# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 2)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [January 5, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657 "2024-01-05T16:15:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 307

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6121 "2025-12-08T21:41:41Z")

</div>

> [@Jack\_Batty](#):
>
> “Iplejaljis todflag ofdaunitostaysamamica attoodarapuba forwitchastand wonasha underga wilibibby and jusfaroo.”

I think it’s spelled [Prisencolinensinainciusol](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-wH8SrFro).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6122 "2025-12-08T22:40:47Z")

</div>

> [@digs](#):
>
> Even as a kindergartener I never understood why we pledged allegiance to… THE FLAG?

As a kindergartner, and a 1st and 2nd grader as well, I had no idea what either a pledge or allegiance were.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6123 "2025-12-08T22:43:31Z")

</div>

It was indoctrination, acceptance before understanding.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6124 "2025-12-08T22:52:40Z")

</div>

The woman serving as clerk of court in Colleton County, S.C. during the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial has pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges, relating to such things as improperly providing news media access to sealed trial exhibits and promotion of a book about the case.

“There is no excuse for my mistakes” said Mary Hill.

_Mistakes…I’ve made a few_  
_but they were actually sleazy behavior_

> **[Ex-court clerk in Alex Murdaugh double murder trial pleads guilty to charges...](https://abcnews.go.com/US/court-clerk-alex-murdaugh-murder-trial-pleads-guilty/story?id=128212120)**
>
> Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca "Becky" Hill pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, perjury and misconduct in office.

Diverting federal funds to herself, plagiarism, improperly spending county money - “mistakes” she regrets.

> **[Clerk over Alex Murdaugh trial spent thousands on bonuses, meals and gifts,...](https://apnews.com/article/alex-murdaugh-becky-hill-ethics-complaint-1d9acf592ae759f851059fbd11e28deb)**
>
> South Carolina officials have filed 76 counts of ethics violations against the court clerk who handled the Alex Murdaugh murder trial.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6125 "2025-12-09T00:28:59Z")

</div>

> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> As a kindergartner, and a 1st and 2nd grader as well, I had no idea what either a pledge or allegiance were.

I think I thought I was being very patriotic.

But — you know, I thought I was pledging allegiance to the country “with liberty and justice for all.” As an adult, I’m not expecting miracles. But we’re supposed to be trying to get there. And my allegiance is to that attempt.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6126 "2025-12-09T00:31:41Z")

</div>

I believe the sixth word, flag, is what people are pledging alligence to.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6127 "2025-12-09T00:32:51Z")

</div>

> [@thorny\_locust](#):
>
> And my allegiance is to that attempt.

It’s taking longer than we thought.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6128 "2025-12-09T00:37:54Z")

</div>

True.

It’s been a pretty damn bumpy road all along, though (which they definitely didn’t teach me in grade school.) I’m not giving up yet.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6129 "2025-12-09T00:45:53Z")

</div>

I low-key care about the flag. Maybe it was just the way I was raised but I brought one to the No Kings protest and I was kinda bothered by people waving theirs upside-down. I’m not as bothered about bikinis or whatever, but if you’re gonna display an actual flag, display it with respect.

I’m just as bothered by those ones with a blue stripe. Nobody corners the market on patriotism. I know that means many things to many people but to me it’s about a set of ideals that I genuinely believe are worth pursuing even when we’re all making a mess of things. And I’ve always found symbols pretty moving.

So yeah, I’m pro flag.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6130 "2025-12-09T01:11:25Z")

</div>

> [@thorny\_locust](#):
>
> I think I thought I was being very patriotic.

I remember going to movies when I was four and five years old. Dad was a Naval officer, and we usually saw movies on the base. They’d play _The Star-Spangled Banner_ before the film. I remember standing in the aisle, saluting the screen.

> [@thorny\_locust](#):
>
> I thought I was pledging allegiance to the country “with liberty and justice for all.”

It’s funny, You recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning through elementary school. As an adult, you’re called anti-American for wanting liberty and justice for all. 🥴

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6131 "2025-12-09T01:14:05Z")

</div>

> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> I believe the sixth word, flag, is what people are pledging alligence to.

“…and to the Republic for which it stands.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6132 "2025-12-09T01:25:56Z")

</div>

My work uniform includes a nametag with a flag in one corner.

I cover it with my “employee owner since 2011” pin because I think wearing the flag is disrespectful.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6133 "2025-12-09T01:44:28Z")

</div>

> [@Joey\_P](#):
>
> I think it’s spelled [Prisencolinensinainciusol](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-wH8SrFro).

Jeffrey Epstein could really get down!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6134 "2025-12-09T01:56:19Z")

</div>

> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> I low-key care about the flag. Maybe it was just the way I was raised but I brought one to the No Kings protest and I was kinda bothered by people waving theirs upside-down. I’m not as bothered about bikinis or whatever, but if you’re gonna display an actual flag, display it with respect.

