Here in Fairbanks Alaska we have had several killings over the extended middle finger. The most recent I know of the bird flipper was followed to his place of work by the enraged flippee. The flippee showed the flipper his bowie knife and said, "see this old man?". Well the flipper was a feisty old man and they ended up fighting. Of course the giant bald tattooed ex-con with a bowie knife gutted him like a fish. Flippee is now back in prison doing 3 years.
Things like flipping the bird, the finger across under the chin, pointing a gun finger and whatever else out there really are potent signs. I was joking with LoveBlue but signs of that nature are powerful and meaningful.
I know the context of the story is about children and the absurdity of punishing children playing shoot em' up bang bang. As a naturally warlike sort of guy it has been a lifelong challenge for me to stay out of trouble. I am not alone. To my mind guys like me are not much different than pitbulls. With proper training we are truly good ,, without? Whoa..