14 Comments
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Jeff Smyth's avatar

Super interesting article. Sometimes we need a historian to remind us of what came before the current swirling maelstrom of social media “knowledge”. Thanks Dan!

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Jack Blackstone's avatar

Enjoyable article. Learned a lot. Don't assume the folks that voted for Trump are "Trump supporters"... a world of difference.

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Dan Gardner's avatar

Indeed.

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Ivan Kraljevic's avatar

Pray tell, what's the difference?

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Dan Gardner's avatar

For me, I’d say people vote for a candidate for many different reasons, often quite superficial and ephemeral. “Supporters” are people whose affiliation continues over time and is usually much deeper.

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Ivan Kraljevic's avatar

I suppose you're right.

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The Savvy Museum Visitor's avatar

Very intriguing and informative! As someone who grew up in Detroit, across the river from Canada, I enjoyed the Canadian connections.

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Cath Millage's avatar

Another great vexillology lesson! Thank you. ❤️🇨🇦

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Jim Maclean's avatar

To further confuse your neighbours, why not fly the state flag of Hawaii? Another great dweeby column!

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Daniel Thorpe's avatar

As a fellow dweeb, I enjoyed this deep dive very much. But, as a dweeb, I must call out your use of Mr Harper's former office in your, "sorry, prime minister," comment. In the Westminster system Prime Minister is an office, and you should only be addressed as such while you hold it. (Unlike titles, such as "King" or "President", which are held for life.) Now that he's out of office it would be more correct to say: "The Right Honourable Stephen Harper" or "the "former prime minister". (Hmm... Which, to be fair, might be what you meant by putting "prime minister" in lower case.)

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Dan Gardner's avatar

Can’t say I thought about it when I wrote it. But as someone who breaks out into hives when I hear Americans use their silly convention (once an X, always an X) I support your pedantic intervention and consider myself chastised.

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Tom Coyne's avatar

Vexillology for 100, please. The Grand Union flag, which was the first flag of the US. Nice! I agree with Jim that Hawaii should be up next.

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Dan Gardner's avatar

Hawaii’s story is pretty straightforward. It’s really only interesting in that it managed to survive the transition from British rule to statehood.

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Ray's avatar

My understanding is that the Hawaiian flag was a gift from Captain Cook to the King of Hawaii. Some time later, the British tried to take it back, but the King of Hawaii told them to piss off.

Great column. I enjoy these turns to nerdery!

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