[Ben Dover]

Flying the flag at half staff has been overused. The flag has been flown at half staff 90% of the time this year. If I were to ask someone why it is at half staff, 90% would not be able to tell me why.

[mountainfolk]

This has become one of my pet peeves. There is supposed to be a US flag protocol. Whatever it is seems to have been lost or overlooked. The US flag is being used for political purposes and is half mast so often that one never knows why. Individual states should restrict flying half mast for locals and celebrities but govt mandates on fed bldgs should be only for national reasons, and restricted to the length of time flown.