Flags Ordered to Half-Staff As Mark of Respect For Orlando Shooting Victims

Fox News ^ | 02:10PM, JUNE 12, 2016 | fox 13 staff

[drewh]

President Barack Obama has ordered the lowering of the flag of the United States of America to half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims in a nightclub shooting in Orlando.

The flags are to be lowered June 12 and expected to stay at half-staff until sunset, on June 16. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a similar statement for the flag of the state of Utah and the American Flag in Utah for the same timeline.

[castlegreyskull]

He is torn on both ends.

[Aliska]

They probably will. Gofund me has already raised just under $1,031,436 for the victims.

Christina Gimmie family people have donated $98,615.

[tumblindice]

Mine has been furled since Jan. 2009. Going on eight long years. I’m looking fwd to letting it wave again.

[Jamestown1630]

I don’t recall, when I was growing up, seeing the flag at half-staff for any but statesmen, military heroes, etc. Of course, we didn’t have these kinds of incidents then; but it seems to devalue the gesture to be lowering it for every celebrity death and tragedy that we experience.

-JT

[philman_36]

President Barack Obama has ordered the lowering of the flag of the United States of America to half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims in a nightclub shooting in Orlando.

And will be breaking the law in the process?

4 U.S.C. §7. Position and manner of display

(m) 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.

Where in the law is he allowed to do this?

[Enchante]

I hope that the proceeds of such fund-raising will be well monitored, it is too easy for ppl to commit fraud off the well intended donations of others (just look at the Clintonistas!!)

[beaversmom]

I agree.

Mark Steyn after Paris:
Screw the Candlelight Vigils
http://logicalmeme.com/?p=6533

[Gene Eric]

Don’t recall such a request after Ft Hood.

[EDINVA]

Is he going to light up the White House with the rainbow lights again?

Would this have had the same reaction if the nightclub was a hetero one? I was sickened reading about it early this am before learning it was a “gay nightclub” and its being a “gay nightclub” didn’t move me one way or the other. It was a horror no one wants to imagine.

[philman_36]

...upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government...

Or were they all actually principal figures of the United States Government and we just didn't know it?

[knarf]

BOOJIT ! ! ! ! !

Queers aren't military heros ! ! !

[sockmonkey]

On Flag Day, June 14th, my US Flag will NOT be at half staff.

[ConorMacNessa]

Exactly! The first time I recall Flags being lowered for victims was Lockerbie. I'm sure that there are those here to correct me if I am wrong.

Lowering the Flag to half-mast should be reserved for the passing of heroes and for certain National Holidays, like Memorial Day.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Aliska]

You are so right and bears repeating. I don't know how you screen them. I'm not giving to the ones I mentioned but not because I don't care. I don't know, and they are so high profile that they will get more than some others that touch my heart for whatever reason.

There is so much need; people don't have enough money saved up for tragedies. I thank God that I had what I needed in my time of need and didn't have to ask for donations. I doubt I would have exploited my tragedy for money even if I needed it.

[LeoWindhorse]

if I had a rainbow flag I would fly it at half-staff

[the OlLine Rebel]

Seriously.

I am sick and tired of half-staff for every damn incident that ever happens here.

Also has become standard in our state. Any incident in MD - half-staff.

My God, do they never stop dishonoring our flag/country by this perpetual grief - IOW, weakness? We’re perpetually looking like we’re prostrate. Might as well dip it at the Olympics, too.

Another thing that started with 9/11 and just won’t let go.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Actually, no, since 9/11.

That was exceptional, but seems every executive now thinks every event warrants half-staffing - prostrating, groveling.

[rlmorel]

When it comes to flying the flag, I don’t take my orders from Washington anymore, and have not for years.

I raise and lower it for my own purposes, not theirs. They don’t speak for me when it comes to who I honor and who I don’t.

[the OlLine Rebel]

What is the date on this?

I have had this “disagreement” before, and posters linked NEWer versions of the Code that are very long-winded and indicate how the Pres can declare half-staff for just about anything.

I was appalled, because that is not the way I remember it (I still have a US Flag book from the ‘80s as I was always patriotic, and remember getting it on family vacation in VA).

Leads to too much prostration. Bad image to give others.

It’s not just Uhbama; it’s been rampant since 9/11.