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Flag Etiquette - Half Staff Displays

TRNDRVR

TRNDRVR

IMA BUM
Location
North Ogden, UT
USFlag.org said:
Flying the flag at half-staff is an area of flag etiquette that most people want to make sure they get right. It is also an area for which the road to error is routinely paved with good intentions. With that in mind, we offer this refresher course as the all-important intersection where knowledge meets benevolence.

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 possesion, 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.

In the event of the death 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 code also includes other related details including the specific length of time during which the flag should be displayed at half-staff, in the event of the death of a "principal figure"(e.g., 30 days for the death of a sitting or former President, 10 days for the death of a sitting Vice-President,etc.).

GOOD-FAITH MISUNDERSTANDINGS: Although the code is actually pretty clear, confusion continues to occur. For example, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno recently ordered the American Flag flown at half-staff on all U.S. Department of Justice buildings, in honor of several DEA agents who had died. While NFF understands this gesture, the Flag Code does not give Attorney General Reno the authority to issue that order. Closer to NFF's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home, Mayor Tom Murphy ordered all flags flown at half-staff to honor the victims of a plane crash. Here again, a well-intentioned gesture, but one for which no authority exists. NFF points out these "good-faith misunderstandings" not to criticize or embarrass anyone, but rather to head off a growing trivialization of this memorial salute, and to preserve the dignity and significance of flying the U.S. flag at half-staff. To any readers who may think that NFF is insensitive for raising these breaches of etiquette, please be assured that our motives are pure. We grieve these human loses deeply; however, we believe proper respect for our flag must be maintained - no matter the circumstances.
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I find this interesting and I'm wondering why the flags in Utah are at half staff?

I know, I'm a pr!ck!
 
projektdotnet

projektdotnet

Cruiserhead
Location
Layton
Skylinerider said:
The Governor has authorized the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Utah to be lowered in honor of President Gordon B. Hinckley.
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"In the event of the death 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."

I might be causing some waves with this one but Hinkley was not an official of state government last I checked. Separation of Church and State not apply here?
 
gijohn40

gijohn40

too poor to wheel... :(
Location
Layton, Utah
most this country has lost its respect of customs of old so what the heck lower your flags you Pr***s and get with the time...
 
Stephen

Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
Location
Never Far From Nowhere
Flags should not be at half staff. It irritates me that they are for a religious figure. But then I remember that I'm in Utah, add some whisky to my coffee and move on with my day. :D
 
Cherokeester

Cherokeester

Registered User
Location
Wellsville Utah
They flew flags half staff in Utah county when a BYU coed died in Provo canyon last summer. It seems they feel justified when there is enough sentiment to go along to support it.
 
Cody

Cody

Random Quote Generator
Supporting Member
Location
Gastown
Hinckly was the leader of the church and the church is the leader of the government here. Seems pretty obvious to me.
 
toomeymd

toomeymd

SUZUKI ROCKER
Welcome to UT. Being military, I do find it an insult how much UT authorizes the flag to be flown at half-mast. In the case of Hinckley I am a bit torn as he does not fit the criteria neccesary but was probably one of the greatest men of our century.
 
bryson

bryson

RME Resident Ninja
Supporting Member
Location
West Jordan
It may not be "PC" that it was ordered by the Governor, but if a private party or institution wants to lower the flag it is their right, isn't it?

If I had a flag, I'd lower it to half-mast for him. He was a better person than many that you are supposed to lower the flag for...
 
TRNDRVR

TRNDRVR

IMA BUM
Location
North Ogden, UT
Skylinerider said:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=288&sid=2560361

The Governor has authorized the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Utah to be lowered in honor of President Gordon B. Hinckley. The flags shall be flown at half-staff on all state-owned facilities until sunset on the day of his interment.


And yes you are a prick;)
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USFlag.org said:
Flying the flag at half-staff is an area of flag etiquette that most people want to make sure they get right. It is also an area for which the road to error is routinely paved with good intentions.
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Huntsman doesn't have the authority to issue that order.
USFlag.org said:
We grieve these human loses deeply; however, we believe proper respect for our flag must be maintained - no matter the circumstances.
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Let me say this, I'm not LDS, nor do I care to be. I'm also not trying to be disrespectful under the circumstances. It's truly sad (to a point, after all, he was 97) the passing of GBH, and my deepest sympathy to his flock.

My intentions are only to educate and make people think. (from an outsider's point of view)(and I'm an outsider)

Thank you!
Dan.
 
STPPINZ

STPPINZ

Registered User
Location
Utah
Give me a break about this whole church and state thing. That is bull crap. I am so sick of hearing that. Go to Rome and see who influences the government. Go to any of those Bible bashing towns in the South and see what group influences the local government. Its nothing unique to Utah. Deal with it.

About the flag at half staff, I agree with you, but hardly any of the flag edict is followed these days. I just find it annoying that nothing much was said when the flags were at half staff after the VT shootings or 9/11 (No government officials were killed in those events to my knowledge),but when a LDS Prophet dies people care... Hypocritical don't you think.
 
Cody

Cody

Random Quote Generator
Supporting Member
Location
Gastown
STPPINZ said:
Give me a break about this whole church and state thing. That is bull crap. I am so sick of hearing that. Go to Rome and see who influences the government. Go to any of those Bible bashing towns in the South and see what group influences the local government. Its nothing unique to Utah. Deal with it.
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Out of curiosity, does Rome have a founding document that explicitly mandates a separation of church and state?

That worthless reference aside, you're correct about the south and other areas. I wasn't bitching, I was merely making an observation. I live here because I like it, by choice. I could leave. It's no thinly vailed secret that the LDS church has undue influence on local government.

Doesn't mean I have to agree with people regulating things that are perfectly fine and responsible only because their personal beliefs differ. For example alcahol. Why a board of people who don't drink nor ever have is expected to manage it's sale and distrubution is a mystery to me. Thats about as logical as having the U4WDA board being made up strictly of SUWA members....or putting Ted Nugent in charge of the Anti-gun lobby.....or putting a baseball player in a situation that requires athletic ability....or, well you get the point.

If we can't speak our minds then the other part of our founding principles have been lost.
 
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