Yes, in Azores last year marina regulations stated that you had to fly the Azorean regional flag on pain of a fine. I think I paid about 10 euros for one.
Yours was a serious post and I think that the answer to your question is, that we were brought up reading Treasure Island, where all the pirates were loveable rogues. Not like the murdering scum who exist in real life.
Fly whatever keeps the kids interested - thats the most important thing. Who will you upset? No one that matters just a few BOFs and rather more POFs (pompous variety)
Dont forget to bury some treasure before they start digging, and dont try persuading them that there's some treasure in that overgrown veg patch. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif