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Jan 11
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Susan Selner-Wright's avatar

Made my morning! Thank you!

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Jan 11
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R Rothman's avatar

I came here to post the same thing! Grey has done some good reporting on the states who have since updated their flags, including a few of the "Blue Bells" that Ed and Grey hate.

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Chris Floyd's avatar

Gentlemen! Please consult Roman Mars’ magisterial presentation on city flags (which are sometimes even more grotesque than the bad state flags).

https://youtu.be/pnv5iKB2hl4?si=92_ZbcZVNVK7k22w

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Heidi Øyma's avatar

Greetings from Oslo. Re: Nordic vs Scandinavian, Danmark is Scandinavian, Finland and Iceland are not. The Nordic Bishop's Conference comprises the two latter, hence the name Nordic. (But the latin name of the Conference says "Scandiae".)

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Nathaniel's avatar

I was surprised by JD's insistence that Denmark (according to a local from Copenhagen?) is Nordic but NOT Scandinavian. Checking online: everything I can find confirms that Scandinavia = Sweden + Norway + Denmark. Checks out with my understanding, having lived in Sweden for a year.

The *Scandinavian Peninsula* "...excludes Denmark but includes a part of northern Finland," per Wikipedia. But it's pretty rare for someone to use simply "Scandinavia" that way!

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Heidi Øyma's avatar

Yes, Nathaniel, I thought "Scandinavian Peninsula" might be the source of the confusion. It is a geopraphical term, but I think I have only heard it once in my life, whereas "Scandinavia" is in current use.

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JD Flynn's avatar

Thank you guys. I had at backward, as we've now discovered!

Often in error, never in doubt.

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Fr. Colin Braud's avatar

Louisiana state flag is hands down the best because it’s the most Catholic… Its a pelican… “Pie pellicane Jesu Domine….”

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Sue Korlan's avatar

Kentucky's is. United we stand, divided we fall is still true. And shaking hands is a sign of agreement and peacefulness which we need now.

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Sue Korlan's avatar

Kentucky is the only state to officially declare itself neutral in the Civil War (and both presidents were born here). It attempted to use its position to trade with both sides until the Confederacy set up a blockade against them (ironical but true). It joined the Union after having been invaded by a Confederate army. So the Kentucky flag best fits its history (with the possible exception of Texas).

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benh's avatar

Business suggestion: if you are going to give away headlines to your competitors, keep it for the PAID version of the podcast

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Erika S.'s avatar

Agreement with Ed on the awesomeness of Maryland’s flag.

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Rebecca's avatar

Our family moved to Indiana about five years ago, and the state flag has really grown on me. It’s simple and classic. The torch represents the rays of enlightenment, and there are 19 stars on the outer ring to signify Indiana’s entrance to the union as the 19th state.

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Sue Korlan's avatar

I hadn't thought of it that way. My heart is always in Indiana no matter where I go but I had thought the flag was too simple. Sort of like Motel 6's we'll leave the light on for you, which given that we call ourselves the Crossroads of America feels much too fitting.

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Rebecca's avatar

I like that too! And it has Notre Dame’s colors, which automatically makes it a great flag.

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Matt Keough's avatar

As a son of Ohio, I must agree our burgee stands alone. Also, we include a big old O, which is NOT the same as spelling out our name. Finally, it is impossible to fly upside down.

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Marial Arnold's avatar

You guys are dead wrong about Arizona's flag. It's amazing and it makes for awesome swag.

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Sue Korlan's avatar

I agree with JD that someone who agrees with the Church on all the issues would be able to have much greater effect than someone possibly implicated in the McCarrick scandal.

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ALT's avatar

Is there any bishop who is known to be solid on orthodoxy on matters of faith and morals, handling of sexual abuse allegations, and personal morals, who also speaks against deporting illegal immigrants?

I tried for Cardinal Muller, since he was perceived to be somewhat progressive through most of Benedict's papacy, but he opposes mass migration.

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Sue Korlan's avatar

Maybe Seitz? I don't know where he stands on the former issues but he plainly supports immigrants.

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ALT's avatar

Does he support immigrants, or does he support a cessation in enforcing immigration law?

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Cally C's avatar

Bishop Flores (of Brownsville, TX, so he also has personal experience leading a border diocese & ministering to immigrants in crisis)

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Deanna Betschart's avatar

The California flag has its roots in rebellion.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24644

The Bear Flag Revolt occurred on June 14, 1846, when settlers under the leadership of William Ide and Ezekiel Merritt took over of Sonoma and imprisoned the Mexican general Mariano Vallejo. The settlers hoisted the famous Bear Flag and declared the independence of the "Republic of California." The republic last for only 25 days before US troops took Sacramento and Sonoma.

Also, Louisiana’s flag is very Catholic.

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Evan Cowie's avatar

The Florida flag is one of the few to do the seal thing well. Plus it's got the remnant of the Spanish colonial flag, which is cool and very Catholic.

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Barbara Gruner's avatar

I appreciated the “Princess Bride” reference.

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Tom's avatar

JD, why don't you like Texas? You never gave a reason other than being from Colorado.

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Danny's avatar

Having a rival homestate is all the reason people in New Mexico and Colorado need to hate Texas. I wouldn't look too deeply for more. Mostly, I've heard complaints about the arrogance and rudeness of Texan visitors, but I sense a bit of self-doubt and envy in those comments, given that Texans have more of a reputation for hospitality than either of the other states. Also, Texas is pretty flat, and mountain states are really proud of their peaks (just ask one if they've ever bagged a 14er).

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Jimmy's avatar

I was shocked and saddened by JD's comments on Texas ('I know we may lose some subscriptions over this but I hate Texas') ruining what would have otherwise been an excellent podcast. Indeed when I replayed the clip to my University of Dallas friends, they were left reconsidering what type of Pillar readers they really are or should be. Is JD the same person they invited to their Groundhog week? I am a third generation Texan who has delighted in spending time in Colorado, in much of the territory that was once part of the Republic of Texas. I love the state and love that my children and grandchildren delight in it is as well. I cannot fault Coloradans. Almost all of them are friendly and accommodating. It is only the transplants from other states that I have found to be unfriendly. JD, what state did you come from?

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JD Flynn's avatar

I specifically exempted the University of Dallas. And Jimmy, regional rivalries are just good plain fun in America. Without irrational regional rivalries, we'd be a less interesting and colorful society -- a synthetic monoculture.

In other words, it needn't shock and sadden you that Americans have completely arational regional rivalries. That's part of the fun of being a human.

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Philip's avatar

As a Nebraskan who is still salty about the 2009 Big 12 Championship game, Horns Down!

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Annie's avatar

That was my freshman year at UT- I still remember the roar that went through the dorm! Hook ‘em!

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Jimmy's avatar

Come to Fort Worth. We can give you good reasons to exempt it as well.

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JD Flynn's avatar

you betcha.

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