A friend commented to me yesterday about this but I hadn't seen the pictures. He was patently offended. I pointed out to him that one of the hallmarks of Reagan campaigns was pitch perfect understanding of symbology and subliminal messages. The Kerry people seem to be tone deaf and if anything appear do things like this for their own subconscious reasons (i.e., they Do hate the flag).
Old habits die hard.
Back in Kerry's youth, protestors would often lay flags on the ground and walk or throw dirt on them. It was guaranteed to get a reaction.
Kerry seems to have forgotten what that reaction was.