[the OlLine Rebel]

So this morning our radio news reports that our MD Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags half-staff for some firefighter, INCLUDING the US flag.

I verified this wasn’t a mistake in reporting because I see the flags every morning driving into work!

How can he do this? Lower the national flag?

I have HUGE problems with the proliferation of flag-lowering in this country since 9/11 seemed to open the floodgates. (My work makes me realize how ludicrous this has become.)

To me, though, this is beyond the pale and outside his authority!

What say you?

[DoubleNickle]

His order will only apply to state buildings — all others will be optional.

[Mr. Lucky]

It’s only an “order” if there’s a penalty for failure to comply.

[Gay State Conservative]

It's hard to see how lowering the flag would violate any US Constitutional provisions. SCOTUS has ruled that you can burn it...so how would they ever rule that you can't lower it?

State laws might be different.

[Sacajaweau]

i think joisey lowered it for a female druggy singer...

[bk1000]

I am sick and tired of seeing the flag lowered. It seems like it is down more than up these days. Stuff is going to happen. There are many crazies in the world today and we shouldn’t lower the flag every time one of them goes off.

[CatOwner]

They should have been lowered in January 2021 and remained there to this day. But that’s just me.

[FoxInSocks]

hmmm. I’m not sure he does have that authority. The Maryland Secretary of State site says:

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Maryland citizens like to know whenever the Governor has declared that flags—both U.S. and State, are to be flown at half-staff. Our flag alert system will automatically notify you via email of any change in flag status.

In response to inquiries we have received, the Office of the Secretary of State would like to explain the recent implementation of Public Law 110-41 [2007]. This federal law authorizes the Governor of a State to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that State who dies while serving on active duty. To further honor the sacrifice of this individual, the Governor has ordered both the United States Flag and the Maryland State Flag flown at half staff.

---

https://sos.maryland.gov/Pages/Services/Flag-Status.aspx

The relevant federal law is at Title 4, Section 7(m).

[goodnesswins]

Well...yes...seems US flag is lowered most of the time in Oregon...When I see it I think of it as a sign of the dying of freedom, and America.

[caver]

Our RINO Governor in Indiana does this quite frequently. I comment about it but, seem to be the only one bothered by it.

[The Great RJ]

Minnesota Governor Walz (D) recently made a similar decree for half staff flags to honor deceased first responders. I think the half staff flag thing has been so overused that it is no longer the special honor it was meant to be. I see half staff flags all the time and have no idea who is being “honored”. It was the rarity of the half staff flag honor that made it special. Let’s just limit the half staff flag to honor deceased US veterans and for the death of a President.