They were the best of flags, they were the worst of flags....

https://universe.byu.edu/2015/01/17/best-and-worst-of-city-flags-across-america/ 

This is a link to one writer's list of the best and worst of America's city flags. I don't agree with her "best" choices, but the "worst" flags are just awful.

I don't think she got the memo, because some of her "good" examples don't respect the vexillological standards of what constitutes a good flag.  Not using text (mottos, city names, etc.) or reproducing "busy" city seals, for example.  

Does it matter?  I for one am all for finding exceptions, and these "rules" are more like aesthetic guidelines.  The 5 rules are actually self-evident, once you've read them.  They confirm my inkling that genius is often merely stating the obvious in simple terms, about things which only become obvious after the stating.  We all knew it, somehow, but we just weren't aware we knew.  And like apes to space shuttles in terms of the distance twixt having a vague grunt of recognition and an actual articulation....

Indeed, the flags she likes which use text would indeed be much more effective without it!  Indeed.  Did I mention indeed?)

(Those 5 "rules" were enunciated by Ted Kaye in Good Flag, Bad Flag, legally and happily downloadable here.  The pamphlet is based upon the compiled wisdom of 20-odd leading vexillologists).

BTW, Milwaukee, your trainwreck of a city flag may just outdo that of my hometown, Tampa, in terms of garish suckiness.  But take heart!  Yours may not even be the worst in the list.  Provo?  Jesus wept.*

Enjoy this humorous TED Talk about American cities' flag problem.