The words I quoted are from the Code. It is not specious.
The flag should not be put in a position where it is easily soiled; so stated in Code. Putting it on the rear as many of our firetrucks do (never mind others including plain p/u’s) is blatantly putting it in harm’s way with exhaust, dirt spray from rear tires, and touching other dirty items (such as the vehicle itself), e.g.
That is what I am on about.
I know it is not his intention, nor is it many others’. However, it still puts the flag in a bad position, including “in the back”, rather than out in front as they really should be.
I think the minor changes in ‘76 and so on did not go far enough. It is obvious what the historical meaning was, and has gotten a bit lost with the “new words”.
The code doesn’t say exhaust swirling around - it says nothing about exhaust....that is your misapplication. Heavens - according to your standard you couldn’t carry a flag in a parade, because of all the exhaust swirling around.
A standard tenet of law and logic is this: the specific supersedes the general. In this case “in danger of being soiled” and “torn” are general. The specific naming of the position on the pickup is....specific. Except for the side he put it on - a clear violation of the code about which you are silent - the kid was fine.
C’mon, quit making things up. The bed of a pickup is specifically mentioned in my cite. Also, may I refresh your memory about the proper placement of the “ensign” on a boat:
“Generally, the national ensign should be displayed at the peak of the gaff, i.e., the outer end of the spar extending aft from the mast of your boat—if your boat has a gaff. If it does not, fly it from the flagstaff at your boat’s stern. If your boat has an overhanging boom or an outboard motor, your flagstaff may be offset to starboard (preferably) from your boat’s centerline.”
Aft means behind, stern means rear. And speaking of exhaust....