How have the courts interpreted the meaning of the American flag?

²² See United States v. Otherson, 637 F.2d 1276, 1285 (9th Cir. 1980) (Pregerson, J., Ferguson, J., Norris, J.) ("The message of this case is clear. So long as the American flag flies over the United States courthouses, the federal courts and the federal justice system stand as bulwarks to assure that every human being within the jurisdiction of the United States shall be treated humanely and dealt with in accordance with due process of law by those entrusted with the power to enforce the law.").