving room for a splash.
Add either a splash of Hendrick’s Cucumber Gin or Ginger Ale, whichever your prefer.
Drink with lust.
Have one more.
E-Verse Radio Bad Book Cover of the Week, Touch Lightning:
http://punkrockpenguin.net/waste/amuse/badcovers/touchlightning.html
Fleming’s Follies
Red Flag Gag
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/238465/demonstration_with_a_red_flag/
Scootch “Flying the Flag”- The UK 2007 Eurovision Contest
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aHoZBiBqPt0
Animaniacs Flags of the World
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qrz6YbAvTSQ
Oh, those Aussies! Master thief steals $1.4M painting by walking into gallery in middle of day, taking painting off wall, walking out. Genius:
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21903808-5005940,00.html
A reader sends in “top five random flag factoids from my brain”:
5. The Japanese flag, a red circle on a white field, represents the rising sun. But during the first half of the 20th century, the flag that became most familiar to nations that Japan had invaded was a red sun with red rays extending outwards (seen by many to have colonialist symbolism), having been used by occupying force. The Japanese Navy currently uses this as their ensign, but it continues to have negative connotations in Japan’s former colonies. There is a left-wing movement in Japan that frequently protests many aspects of the Japanese flag, and fought hard to prevent the Rising Sun flag from becoming the official national flag (which it finally became in 1999).
4. The preferred etiquette for disposal of a no-longer-serviceable American flag is to burn it.
3. It is someone’s job to almost constantly raise and lower American flags all day, on top of the Capitol building. Such flags are then given or sold to people, accompanied by an official certificate saying that it was flown over the Capitol. You can also send in your own flag and have it flown over the Capitol, and returned with a certificate.
2. The familiar Confederate flag (as seen on the Dukes of Hazzard car General Lee) was never the official confederate flag. The square version was the Confederate battle flag, and the rectangular one we usually associate with the Confederacy was actually their naval flag; the original “Stars and Bars” was too easily confused on the battlefield with the Union flag:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stars_and_bars
http://www..straightdope.com/mailbag/mconfederate.html
1. The whole Betsy Ross flag story — probably not true. Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence, probably designed the flag. The Betsy Ross story arose years later, told by her grandson:
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blross.htm
Who care if it’s a planet anymore. He discovered Pluto, for cryin’ out loud! Let’s get him a stamp!
While driving or just going for a jog, download the MP3 of our radio show at:
E-Verse Radio town you really have to visit:
Flag Pond, Unicoi County, Tennessee
Runner up: Oxford, Massachusetts is commonly called “Flag Town.”
“The less a statesman amounts to, the more he loves the flag.” - Kin Hubbard
E-Verse Radio collective noun of the week:
A flutter of flags, or, a flap of flags.
“Let it be borne on the flag under which we rally in every exigency, that we have one country, one constitution, one destiny.” - Daniel Webster
E-Verse recommended magazine, Open Letters:
“Open Letters is a new monthly review site dedicated to the idea that writing about the arts should not be back-patting, soft-pedaling, or compromised. Our mission to to bring the reader informed, engaging, and fun reviews each month. We’d like to create a conversation, to change the way writing is talked about. We run one single poem every month, as well as long reviews of two or more books from a single small press. One regular feature, Peer Review, collects and evaluates a new book’s reviews. Another feature, Absent Friends, reintroduces the work of a writer who has fallen out of print. Our next issue, launching May first, will feature reviews of Bill Knott and John Yau from Saturnalia Press, the new biography of John Donne, and a Peer Review of Robert Fagles’ new translation of the Aeneid, and Adam Golaski’s re-introduction of out-of-print poet Boston poet Paul Hannigan. We’ll have a long essay bout inspirational books, a quiz, and a new poem too. Stop by, drop us a line!”
Visit their site:
Hilbertian Sonnet of the Week:
On the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of John Lennon’s Murder
On a step behind the Holiday Inn,
Two Russians roamed up, bummed a cigarette,
While a third snuck up, struck me from behind.
I sprawled to asphalt. Then the boot came in.
I swung through the red, but it’s a good bet
I didn’t land one. The blackout was kind.
I woke knotted in blood-ruined sheets, startled:
Smashed, stamped, and splintered to a numbed dazzle,
I spat black wads into the fuzzy sink.
One look in the mirror, my brain curdled.
I propped in the shower stall. Steam sizzled.
My hair loosened a sick swirl of sour pink.
They made off, grinning, with all I had: two
Dollars, five cigarettes, and my Zippo.
Original appearance in Cimarron Review, 2006
Reports from the E-Verse Universe
A reader writes in with two more summer songs:
“‘Summer Breeze’ by Seals & Crofts (or the cover by Jackie Mittoo or the Isley Brothers), and ‘Summer in the City,’ the Quincy Jones version.”
[Ah, don't forget the Goth-Metal version of "Summer Breeze" by Type O Negative. - E]
Another:
“‘Summertime Girls’ by Y & T, duh!”
Another:
“What about ‘Summer Breeze’ by the Isley Brothers?”
Another:“You can’t have a summer list of songs without ‘Summer Madness’ by Kool and the Gang (even if you do have ‘Summertime’ by Will Smith!).”
[Any others out there? They don't have to have the word "summer" in the title, you know. The summer is long, so let's keep 'em coming! - E]
A reader clarifies another reader’s comments on Superchicken:
“Totally! Superchicken was great! I watched it all the time. Also The Mighty Heroes. Yay Diaperman! We’ve got parodies galore today! But back then, they were rare gems! The Superchicken song isn’t the same without the clucking, though.”
http://www.digital-sledgehammer.com/superchicken/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mighty_Heroes
“Do NOT go to www.superchicken.com. NO!!! Just back away!”
Next week’s episode: well, we’re off again next week, but then it’s the July 4th episode!
E-Verse Radio is letting its freak flag fly. It is a regular weekly column of literary, publishing, and arts information and opinion that has gone out since 1999. It is brought to you by ERNEST HILBERT and currently enjoys over 1,300 readers. If you wish to submit lists or other comments, please use the same capitalization, punctuation, and grammar you would for anything else intended for publication. Please send top five lists, bad movie titles, limericks, facts, comments, and new readers along whenever you like; simply click reply and I’ll get back to you.
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