[TalnSG]

From an artistic, graphic point of view, I think the Rising Sun is excellent.

Even so, it is not my first response when seeing it. It has negative connotations for most of the world outside of Japan because of the military actions that took place under it. And for me it also reminds me of the warped mentality when when Japanese-Americans were interred and the sadness of an era coming to an end with the debasement of Hirohito.

There are only two other flags I have such strong negative reactions to - the Stars and Bars and the Swastika. All three remind my of bigotry, torture and genocide. The Stars and Bars did not mean that when it was used in the Civil War. It became that emblem in the hands of cowards wearing white hoods while commiting their atrocities..