Flag Wars

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Even though our nation's President and the Governor of Florida have both ordered that the national flag be flown at half-staff over their respective fedderal and state buildings for a period of thirty days following the death of former President Carter, a period which will not end until January 28th, private citizen Donald Trump has chosen, apparently yesterday, to begin flying Old Glory at full-staff on his home/business in Palm Beach, Florida.   The practice of flying the flag at half-staff for thirty days following the death of a US President dates back to the passing of Abraham Lincoln in 1865 - a period of almost 160 years.

President-Elect,Trump has already beeen complaining publicly about the flags being at half-staff on his inauguration day, but as a current private citizen living in a private residence which doubles as a paid-membership country club, he can undoubtedly do as he pleases with regard to the flags on his own property, no matter how petty and small-minded such actions appear to be.

One must wonder if the national mourning period for President Carter will be brought to a sudden end when the country's next President is sworn into office next Monday - eight days shy of the date it was to have ended under the Biden order.  The incoming President has spoken negatively of Carter and his presidency at various times in the past, and he is known for his petulance.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced yesterday that he is ordering flags at all state buildings in Texas to be flown at full-staff on Inauguration Day.  There is, of course, a strong possibility that other GOP governors will issue similar orders as they rush to prostrate themselves for another lick of the presidential loafers.

An incoming President of the United States should have a certain amount of respect, if not reverence, for our nation's proud history and its traditions, as well as for the presidency itself.    Anything less sullies the office and the person who is its temporary occupant.

Those who sow disrespect should expect to find it taking over their fields at harvest time.