Christie orders flags in N.J. be flown at half-staff for Springsteen saxophonist Clarence Clemons

nj.com ^ | June 21, 2011 | Ginger Gibson/Statehouse Bureau The Star-Ledger

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TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on Thursday in honor of E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons "in special recognition of his contributions to the state, people, and culture of New Jersey."

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"... I was struck with an overwhelming feeling that the days of my youth were now finally over. My condolences to Clarence's family and all the members of the E Street Band.”

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Christie is an avid Springsteen fan and has attended 125 concerts...

[skeeter]

Bruce will issue a snarky, highly politicized response any moment.

[Second Amendment First]

"in special recognition of his contributions to the state, people, and culture of New Jersey."

Would he do the same for Snooki?

[HereInTheHeartland]

Giving the big man the same recognition as those who died defending our nation?
That isn’t right....

[fwdude]

This is ridiculous.

Someone important dies every week. We are going to have permanent half-staffed flags if this keeps up.

Mourning events that call for the dramatic observance of half-staff should be limited to only the infrequent passing of a high official or a significant national crisis.

[DJ MacWoW]

I disagree with this. I don’t believe an entertainer deserves such an honor.

[who knows what evil?]

The U.S. flag..? Outrageous.

The New Jersey flag..? Perhaps.

[Mr. Lucky]

What you said.

[texaschick]

Seems like his statement to the family would have been enough.

[texaschick]

Totally agree with you.

[maddog55]

They don’t recognize those who died for defending the nation so it’s even more disgusting.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I agree. Mr. Clemons was very talented, but this is an honor that should be reserved for heroes and patriots of great achievement.

[EyeGuy]

“Christie is an avid Springsteen fan and has attended 125 concerts...”

#######

Avid?

Sounds like an obsession.

[free me]

I agree. This is wrong.

A Soldier from NJ was killed in action a couple of days ago. Haven’t heard from the Gov on that yet.

[savedbygrace]

Bad call, guv.

[Nik Naym]

That’s ridiculous.

The Gov. just devalued the meaning of lowering the flag.

I guess a flag at half-staff doesn’t mean much in NJ any more.

[ZX12R]

Stupid.

[nuconvert]

He can do whatever he wants with the NJ flag.
The U.S. flag is another matter.

[Tex-Con-Man]

Of all the things to be outraged about...this doesn’t qualify.

[thereverendjim04]

I just sent this to the Governor:

Governor Christie;

I was distressed to read that you felt it appropriate to order all flags flown at half staff in memorial of the passing of Mr. Clemons.

I would like to point out that the US Flag Code states that:

“’’The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. 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, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. 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.”

I do not see “musicians” included there.

I am also wondering why Mr. Clemons is deemed worthy of this honor when the following (and many more) were not:

Army Sgt. James W. Harvey II
June 20, 2011
Army 1st Lt. Omar J. Vazquez
April 22, 2011
Army Spec. Ryan A. Gartner
February 1, 2011
Army Spc. Benjamin G. Moore
January 12, 2011
Army Sgt. Michael D. Kirspel Jr.
October 27, 2010
Marine Lance Cpl. Francisco R. Jackson
October 19, 2010