At our No Kings protest, our family waved flags with the canton by the staff and toward the top, as is the correct way to display and fly the flag, but it is also true that the display of the flag with the canton on the bottom is recognized as a distress signal.

Perhaps that’s the meaning the protesters were trying to get at?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6135 "2025-12-09T02:01:28Z")

</div>

> [@SunUp](#):
>
> it is also true that the display of the flag with the canton on the bottom is recognized as a distress signal.
> 
> Perhaps that’s the meaning the protesters were trying to get at?

I have no doubt that the protesters who were displaying the flag upside-down were doing so expressly for that reason.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6136 "2025-12-09T02:02:36Z")

</div>

> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> I low-key care about the flag. Maybe it was just the way I was raised but I brought one to the No Kings protest

I’ve been to a couple of those so far. They were both full of American flags, and both times someone came through offering more. (I’d brought my own.)

> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> > [@thorny\_locust](#):
> >
> > I thought I was pledging allegiance to the country “with liberty and justice for all.”
> 
> It’s funny, You recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning through elementary school. As an adult, you’re called anti-American for wanting liberty and justice for all.

Be careful what you teach your kids. Sometimes they actually learn it.

(somewhere, right now, I suspect there’s a kid arguing with their MAGA parent because the kid actually did do their own research.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6137 "2025-12-09T02:20:51Z")

</div>

As to the dump truck covers specifically.

There’s a difference between a “flag” and a flag-themed sheet with 4 or 6 red & white stripes and a few white stars on a blue field somewhere near the staff side. That is American flag-like, not an American flag.

Red white and blue bunting is also flag-like. But is not a flag.

  

Tonight I was out driving around to admire some Christmas lights in an area with lots of them. I came upon a balcony railing on a high-rise apartment building where they had American flags displayed in lights.

Today I learned somebody is now selling mesh panels of red, white, and blue LEDs about 3’ x 5’ in the form of an American Flag. There’s a LOT of LEDs in each one so they make pretty decent flag likenesses.

Anyhow, this “patriotic” (read “MAGA traitor”) rocket scientist had wallpapered his corner balcony railing with 5 of these flags hung vertical edge to vertical edge; two on one face of his balcony railing and three on the other.

Except they were all installed to look correct from inside their apartment, so we out in the world were seeing all the flags from the back side with the blue field at the upper right. Not in the news, but definitely stupid, probably an MFer, and riding the short bus, not the omnibus.

Tonight I also learned they’re also now selling red white and blue dripping icicle lights where each “drip” changes color as it slides down the “icicle”. Our hero had a bunch of those going too.

The fact all this stuff is made in Communist China just makes me grin.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6138 "2025-12-09T02:25:19Z")

</div>

Where’s Communist China? Is that a tiny island off the coast of Capitalist China, or something?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6139 "2025-12-09T02:51:11Z")

</div>

Anyway, if I may hijack this thread about flag etiquette with a story about some stupid MFers in the news;

A PS5 reboot of _Postal_, the cult classic ‘90s FPS, has been canceled two days after it was announced, after the developer put out a blatantly AI-generated trailer, lied about it, then admitted it the next day and announced they were shutting down due to their having irreparably destroyed their brand.

> **[AI Accusations Killed a PS5, PS4 Game in Two Days, and the Studio Behind It...](https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/12/ai-accusations-killed-a-ps5-ps4-game-in-two-days-and-the-studio-behind-it-is-shutting-down)**
>
> Postal: Bullet Paradise ain't happening

[![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mhjr2i4ttzwnvicmqgebjsyp/bafkreic6iffxqy2qhdopdbm65qeezuqt4da6ofxdnlrf7cw5o3h7c2pdm4@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mhjr2i4ttzwnvicmqgebjsyp/bafkreic6iffxqy2qhdopdbm65qeezuqt4da6ofxdnlrf7cw5o3h7c2pdm4@jpeg)

[![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mhjr2i4ttzwnvicmqgebjsyp/bafkreie5wo2vz6uox4gikq7bbz4jgederqe5zb66khqvgqmtzkgmaewt54@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mhjr2i4ttzwnvicmqgebjsyp/bafkreie5wo2vz6uox4gikq7bbz4jgederqe5zb66khqvgqmtzkgmaewt54@jpeg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/6140 "2025-12-09T02:56:23Z")

</div>

> [@Chronos](#):
>
> Where’s Communist China? Is that a tiny island off the coast of Capitalist China, or something?

I get your point.

I was using what should be the snarl term all the patriotic true blue American MAGAnuts ought to be using. Them sending all their dollars over there ought to be viewed as unpatriotic by the right. Or at least ought to be if they had any logical consistency to their thoughts and behaviors.

Sorry if that sorta-sarcasm was a bit too subtle.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=306)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=308)
