Has the Raised Middle Finger Replaced the Eagle as our National Bird?

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Press: "A federal judge this week ruled that a Regent Square man did not violate the law when he flipped off a motorist and a Pittsburgh police officer, who cited him for disorderly conduct."

The court wrote that: "The United States Supreme Court has long recognized that non-verbal gestures and symbols may be entitled to First Amendment protection . . . Moreover, several courts, including federal and state courts in Pennsylvania, have found that the expressive use of the middle finger is protected speech under the First Amendment."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_617562.html.

Are you listening Patrick Suiter?

SCOIDBlog, of course, always maintains the very highest level of propriety and does not approve of such vulgarity. Nevertheless, to paraphrase Voltaire: While I do not agree with your decision to flip it, I'll defend to reasonable lengths your right to flip. (OT: "Flip It" would be an excellent name for a Michael Jackson tribute song especially since "We are the Weird" has already been taken.)