Will/Should flags be lowered to half-staff?

[VolcanoJen]

I was just thinking about this, and wondering if this is something only done to honor American citizens.

Have flags been lowered to half-staff/half-mast in sympathy of foreign nations before? I know one of my DU brothers or sisters will have the answer.

My head is a little foggy on this saddest of days. :-(

[bryant69]

1. They should be

I think they probably will be.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[YOY]

2. Yes...most likely it will

It flew recently at half-mast for the Tsunami victims...not just the American ones either.

[Swede]

3. Canada is doing it.

PM just announced it.

[ewagner]

4. I think it would

be a nice gesture....a show of solidarity with the rest of the civilized world would be well taken I think.

[benburch]

5. Yes. Absolutely.

Without any doubt.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. The britsh did

not only that the brits played the star spangled banner at the palace, it could be done,...

[SaveElmer]

7. Were they after the Madrid bombing ?

I don't think so...

[VolcanoJen]

11. I don't think they were, either.

And if they weren't, that seems like a horrible mistake.

[SaveElmer]

13. I agree...

I do think they should be lowered, but I really don't think Spain suffered any less...I hope it wasn't because they decided to pull out of the "coalition of the willing."

[Marnieworld]

8. They were lowered for the pope's passing this year

So I would think that it should happen today.

[VolcanoJen]

9. Thank you, everyone, and I agree they should be lowered.

I'm ready to just do it myself... when would an announcement happen? Would Bush announce it from the G8, and shouldn't he get on with it?

[ronnykmarshall]

10. I hope so.

Other nations did it for 9/11.

[Terran]

12. They already are here (Missouri)

Can't be 100% sure it's because of London.

[VolcanoJen]

15. Is this something private citizens are doing?

Very interesting, Terran!

[Terran]

21. No, it's state government

I work for a state agency, and our flags are at half-mast. They were down at 1 PM when I went to lunch.

Of course, our state government is run by republicans, so who knows, they may have had other ideas.

[Terran]

24. Update on that

I read this evening that a state Senator died today of cancer. So it's no doubt in his honor, not for England. Our twit repug of a governor would never display such class--I should have known.

[VolcanoJen]

25. Thanks for the clarification, Terran.

I'm sorry about your state Senator. Maybe you and the people of your state could look at the lowered flag in two ways?

I've seen a few lowered flags in my neighborhood tonight...

[ConfuZed]

14. Should we fly a british flag as a sign of solidarity

[thebigidea]

16. or maybe scoop centuries-old tea out of Boston Harbor

[ps1074]

17. I might be wrong but I think

The protocol requires Britain announcing a national day of mourning and lowering their flag first. Only after that it is appropriate for foreign nations to lower their flags.

Than again I might be wrong. :shrug:

[H2O Man]

18. Interesting idea.

The thought behind it indicates that your conscience is raised twice as high as the average person's. I admire that! The power of symbolism is very important, and you understand that. Thank you for adding this thought to today's dscussion; I hope it causes others to stop and think. It did me!

[info being]

19. They should be lowered all the way

[Geoff R. Casavant]

20. I just checked USFlag.org

And they say the flag is lowered on Presidential orders, for the death of foreign dignitaries. This would cover John Paul II (since the Vatican is a separate nation), but not ordinary civilian deaths.

That being said, I expect if you wish to fly your own flags at half-staff, I seriously doubt anyone will think less of you.

[Straight Shooter]

22. I was expecting them to be lowered when I went out earlier.

They were not. Perhaps that will change. It's the decent thing to do.

Thanks, VJ, for thinking with your heart and your mind.

[Biased Liberal Media]

23. Absolutely. /nt