The flag should never be displayed with the union down,
except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
—THE FLAG CODE, Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10, § 176 (a).
As amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress, approved July 7, 1976.
I am posting this on my weblog in opposition to The Patriot Act, which represents an extreme danger to the life, property and liberty of all persons living in the United States.

deanocturne, thank you. Original post is here with html to clip. Via gynocide.

A good addition might be the marine signal for “Not under power, not under control, not under command”, which is also known by the slang term “Panamanian Running Lights”. It’s used as a warning to other vessels to keep clear, since this ship cannot maneuver and is not being properly steered.