Flags at half staff issues

I raised this issue last week when I saw the PES flag at half staff, and asked why. Apparently, I am not the sole person who felt that flying the flag at half staff for the VT victims, as tragic as it was, was inappropriate.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Army sergeant complained in a rare opinion article that the U.S. flag flew at half-staff last week at the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan for those killed at Virginia Tech but the same honor is not given to fallen U.S. troops here and in Iraq.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070423/ap_on_re_mi_ea/afghanistan_flag_complaint_2

 

It was inappropriate. But that's what inappropriate Presidents do.

The Flag Code does not give the President the authority to issue the order at will and he did so with disregard, or ignorance, to the rule. I believe it was the later. Flying the flag at half staf is a memorial salute. Everytime a politician pulls a grand stand attempt for recognition by doing it, they degrade it's significance. Just goes to show how much "real" military service our President did complete.

Here's the rule:
FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF: The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, "by order of the President", the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possesion, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

http://www.legion.org/?section=our_flag&subsection=flag_code&content=flag_code

 

People just don't really understand what is appropriate for the flag to be half staff or mast. A couple of years ago, when the CEO of McDonalds Corp. passed away, restaurants across the country lowered their flags to half staff without any federal recognition. Today, its more than likely about politics.

There are those that criticize President Bush about his decisions (and I don't agree with some of them) but then also ridicule him for the perception that he was slow to address the Katrina aftermath, when in fact...by tradition, presidents have not responded in a personal, public manner as is expected in this day and age.

The television media outlets and internet drives all this stuff. They report on-scene, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People have a heightened sense of expectation of what they feel is appropriate and inappropriate. If the government does not order the flags at half staff, people ask 'why not?' If they do make the call to do so, others ask 'how come?'

 

You nutjobs think it's okay to burn a flag, but complain over how it's displayed?

The amazement never ends.

 

Whoooooooosshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


sound of reality going over your head

 

Just,

Yes, I care a great deal as to how the flag is displayed, and treated. I also abhorringly support someone's burning it as a form of protest, with a few caveats. Don't try it in my yard.
As a soldier who has earned the right to have a flag draped coffin, a member of the ACLU and the American Legion, I am quite sure how the conversation plays.
So tell me, why did the President act to prevent the viewing of flag draped coffins returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, yet jump so quickly to order the flags at half staff for VT? Seems to me that in the former, he was taking political hits because those coffins are reminders of his failed policies, and the VT show was to try to fool the populace into thinking that he cares about us.

 

Now that one I haven't heard about.... when did this start?

 

From day one in his Nation Building efforts.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/23/bush.caskets/

 

The American Flag

I had to say this because I do not understand...Years ago you would never see an American Flag Flying after it got dark outside. Now they are everywhere. And the bad thing about it is they are so worn out and look so terrible, that it saddens me. I was a Girl Scout leader for 15 years and it was an honor for our troop to receive an American Flag from our local Fire Department. At each meeting we had the Flag Ceremony and said the Pledge of Allegiance, and Prayer. When we went camping, first thing in the morning we would have our Flag Ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, and Prayer before we would start our day. Then before dusk, we would take it down. It was an honor for the girls to carry and raise that flag or to belong in the color guard at each ceremony. Each girl had the opportunity tobe a part of this. I do not know how things work now, but I see far too many flags that are in terrible shape, flying at night. Did things change or what? I thought that was the way it should be?

 

There was a change in outlook. The flag flew in combat at all times and that brought about the view that it should be allowable to fly at any and all times as the symbol it is. The requirement for flying the flag after dark is that it should be lighted from dusk on. However, the flag should never be allowed to become tattered in normal use. There was a thread at one time highlighting those who were doing the right thing and the wrong thing when flying their flags.

 

9 soldiers kiiled in Iraq due to car bombs currently being reported. Do the 9 add up to earn their flag? OR, did they have the misfortune to serve in a military lead by a CinC who is in denial?

 

Just heard on NPR that they were all from Fort Bragg :-(

 

More Flag Info

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

A great deal of info on our US Flag.

 

Kel,
thanks for the link. Always good reading!
H6

 

i believe that after 9/11 many people who would have never flown an American Flag have been doing it and yet, while they may not be following the explicit rules, is it wrong that at least they are flying the flag whereas before it was a rarity at homes?

 

Kaci,

Depends on why they fly it, IMO. Some do because they see themselves as patriots. Some as a way to be included among "us", whomever us is...I know of a couple of businesses that have jumped onto the patriotic limelight to make their businesses more palatable to those who see shopping at places displaying a flag as supporting the good old US of A. Kind of like Bragg Blvd, writ large.

While I laud those who display the flag appropriately, the "sunshine" patriots give me cause for wonder.

If only this was the first step taken, on a dedicated journey to being a good citizen, I would enjoy it as part of a growth process. For many, I fear, flying a flag is all they'll ever do. I'd be more impressed if they'd only read the Constitution. I believe that if a person consciously reads the Constitution, and tries to place that document within the context of how to ensure liberty, more people would become proactive citizens.

Do they teach anything, in depth, about the Declaration or the Constitution in the public schools?

 

Good point H6. On another note, you have stated you are part of the American Legion. Just curious if they have the "Daughters of Legionaires", actually called the Ladies Auxiliary group down here? i was a member in VA for as long as i could remember since my Dad was a very active member of the Legion there.

 

Not by a long shot. Look at the ignorance over the Bill of Rights. How many people on this message board (and others) write about how poor Don Imus had the right to free speech, that it is part of the first amendment. Basic knowledge about the bill of rights would have nipped that in the bud, since the governement was not trying to shut Imus down. Even today, I heard someone say on the Neil Boortz show how Imus' free speech rights had been violated.

How many people think our form of government is a democracy? That should tell you enough about what is taught in public schools.

 

Hmmm, maybe you should have been at your daughter's presentation: From the thread on Don Imus:

 

What the hell, have you had your coffee today???? :?