The President ordered flags at half-mast for Fort Hood, Aurora, Sandy Hook, the Boston bombing, and the D.C. Navy Yard. He even ordered the flags at half-mast for Nelson Mandela, who was a tremendous individual but was not a United States citizen.
It's been four days since the Chattanooga shooting. What is it that makes the tragedy in Chattanooga of a lesser significance than those tragedies? Why are the four Marines and one sailor who lost their lives not considered by the White House to be worthy of commemoration?
At this point, I consider President Obama's inaction both greatly disappointing and a brazen sign of disrespect toward the victims. At the very least, Senator Corker and Senator Alexander should seek out an explanation from the White House.
Bryan Starnes
Student at the University of Tennessee
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It really doesn’t surprise me that a lot of people don’t understand why flags are not being flown at half-mast. Frankly, I blame teachers, political pundits, and the idiots in charge of our government. On several occasions, well-meaning people have ordered flags flown at half-mast in spite of clear rules to the contrary. Now, people expect flags to be flown at half-mast any time there is a tragedy near them (i.e. Sandy Hook, 9/11, or Chattanooga).
Try reading the Flag Code (Google it). “FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF: The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, "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 orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.” (copied from http://www.usflag.org)
Robert Harvey
Chattanooga
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A spineless coward took the lives of five of America's best and injured a number of others. The very least we can do is show our respect and reverence for them and their service by lowering the flags.
Flag code, really.
Larry Frye