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I am slightly color challenged, I admit. But even the acutely wavelength sensitive might be forgiven for being a bit confused these days.
Let us see. Red, White and Blue – the colors of the United States of America – or was that France? Or Norway, the Netherlands, and various other sovereign nations. These days Red seems to have been assigned as the color for the Republicans. Or the color of Communists, of revolution? Or the British Army, the forces of oppression? Anyhow, we know Red means Danger, Stop. It is the color of fire engines – except in towns where fire engines are white or yellow.
So Blue has been commandeered by the Democrats. Fair enough, it is after all the coloe of the Colonial army, of righteous revolution. Or of the Union Army suppressing secession. Or the color of police – except the Mounties, who go with Red. It is a poetic color, so many of our bards sing the blues.
So – what is left for White? White Russians – oppposed to the Reds. The French forces under tthe Bourbons – opposed to the Blue of the revolution. But who uses it today? I suppose bluecollar rednecks are Whites – but would they go for it as THEIR color symbol? Ibrahim thinks they might just go for it.
Me, I think we can take White as up for grabs in the USA. Green is claimed, though. Both Blues and Reds here would like to be seen as Green. These days it is probably the best loved political color – not that anybody is really sure what it implies. In flags Green is popular in Muslim countries – Saudi Arabia is a prime example. But here Green is purely secular, with no reference either to St Patrick or to Muhammad. We do not want to drive out the snakes.
There are flags with yellow sectors, but I don’t think there are any all yellow flags, and I don’t believe anybody around here is using it symbolically. A pity – it is a very bright, visible color, and the association in English Yellow >< cowardice is no worse than Blue >< misery and Green >< inexperience or envy. Also, it shares with Blue the merit of standing out for us Daltonists, the ones who see a monochrome [green to me] rose bush until we get close enough to smell the flowers.
All in all, it is not a great way to label political affiliation, even in a clearly two party system. The candidates realize this – with elections coming up, Lulu and I driving through town see all manner of signs, red, blue, blue and yellow, even some green; Face it, sticking to the “official” party colors would not make for very memorable signage. Still, it is better than some of the alternatives – what is the mnemonic value of donkeys and elephants, or tigers in the old days?
I know – we could combine them. Bluebirds and Cardinals. The Bluebird of happiness – not a bad image for the Democrats to embrace. But would either the Republicans or the Vatican be content with the Cardinal? Me, I will just stick with my Raven. Though some may think I am [sorry, Descartes].
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