Sharpshooter...
For starters, I never and would never blame Texas's problems on the "trash" of other states....so try again.
And secondly, after this comment about West, Texas, if you want to continue on with this discussion start a new thread after all, it has nothing to do with "flags".
I can also site an article about the plants history:
Now, on that note, if we have regulatory guidelines, laws and people to oversee them, why did they not follow through. The fact that it was a fertilizer plant should have been enough, and according to the law, WAS enough to warrant federal oversight....and yet, federal government dropped the ball. Again, this is not a case of just the plant being neglectful, but also the Federal government. Which was my point in the first place. But in order to side with your point, I'd like to have some evidence that the factory purposely failed to report to the federal government. The fact is, they didn't check a box, and the fact that they didn't check a box should have been a red flag for the regulatory agencies. Why didn't they say "hey!"?
Now going back on topic, Flags are a means of unity. That will NEVER be outdated. Maybe a better example would be sports or gangs? In the case of sports because well it is no secret I bleed orange an blue, I wear my colors often, proudly, and as much as possible on my 5'6 inch frame. I have my car decorated with orange and blue and I hang my HUGE flag outside my door every fall. Other swamp natives honk, wave, nod, and acknowledge my "flags" to show unity and support. Flags will always be a means of communication, unification and pride, and that will NEVER be outdated, out of style, or useless. To think that flags have served their purpose is just short sighted in my opinion. I am a proud American, and I treat the stars and stripes with the utmost respect, as it is a symbol of what I believe in. I am a proud Texan, and same thing applies. You'd be hard pressed to find a patriot who is willing to give up their symbol of our nation simply because a few group of people have lost national pride. For those people....go drink with the Dixie Chicks...after all, after their comments about America, the population who use to buy their CD's suddenly stopped. Imagine that.
OHHHHH: I forgot your attempt to bring a religious debate onto the scene......For one, I happen to think Creationism and Science go together fine. So if they want to teach both, more power to them. As to perspective, I have tons. I am probably more centered than any bleeding heart liberal around. So, Mr. Sharp, might I suggest you join me in the center and stop force feeding your liberal agenda on me on the forum? I don't buckle and I don't cave, and if I can rationalize the Iraq war, you are a gnat on my spectrum.....