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Flag At Half Staff For WHO?
- Thread starter electracoyote
- Start date
- Status
Agree or disagree, it's legal and not unprecedented.
--------------------- SNIP! -----------------------------
Only the president of the United States or the governor of the state may order the flag to be at half-staff to honor the death of a national or state figure.
In addition to the traditional half-staff salutes when proclaimed by the President, the Flag Code mentions the use of our Flag for honoring citizens who have died, especially government officials and prominent citizens. However, the Flag Code does not exclude any citizen, whether they belong to an organization or not, whether they are recognized very locally or regionally. Examples of deceased citizens that might be honored with by lowering the Flag to half-staff include local religious leaders, youth leaders, honored teachers or sports coaches, local politicians, or a local hero. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-government) to use the Flag to honor any citizen. It is important to note that the Flag Code is a code, it is intended to provide guidance and is not obligatory. It carries no civil or criminal penalties for "misuse" of the Flag. Individual are not acting illegally when using the Flag according to their own usage. Only on government / public building is the flag code required to be followed.
--------------------- SNIP! -----------------------------
Only the president of the United States or the governor of the state may order the flag to be at half-staff to honor the death of a national or state figure.
In addition to the traditional half-staff salutes when proclaimed by the President, the Flag Code mentions the use of our Flag for honoring citizens who have died, especially government officials and prominent citizens. However, the Flag Code does not exclude any citizen, whether they belong to an organization or not, whether they are recognized very locally or regionally. Examples of deceased citizens that might be honored with by lowering the Flag to half-staff include local religious leaders, youth leaders, honored teachers or sports coaches, local politicians, or a local hero. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-government) to use the Flag to honor any citizen. It is important to note that the Flag Code is a code, it is intended to provide guidance and is not obligatory. It carries no civil or criminal penalties for "misuse" of the Flag. Individual are not acting illegally when using the Flag according to their own usage. Only on government / public building is the flag code required to be followed.
I don't have a problem with it. She was far from perfect, but at least she really nailed the Star Spangled Banner at a time when it really meant something right after 9/11.
Could be worse. Just imagine how it's going to be in Britain (and to a lesser degree, in the U.S.) when Elton John kicks the bucket.
I don't see why this is a surprise in a country where the 40th president was an actor, anyway.
I don't see why this is a surprise in a country where the 40th president was an actor, anyway.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I assume they'll treat it the same way that they do any time a queen of England dies...
So, actor (who served our country as President), publicly self-destructive crack-head, what's the dif?
LMAO!
Personally, I draw the line at poor role model crack heads when it comes to anything half mast.
I may disagree with how our country is run at times, and Im no nationalist or anything, but I do love me some good ole US of A!
Admittedly, the analogy isn't close at all. I was just merely pointing out how revered entertainers are in the western world.
Anything for votes, right!?! I just find it funny how this is the second "star", who was publicly ridiculed and made fun of for years because of their actions, dies, and then is celebrated like nothing happened and they were infallible.
Ah...gotcha.
I will always vividly remember Whitney singing The National Anthem on TV. I watched it live, and it was stunning, like a supernova explosion happening right before your eyes. If her career had slowly faded into obscurity with no personal drama, that would be one thing.
Her passing saddened, but did not surprise me. For decades, DECADES, she engaged in a losing struggle to conquer addiction.
A sports team is remembered not only for its wins, but its losses. The whole record. And, unfortunately, sometimes the failures tarnish the success.
An entertainer is remembered largely the same way.
Not sure how I feel about a patriotic ritual, something I consider one of the highest honors for the deserving few, being used in this instance.
She was from Jersey originally, so i can understand Christie's wanting to honor her.
However, i totally agree with you about real fallen heroes. they aren't honored properly.
Real patriots only live in Tennessee? For what it is worth, fighting in war is not the only way you can honor your country. Musicians are cultural ambassadors that reach people and touch hearts and minds in a way no one with a gun can ever dream of doing. At that level, Whitney was a great ambassador for the United States. I would also note that being a veteran does not mean a person cannot also be caught up in drugs and other illegal behavior.
Too often, we only give veterans a parade and make a public display of thanking them for their service while leaving them hanging when it comes to readjusting to civilian life. I say this as the son of a man who was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and who did two tours of Vietnam, only to retire and never really find the success that a man of his talent deserved after serving his country for close to thirty years.
Similarly, we love a great entertainer while watching them self-destruct, only to honor them ceaselessly once he or she dies.
I dont know Doctor... I have a hard time accepting a crack addict as "a great ambassador for the United States"... maybe in her pre-crack days.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
C'mon...that last 'world' tour she did was awesome musical diplomacy...right up to when they cancelled it because her voice was so ravaged that masses were demanding their money back.
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