BS: Protocol for flying half staff

Subject: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 12:28 AM

I was disgruntled on learning that the State of Alaska will be flying the flags half staff for 30 days. Then I checked on the internett and found that the whole country is bidden to do the same.

Is this standard? I don't remember any such thing when previous presidents and former presidents died- but maybe I just didn't notice.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 12:35 AM

i saw some lowered (1/2 staff) flags today and wondered who else had died. Then I saw one across that street which was not lowered...???

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 02:44 AM

Below is from the U.S. Flag Code. See highlighted section. I got this on the site: U.S. Flag Information. Note that it should be flown at half staff only if an elected official has died and only if the government makes an official proclamation.

Sec. 7. — Position and manner of display

# 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. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 07:48 AM

My neighbor has his flag at the top of the pole. He's a good neighbor.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 10:17 AM

Respect to the office, not the office-holder....

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 10:33 AM

See the viagra thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 02:35 PM

Remember that a proclamation has no weight, except with federal offices. That's why you'll see all the differences.

By the way, you know how at some sporting events they carry out the flag horizontally on the field carryied by 20 - 30 people? That's not an appropriate way to display the flag, according to the code.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Gypsy
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 06:09 PM

Seems these days as tho the flag is NEVER at full staff. Am starting to wonder if the flag needs viagra!

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 07:33 PM

It's funny how a thread title conjours up an image.
I assumed that "flying half staff" was either aeroplanes without enough crew or alternatively a Morris Stick Dance query - as in "what happens when the broken end of a stick flies off over or into the crowd of onlookers?".
So - to us in Great Britain - who has died, and is it anyone we should know anything about?
We fly flags "half mast" in cases of an official death, of the football team dropping a bollock.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 07:39 PM

I was in Britain when Diana was killed. Driving to Ely to see the cathedral.

"Why are the flags at half-mast?" asked my wife.
"I dunno," I replied, "I'm not British."

At the cathedral a service was in session. The bishop hisself came out and began, "As you may know, this morning the Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris...."

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 08:06 PM

We were in a tram from Blackpool to Fleetwood that evening. It crashed into the back of another tram in a siding at Bispham. We didn't even get a mention in the newspapers.
Shows what marrying into the right family does for you!
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 08:32 PM

Geoff, I've always used the term "half-mast" as well. It is, since you ask, for former President Reagan.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 08:35 PM

The office didn't die; an old man did.

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 09:29 PM

Well, I reckon what makes me maddest about 30 days of half satff is that it is for such a crappy president but, hey, if them is the rules than them is the rules...

....except if it had been Jimmy Carter, the Repubs would have changed the rules since they have changing rules down to an art.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 11:58 PM

I believe that 'half mast' is a navy term and 'half staff' fordy landlubbers.

It just seems odd to me that the symbol of mourning should last 30 days when the person was not in office at the time.

I read that that this year will be the first year that the flags will be down in this country during Independence Day, July 4th. Kind of scary, in a way- I agree that we as a nation should be in mourning for our current misdeeds, but I'm not sure I want it to be made official!

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: s&r
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 03:56 PM

Half mast in the UK according to the offical rules is one third of the mast height down

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: Protocol for flying half staff
From: InOBU
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 10:41 PM

I find, if I come to realize that I'm at half mast, a quick trip to the loo to zip up can do the trick, worst is one is on the street or in a place with no facilities. In that case, one has to find a way to zip up as though nothing is wrong... dip into a corner... very embarassing anyway... how can one be cool about the discovery that one finds oneself at half mast. I shudder at the thought, I'd never walk around that way to show respect for a president, alive or dead, it just ain't natural.
Larry