Letter to Editor: Flag at half-staff

Calaveras Enterprise ^ | 04-07-09 | M. Bottoni

[onceone]

"The killings of the Oakland police officers generated many displays of sympathy, respect, and grieving. Unfortunately, the event also showed a great deal of ignorance and/or disrespect for the symbol of this nation, our national flag."

[onceone]

The reason I posted this is due to the comments readers have made at the supplied link. The paper is located about 1 1/2 hour driving time SE of Sacramento in the Gold Country of California.

I guess I hit a nerve. :-)

[Timeout]

I posted a reply to those putting Michael down.

I’m at work so had to write it quickly. Wish I’d had more time.

[Logirl]

You are correct, onceone. Some years ago there was a boating accident in the Snake River, and a couple people drowned when the boat flipped. The American Flag flew at half staff over Jackson Lake Lodge, a National Park property. I asked the front desk clerk who died. He didn’t know, but thought it might be in memory of the Snake River deaths. Once I returned home I emailed the office of the National Park Service. The individual who responded, (can’t remember the name) apologized for the error and said the hotel had been instructed in proper flag etiquette.

Of course, deaths of any kind are terrible, especially the police officers in California. May God be with their families. The governor is not authorized to do what he did.

[onceone]

Thanks for the support. Some seem to miss the boat, and get rather personally nasty.

[onceone]

Good for you in correcting a similar situation. We need to speak up. The Governor could have had the CA flag lowered in an appropriate display of respect.

[chuckles]

I also sent a reply to the poster in his support. We have to take emotion out of our decisions and follow the law. If they don't like the law, have a debate and change the law. AIG was legally due their APROVED bonus's. It hit a nerve and mob rule took over. Not even 2 weeks later the Fanny and Freddie bonus's were paid and not even a peep because Frank Raines would have to puke back his $90 million, possibly be charged with fraud, and he might not get to be one of Obama’s advisers.

We are supposed to be a nation of laws, but we have become a nation of mob rule.