It's after reading something like this, that I sit back and say "Thank You" out loud to a man who has long since died.  For had it not been for George Washington, and many other brave men, we might be living in a country like this:

As his sixth birthday approached, Morgan Smith's parents thought hoisting the Jolly Roger would be the perfect way to make the pirate-mad youngster's day.

The flag was duly run up the pole in the back garden, leaving Morgan looking forward to a party on Saturday with lots of friends wearing eyepatches and wielding toy cutlasses.

But little did the family know that out on the treacherous high seas of bureaucracy, trouble was heading their way.

Council officials branded the skull and crossbones flag "unneighbourly" and banned Morgan's parents Richard and Sharon from flying it.

The couple must apply for planning permission at a cost of £75, and then an assessment of the 5ft by 4ft flag's "impact" on the surrounding area of Stone, Staffordshire, will be undertaken.

Thanks to George Washington, we won't be living in that country for at least 5 or so more years when our own United States nannies finally catch up to the "good and common sense" of the British.  At least that's 5 more years of relative freedom.  Via Nobody's Business.