One thing that I have sometimes seen (including at the recent Tea Party manifestation) was the familiar U.S. flag being flown upside-down. This is a distress signal, and it has been suggested that flying the flag in this manner is appropriate since life, liberty and property in the United States are in danger from out-of-control government (see e.g. http://www.jeffhead.com/liberty/flagdistress.htM). In general, I think the less we use the nationalist symbol and false icon of allegiance that is the U.S. flag the better, but i can appreciate displaying it upside-down. Aesthetically I don't find the vertical stripes on the "civilian" flag very appealing compared with the familiar "old glory" flag, and that may have had something to do with it falling out of use -- or maybe it's just me.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))