A signal flag?

When I first saw the finalists for the new state flag designs what immediately popped into my head was “signal flags.” A signal flag is used for long distance communication, and they are deliberately simple geometric designs. The drawback to a signal flag is you have to memorize what they mean as they are so simplified. As a designer myself I know it is hard to simplify and one can easily go too far.

Members of the State Emblems Redesign Commission selected this design for a new official Minnesota state flag on Tuesday, Dec.19, 2023. It’s inspired by a submission from a Minnesota resident. (Courtesy of the State Emblems Redesign Commission

The proposed new flag is so simplified it has no meaning, and nothing that identifies it with Minnesota: The state is not named (26 states have their name on their flag), nor is the state motto (30 states), nor the state seal (seven states) on the new design. The state bird, the state flower and the state tree are left out. As to the star: 23 other states have stars on their flags so this hardly distinguishes our state. The royal blue area on the left of the design is meant to depict our unusual state shape. All I can say is a lot of our real estate has been lopped off to get that shape, particularly the northwestern and northern counties. Would it really have been so bad to include an accurate silhouette of the shape of our state?

The commission to design our new state flag was also tasked with designing a new state seal. Here they hit it outta the park! The proposed new seal has the state name in both English and Dakota languages, plus our beloved state bird is shown in the center of the seal. Minnesota’s natural beauty is depicted in waves and trees while our agricultural richness (wheat? wild rice?) is displayed in an arching spray on the left side of the design. This design is so well done it could grace a flag.

One thing the new design has going for it: It will be cheap to produce. And since there is a built-in required market for the new design (it will have to fly on government buildings across the state) the state will make money.  And those who don’t like the new design will probably rush to buy the current design (already happening), thus getting rid of inventory.

This choice is not set in stone yet. Our Legislature has to vote to accept it. If you don’t like the design contact your legislator and voice your opinion. We can send it back to the drawing board. The “deadline” is artificial. Wouldn’t it be better to spend a little more time on a design that is supposed to last the next hundred years or so?

Cindy Thury Smith, Hastings

What are we doing to promote small business?

It’s sad to see another business closing on Grand Avenue. Salut is closing this month, joining Pottery Barn and Anthropologie among others. It will take a long time to fill these spaces.

Although it’s easy to blame an out-of-state landlord, this situation didn’t happen overnight. It begs the question, what have our city leaders been doing to promote and support small businesses in St. Paul? Most recently they passed an additional sales tax, which makes operating a business less profitable.

Let’s think back to a previous administration that encouraged business development, providing real job growth in our city. They envisioned and succeeded in bringing NHL hockey, along with a state-of-the-art arena which revitalized downtown and energized St. Paul. They demonstrated what big thinking and strong leadership can accomplish.

John Otteson, St. Paul

More questions to consider

In response to the recent letter, “No Immunity needed” I do not intend to misconstrue the writer’s points, but rather add to the facts with questions readers should ask themselves:

Was it also stated “March down to the Capitol and fight like hell”?
Were any people killed in this “peaceful assembly”?
Was there a leader in charge who could have stopped the people who were not being peaceful? (Not waiting over two hours.)

At this point I find it very difficult to support either of the two major political parties.

This issue reminds me of a line in a song from 40+ years ago:

“A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest,” from the Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel

Kevin Jorgenson, Cottage Grove

It’s the behavior that counts

I have over the years read letters to the Pioneer Press. I am well aware each writer tries to persuade and enhance their point of view. A recent letter lamented the Colorado Supreme Court decision to ban Mr. Trump from the state presidential ballot. The letter writer felt this was an errant decision because Mr. Trump was not indicted on or found guilty of an insurrection.

There is nowhere in the 14th Amendment, Section 3, that states that indictment and guilt of an insurrection is a requisite for disqualification to run for the presidency.  Rather, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states that a candidate “shall not have engaged in insurrection or rebellion.” The disqualification is based on the  behavior: aiding and abetting an insurrection.

It is of further interest that the 14th Amendment was written and enacted by a Republican Congress in 1866 and ratified in 1868 by the states. The purpose of the Amendment, post Civil War, was to promote equal protection for all and to ban former Confederate officials who were involved in sedition from running for federal political office.

Geri Minton, Roseville

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