September 08, 2005
HE HAS THE RIGHT, BUT I THINK HE'S WRONG
President Bush ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff "As a mark of respect for the victims of Hurricane Katrina".
I understand that the President has broad discretionary powers in this arena, but I don't think it's appropriate in this case.
Half-staff should be reserved for honoring the death of specific individuals who, by their government service, did much to honor this country. Presidents, Justices, Congressmen, etc? Yes. I have no problem with that.
To honor international allies facing the loss of one of their great names? Sure. That's what friends are for.
And perhaps even honoring some victims who lost their lives during battles in the War on Terror. Individual soldiers or those who died on 9/11.
But I draw the line at people killed by weather.
Yes, I know President Bush also ordered half-staffing for the victims of the Asian tsunami. He was wrong about that, too.
I think he should keep the lowering of the flag as a gesture of honor - reserved for people and events which define us as a nation.
Using it as a mere "mark of respect" cheapens it.
[Thanks to Beloved Wife TNT of Smiling Dynamite for bringing this to my attention]
» Blog A Title links with: Half-staff Debate.
» basil's blog links with: Lunch: 9/9/2005
» NIF links with: Schwing!
Excerpt: Bush ordered flags at halfstaff in honor of Katrina victims. Though my heart and prayers are with them, I think Harvey best summed up the way I think about it.
Weblog: Blog A Title
Tracked: September 8, 2005 08:17 PM
Excerpt: Try one of these specials with your lunch: Harvey (Bad Example version) says Dubya's right, but wrong. Beth (MY VRWC) Kosses those that didn't leave. Steve (Hog On Ice) says we should do as much as we did for the
Weblog: basil's blog
Tracked: September 9, 2005 11:45 AM
Excerpt: Today's dose of NIF - News, Interesting & Funny ... Another Friday, already in progress
Weblog: NIF
Tracked: September 9, 2005 01:46 PM
Seriously.
There should be a line between respecting the dead and honoring them, and half-staffing should be kept on the "honoring" side of that line.
You should be an expert at "half-staffing" by now... jack-off idiot that you are.
Thus begins the uninformed moonbat rantings. Willie, why not try being constructive in your criticism, or is that just too difficult for small intellect to handle?
I'm completely with you on this one.
I'm still not totally sure about the half-staff for Sept 11th (which is now a "permanent" thing).
Perhaps they are half-staff because of Chief Justice Rehnquist's departure.
Kudos for know it ain't half-mast
Heh - he said "half-staff". heh.
btw, Harv your blog has been slow lately.
Sean - Actually, Madfish Willie isn't a troll. He's one of my blogsons whose schtick is being a crotchety old grouch. Just give it right back to him.
Madfish - and YOU would be an expert on "quarter-staffing", mister micro-manhood :-P
Ogre - I'm kinda wobbly on that one myself. Although it's technically war-related, and I don't have a problem with honoring war heroes, it's still the top of the slippery slope - honoring victims.
Don - Half-staff vs. half mast:
http://www.usa-flag-site.org/faq/half-staff.shtml
_Jon - yeah, I know :-(
Been gone a couple o' days...
Sean...Sean...Sean.... Luckily for you, Herbey just saved you from a savage verbal beat-down!
E-Mail Me (Harvey)
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