I took this picture of my TV at about 6:31 PM January 20th, 2004.

The conspiracy theorist in me was wondering what the matching flag pins on 43 and his VP meant anything. I asked a military officer about it, and he replied:

>

>I think the extent of the coincidence is that [they] have chosen to

>wear a lapel-pin consisting of only the American flag. In the surge of

>post-9/11 patriotism, a lot of people (particularly in government) have

>taken to wearing American flag lapel pins when making public appearances

>or having official photographs taken. Gradually, the pins have been

>disappearing -- but given the political message that President Bush wants

>to convey, I'm not surprised that he and VP Cheney are wearing the pins.

>

>Once you decide to wear an American flag lapel pin, there are pretty much

>three variants -- "straight flag" (which is what they appear to be wearing

>in the 2004 picture), "wavy flag" (which is what they appeared to have

>worn at the 2003 State of the Union), and "crossed flag" (where the

>American flag's staff is crossed with that of another flag).

>

>

So there you have it!