On the wall behind 'Mr. Speaker' in the American Senate Building(?) the flag is reversed, so that the panel with the stars is to the right as you would look at it. Why is this so?
The photo you are referencing must be reversed. All pictures of the Speaker of the House rostrum in the chambers of the House of Representatives show the large flag displayed according to protocol. The field of stars is to the upper left with the flag hung vertically (stripes running up and down)...When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union (stars) should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. (U.S. Flag Protocol)
TV companies and film makers are very good at getting pictures reversed like this. I live with someone who has a continuity fetish, and it's amazing how much this is done when you know what to look for.
For some obscure reason American Army uniforms have the stars + stripes reversed. I noticed it when I was in Bosnia in '95 when I asked why this was, the poor guy couldnt answer me, I recon it was probably a mistake that got passed QA and wasnt noticed till after the US goverment had paid for the job lot