Letter to the editor: flag should not be flown at half-staff indefinitely

14 thoughts on “Letter to the editor: flag should not be flown at half-staff indefinitely”

1. l due respect, your statement is incorrect. Although you may have undeniable feelings on this matter, the Governor is, and has the authority.
   The United States flag flies at half-staff (or half-mast) when the nation or a state is in mourning. The president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff. Most often, this is done to mark the death of a government official, military member, or first responder; in honor of Memorial Day or other national day of remembrance; or following a national tragedy.

   • Kurt here is the flag code. It does not give the Governor the authority to order the flag lowered for anyone other than those listed. She does not have the same authority as the President. 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 possession, 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 instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

2. The **president** may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the **president**may order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events.
   https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf

   It seems our governor has, again, overstepped her authority.

   • According to law, the flag may be flown half-mast “Upon Presidential proclamation or proclamation by your state’s governor.”
     This is so not the time to nit pick and play politics.
     Let’s please pull together to keep each other safe and defeat this virus.

3. Agree

   • The Governor does not have the same authority as the President. See my answer above or google US Flag code.

4. Over reaching is a habit of most in power. They serve at the peoples pleasure…remember that when you give them consent with your vote

5. The Governor has done nothing wrong in regard to the flag. We should focus on EVERYONE staying safe at present.

   One could opine that the flag should be flown upside down as a symbol of national distress given the questionable performance of the the President since the start of the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

   • Agree

   • Bill this was not a political post,but one of reverence and tradition. Its a shame you couldn’t keep it that way.

6. Given the number of “casualties” from Covid-19, both in Michigan and Nationally, the flag flying at half-staff for one hour per person of the 88,000+ souls lost would equal over 10 years. So I would say indefinitely for now is not a big deal. 88,000+ hours = over 10 years…that’s only ONE HOUR per person who has died. I’m good with that.

   • So you’re okay with the honoring the murdering convicts and rapers in prison who may have died from covis?

   • Why aren’t we honoring the 250,000 people who died of heart disease since COVID started? The 180,000 people who died of cancer in the last four months? How about Sgts. Javier Gutierrez and Antonio Rodriguez, killed in Afghanistan? The eleven thousand people killed in US traffic accidents so far this year? Why not just fly it at half-staff permanently to honor the 6,500 people that die *every day* in the US? Why not fly it at half-staff every time there’s an addition to the “obituary” section of Chelsea Update?

     Because it dilutes the honor. If everyone is special, no one is special. It becomes a participation trophy instead of the solemn, uncommon occurrence it should be.

7. I support our governor’s actions on most matters related to her politics and the pandemic response. I don’t think flying the flag at half staff as a result of a national scourge is an appropriate gesture, however, and it cheapens the symbolism of a civic honor. Using Gretchen’s logic, I would have flown the flag at half staff when our current president got elected with less than a popular vote. Like I said, it cheapens the symbol.

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