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Why does it matter which flag is displayed?
There are certain laws that are fundamental. All countries acknowledge their use and they help all nations communicate and deal with each other. One of those basic laws is The Law of the Flag.
The Law of the Flag
This time-honored law outlines the way flags are used by all nations on Earth. Originally most foreign trade was conducted by sea and the ship captains would fly the colors, or flag, of the country under whose protection they would be traveling. This practice continues to the present day. The ship, its cargo, crew and passengers are subject to the laws of that country. The ship's master, or captain, is empowered to enforce the laws of the country of the flag being displayed. Aboard that ship, the captain was the final judge of the law. This is also why marriages performed by boat captains are legal and binding.
When the ship would go into port to do business, others could see the flag flying on top of the ship. That was the captain's way of giving notice about which country and set of laws he represented.
The others had to be willing to do their business according to the represented country's laws. If they did not agree, they did not do business with that captain.
Four-cornering
This is the term for raising a flag on land. Walls or fences around an area create an enclave, or enclosure. The rules of the country whose flag flies within the four corners governs the property and people inside the enclave. This is how embassies are established with foreign countries. For example, if you are traveling in another country and visit the American embassy, the area inside the embassy walls is considered American soil. Everyone within is under the jurisdiction of American laws.
Any flag with yellow fringe around three edges is immediately recognized as amilitary flag. At sea, these are known as Admiralty flags. Traditionally, they are flown during times of war. During time of war, when an admiralty flag is raised on land, it is an identifying point for troops. However, during peace time, the military or admiralty flags has not traditionally been displayed in general public areas.
Which flag is legal?
The international community only acknowledges the legitimacy of the red, white and blue American flag as symbolizing the United States of America. The yellow-fringed flag does not represent the U.S.A. For example, if you enter a courtroom that displays a yellow-fringed flag, that is your notice that the laws of the United States that are based on the Constitution, are not in effect at that location.
Instead, the military laws are in effect for everyone within that room.
This is why it matters which flag is being displayed.
Constitutional Rules
If our country were following the laws of the Constitution, this activity would be illegal.
The Constitution outlines the way our nation is governed. Article III, section 1, describes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and all other courts of the nation. These rules apply while operating under the American flag. Many citizens call this the Flag of Peace. In other words, when the red, white and blue is flying, it symbolizes that the Constitution is alive and well and all rights are preserved - including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Describing the official flag.
Quoting the Constitution, "The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars, white in a blue field." As legalized by Constitutional Amendments, new states have become represented by a new star as they were admitted to the Union.
One nation, one government.
Under Article IV, section 3 of the Constitution of the United States of America, no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State. Many examples exist which show that government officials and judges adamantly refuse requests to remove the gold fringed flag and replace it with the constitutional flag of the United States as defined in Article 4, sections 1,2, and 3 - which has no fringe.
