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INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION CALLED OUT ON FLAG DISPLAY ON LOGO

Joint CommisionThe International Joint Commission (IJC) uses a logo that appears to us as perhaps a case of U.S. flag desecration. The logo came to our attention when we saw a published plan of the IJC to increase Lake Ontario’s water level.

As an aside, critics contend the high-water plan, called “BV7,” was designed to enrich the New York State Power Authority interests but will be detrimental to home owners of shoreline properties in communities like Youngstown, Porter, Wilson, Olcott and Rochester. Supporters say increased water levels will revitalize wetlands. We plan to explore this issue in our next edition.

IJC's official logo (right), introduced, according to IJC spokesperson, Frank Bevacqua in 2003, depicts a representation of the American flag below the Canadian flag, separated by wavy, white and blue lines that possibly represents a river.

This logo, if not a violation of U.S. flag law, is a breach of generally accepted international protocol. Funny, too, since the IJC is an international organization.

The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty established the IJC with six members: Three appointed by the President of the United State and three by the Governor in Council of Canada, on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Commissioners are charged with settling issues arising out of Canadian - American joint use of the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers and the five Great Lakes.
While we do not worship the flag, it nevertheless, “represents a living country,” and, according to US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, § 176, “is itself considered a living thing."

The laws governing display of the American flag, while not binding internationally, are to be found in US Code, Title 4. It is section 7g that addresses the display of the US flag alongside the flags of other nations: "When flags of two or more nations are displayed … they should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace."

Last we knew, the U. S. was not at war with Canada.

For those who argue that Canada is north of the USA and it is proper to show Canada above the USA, we argue these are flags, not maps.

MapsBesides the maps of the St. Lawrence and the Niagara River (far left corner) show the USA and Canada are mainly east and west of each other, not north and south, when bounded by the two rivers.

The flag the IJC displays below the Canadian represents our nation. We desire to see it alweays respected for what it stands for: Of men, loving liberty more than life, who have gone into battle following that flag. “Those stripes would be as red as the sunset sky if death could have dyed them red,” as a poet said. The flag represents sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great. It represents cheers of victory on dying lips. It represents equal justice, right, and law. It represents white clarity of purpose and somber, blue intent of men who fought, then framed the Constitution, men who peered through centuries to protect future Americans and withal paid homage to ancient freedom principles, knowing these are self evident and eternal, to become men of the ages. The flag is the emblem of freedom. The flag is the symbol of a country grown from 13 colonies to a nation of fifty, sovereign, United States. It represents our beautiful land of diverse and vast resources and diverse people. It represents our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears. A shock of color against the sky; blue and crimson and white, it is a symbol of truth, charity and justice and its sacred dead. It is a living thing.

The Reporter objects to it displayed in retrograde, below another country’s flag, even on a logo.

We don’t believe the IJC meant this as a deliberate slight. They can redesign their logo, moving the date at the bottom of the circle, so that two flags are side by side- as they should be.

Or perhaps, we are being overly sensitive.

What do you think?

 

 

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com June 26 , 2012