America. Land of the stupid.

I don't know about the rest of you, but seeing the American flag flying in another country (Iraq and Afghanistan notwithstanding) has never made me want to immigrate illegally to that country. However, I've appreciated seeing it as it is a generally pleasant reminder of home.

The fine people in Gainesvile, Florida, though--specifically the Board at Gainesville High School--ascribe a lot more power to flags. Apparently the display of a foreign flag will cause people from that country to migrate illegally to the United States. Who knew?

Anyway, I'm not going to bore you with a grand polemic about the stupidity or ignorance of some people in this country. I would suggest, though, that you read the story and let me know if you think they were right.

The story can be found here. Happy reading. Just try to control yourself if you ever see the American flag flying in another country. They *really* don't want you to move there.

She'll be slathered in mustard and carried down the midway

From NCTimes.com:

By: PATRICK WRIGHT - Staff Writer

CARLSBAD ---- Fredrica Thode, Hot Dog on a Stick's president and chief executive officer known for her commitment to employees, died recently. She was 64.

Thode (pronounced Toad-ee) died Jan. 13 after battling an advanced case of Lou Gehrig's disease, or Amyothophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Thode, a Vista resident, spent 27 years with Hot Dog on a Stick, based in Carlsbad. Often referred to as Freddie, she became president of the 61-year-old company in 2001. The company has more than 100 locations that serve lemonade and hot dogs on a stick dipped in cornbread batter.

One company employee said Thode believed that taking care of employees was the key to taking care of customers. She was also known for her garden containing 400 roses. In Thode's honor, Hot Dog on a Stick made a $10,000 donation to the San Diego chapter of the ALS association.

Dan Smith, the company's chief operating officer, becomes the company's new president. No one has been named chief executive officer, according to a release.

Contact staff writer Patrick Wright at (760) 739-6675 or pwright@nctimes.com.