Standing Tall

     It is my opinion that flying the American flag at half staff should be far and few between. This should be done only with the death of an American President and returning local military men/women, if it was my decision these would be the only reasons. Lowering the flag has become almost trivial. The American flag should always stand tall and proud. I'm sick of the flag being lowered every time a nutcase kills a bunch of people or when a pop star dies. The American flag represents overcoming the odds and adversity. I know the majority of Americans want the flag lowered on Sept 11th, however I think it shows vulnerability when we should show strength. Most recently President Obama ordered all flags be flown at half staff for the death of Nelson Mandela, a foreign, communist leader. I'm not taking away from Mandela's accomplishments and leadership but we can honor someone in death without lowering our flag. Americans have never bowed to foreign leaders and we shouldn't start now. In 2012 New Jersey lowered the flag for Whitney Houston's death, and the following year for the death of James Gandolfini. In 2008 Buffalo NY lowered the flag for the death of journalist Tim Russert. I believe these are examples of abuse of power. They are knee jerk, emotional reactions and that is all. We are not to lower the American flag on emotion. I understand that we get emotional when a lunatic murders innocent school children, however we can't lower the flag for every tragedy. The American flag is sacred and lowering it should be sacred also. During the war of 1812 fort Mchenry was bombarded by the British Royal Navy and from this the National Anthem originated. America's National Anthem is based on a poem that was written after a long night of bombing, our flag was seen still waving in the morning.
I believe this set a precedence for all time. Just like the song says "and the flag was still there"!
Visit the link below to see proper flag etiquette and the rules of lowering the American flag.


Sources - (Google Images)
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html