Bill OKs Lowering Flags When Troops Die

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Legislation passed by Congress would require all federal agencies in a state to comply with a governor's request that they fly their flags at half-staff to honor a fallen service member.

The bill, which now goes to President Bush for his signature, was crafted by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., who was upset by what he said was the "inconsistent, patchwork display of respect" in his state toward troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The House passed the bill in May and the Senate approved it late Thursday _ Flag Day _ on a voice vote.

The measure would amend federal law with regard to the flying of the national flag at half-staff to allow a governor to require that federal facilities in the state lower their flags when a member of the armed forces from that state dies while on active duty.

Read more: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/06/15/ap/washington/d8pp9mmg0.txt

[babylonsister]

1. Excellent; about time. nt

[hobbit709]

2. The flags will be at halfmast constantly

until we get the hell out of Iraq.

[Rydz777]

14. You are absolutely right. And that is the brilliant aspect of this

act. Flags across the country constantly at half-mast will be a daily reminder of the cost of this disastrous war.

[Oreo]

3. No way will this be vetoed

Get ready to start seeing the flag at half-staff indefinitely until this stupid war has ended.
If this wakes one person up that our people are dying on a daily basis it will be worth it.

[AndyA]

4. Personally, I think *ALL* flags in America should be flown at half-staff until the war

in Iraq is over and our troops are home. Every state has lost, and continues to lose, troops. The flags will serve as a permanent reminder of what we're giving up for this senseless and unnecessary war George Bush and the Republican Party have forced upon us. (With help from the Democrats, now, as well. Thanks for nothing, Dems.)

[Straight Shooter]

12. Personally, I think *all* U.S. flags should be flown upside down until the troops are home.

Or until the bush/cheney cabal is evicted from our White House.

[StarryNite]

22. Me too!

I have a neocon neighbor who flew his flag upside down during the last year that Clinton was in office.

[OldschoolDem]

26. haha you might the local news station on your front law

[mikelgb]

5. half mast 24/7

[onehandle]

6. They should order all flags lowered in every state every day.

Keep them all lowered in respect for Bush's daily victims.

[gratuitous]

7. I'll go against the grain here

And just say, who the hell cares? As Pat Tillman's surviving family said, "Dead is dead." You want to fly a flag at half staff? Go ahead. You don't want to? Go ahead. Because you know something? That young life cut off at 18 or 22 or 35 or 57 is still cut off. Over and done with. If it makes you feel better to do something or not do something, then do it, and screw it. Don't worry about what other people say or think or do, they're not you. And by the same token, don't tell other people how they need to react or not react. You're not them, and you're not responsible for their action or non-action.

The bigger issue here is the fact that this murderous, ruinous, wasteful, and illegal war is still going on, and I don't give a flying fig about where your flag is on the flagpole.

[peace13]

9. I hear you.

At half mast it will be a constant reminder to the sheeple and offers just a hope that some of them might wake up! We gotta play all of the cards IMHO. peace, Kim

[LeFleur1]

17. Every Day

Unless there is a big ceremony every day, broadcast on TV, people will just become accustomed to the flags flying at half mast. It will lose its meaning.
The thing to do is demand that this stupid occupation be STOPPED. Bring the troops home from this ridiculous, knuckleheaded situation that puts them in harm's way.
Just another showboat plan by an ineffective, cowardly bunch in Washington, DC.
If they really respected the troops they'd put a stop to this nonsense right now.

[Quantess]

19. People need reminders of the death toll, though.

We can't let fallen troops go unrecognized.

[armyvet84]

24. Sad, so sad...

Sad that you believe the noble sacrifices made by young men and women in uniform who are willing to put their lives on the line for this country and who make the ultimate sacrifice for our great Nation do not deserve such a dignified and respectful remembrance. You and others like you are ingrates, living off the sacrifices of generations of Americans before you, and incapable of understanding the selflessness and decency of our soldiers, sailors and airmen. Agree or disagree about the war itself, and its execution, you dishonor those who serve by your thoughtless, selfish comments.

[uppityperson]

27. So how do you feel about what's going on with Iraq?

I feel a bigger dishonor than the flag issue is wasting their lives there, but that's just me.

Edited to add that I would like the flags at 1/2 mast until they all come home. Keep it in people's faces and minds.

[annabanana]

8. Our local City Manager got ticked off by the crap celebrity coverage

after hearing another report of Soldiers killed in Iraq and had the town lower all the public flags (a couple of weeks ago)

Everyone is apparently cool with that, because at half-mast they sit.

[peace13]

11. That is way cool.

A reminder every day that some gave all. Peace, Kim

[LibDemAlways]

10. Chimp wouldn't dare veto this. My only concern is that

if the flag flies at half-mast all the time, JQ Public will quickly come to see it as the norm rather than an abberation and it will lose some of its impact and symbolism.

[sutz12]

13. They should just pass a law to shorten all of the flag poles...nt

[sinkingfeeling]

15. So I guess we'll never see a flag flying at full staff for at least the next 50 years.

[Aviation Pro]

16. Bet Bush has something against it....

...cause it will remind everyone of his fuck up.

[jmondine]

18. He'll probably include a signing statement

To require flags at half mast when Haliburton's profits are down.

[wuushew]

20. I think people notice the variation in height more so than actual flag position

Same phenomena as the chocolate ration trick or $2.99 a gallon gas people think is now a bargain.

Since we are constantly killing 1-3 soldiers a day, half-mast will simply be the new full mast.

[frogcycle]

21. Schwarzenegger has been doing this all along

Whenever a Ca resident dies, this statement comes out immediately and Ca state Capitol flags go to half-staff.


06/06/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Shawn E. Dressler, of Santa Maria, CA:

“Sergeant Shawn Dressler will be forever remembered for his brave and selfless service to his country. Shawn served with determination and bravery, making the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and democracy. Maria and I offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and fellow soldiers.”

Dressler, 22, died June 2 as a result of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. Dressler was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, Schweinfurt, Germany.

In honor of Sgt. Dressler, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Source: California Governor

So I guess now the feds will have to grudgingly show equivalent respect.

[LiberalFighter]

23. Governors/states should not have the authority to order half-mast flags at federal offices

As others have pointed out... the increased flying flag at half-mast will dull the patriotism of the country.

Why bother having Flag Day? Why bother with Memorial Day or Veteran's Day? Why bother with D-Day. Every day will now be for the troops. Oh, we absolutely must celebrate May 1 or "Mission Accomplished Day".

[Dark]

25. My god. There is a war going on and congress is focusing on this shit? n/t