Image by Flickr user skye820Image by 20081126-flag.jpg Traditionally, it's a sign of distress, but it's used more often as a sign of protest.

Businessman Jeff Russo, of Greenville, on why he started flying the flag upside down:
You know what the government told us? Re-educate yourself. Go after new markets. They didn't give us a bailout. I'm trying to represent every small businessman in the country. We don't get bailouts. We're responsible for our business, our employees. The buck stops here. They never have given us a bailout, never will give us a bailout, and we are the backbone of this country.

By doing this I think I am a patriot. I love this country, and I don't want to see it go down the tubes.

Russo's business started bleeding cash after the S.C. textile industry began to contract.