Im just curious about why the flags were lowered for these VT collage students? Im not trying to trivalize their deaths but we have soldiers die everyday and flags aren't lowerd for them. Is it only because it was here and in our face? You know out of site out of mind. The Men and Woman fighting for our rights should at least be afforded the same respect as the college students. Has anyone stopped to think that they are the same age group. The soldiers and the students. There used to be a time when the flag was only lowered for Presidents and high ranking officials. Now it seems we lower it for anyone except the ones it should be lowered for. Our soldiers. I hear all the time We support our Troops. If we really supported them we would let Bush know that this in unacceptable. It is a slap in the face to all of the men and woman who have given their lives for this country. What do you think?
2007-04-17 20:48:09 · 13 answers · asked by D and G Gifts Etc 6 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Like I said in no way am I trying to take anything away from the tragedy that occurred in VA. It is horrible that these innocent students were killed. Im just saying it is horrible also that our soldiers are being killed and they are receiving no news time, or recognition with the flag being lowered. Yes it was a tragedy but that should not be the only basis in lowering the American Flag, What about the hundreds of people killed in Hurricanes, Tornados, earthquakes. Or even the one person killed by a gun. Is this persons life not as important as these students life? If we lower the flag for everyone won't the symbolizim that it stands for become diluted? The Flag should be lowered for men and women who serve this country in the Military. It should be lowered for Presidents present and former. It should not be lowered because innocent people were killed in a mass tragedy. Though this is tragic it in no way symbolizes what the lowering of the Flag is supposed to stand for
2007-04-17 23:29:00 · update #1
Great question, I wish I had an answer.
For all of you that have tried to make a distinction between soldiers and students, you are missing the point entirely. Flying the colors at half mast is a sign of respect for service of the country. Many of you have discounted the soldiers because they willingly put themselves in harms way, in my opinion that makes them worthy of even more respect. The problem is that in this country we have forgotten the meaning behind many of the traditional customs.
That said, I think this may be an occasion where the symbolism of having all federal flags at half mast was worthy of the situation. This is a tragedy that we need to respect and mourn as a nation.
2007-04-17 21:05:28 · answer #1 · answered by chthomp1976 2 · 4⤊ 5⤋
Soldiers take a risk of death when they join the Military where a student going to college doesn't expect to have his class shot up. Its not hard to grasp this concept of Military personnel vs. college students. And the flags are at half-staff to honor the victims of such a tragedy. yes when a soldier dies its really sad my girlfriend being a soldier i know how some people feel; however, we have two days+ out of the year were we honor our military persons.
2007-04-18 03:25:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if he ordered it or not, but it is pretty much automatic at the death of a President. If past history dictates, it will fly at half staff for 30 days.
2016-05-17 23:16:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You got a point there. But you're getting too steeped into protest with Bush's shenanigans. He is just expressing his sorrow, and taking too lightly other current concerns. That is what he always does. His focus is providing his gendarme's with free gas and Hummers. We have to let it go.
For one thing, the flag should always be at half staff everyday, with a reminder below saying "For the troops". And lowered more for the VT college students because the violence happened on native soil.
2007-04-17 21:13:16 · answer #4 · answered by Agent319.007 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The flags fly at half mast for the soldiers LOCALLY by the government. Bush ordered it only til Sunday as a way for everybody in the country to mourn this tragedy.
2007-04-17 20:51:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
I was thinking the same thing yesterday as I was watching the memorial at VT.. My husband is a U.S. Army soldier who got back from Iraq last October. I do think it is a terrible thing that happened at VT and like you I just don't understand why they get the half staff and our soldiers don't get that half the time..
I guess partly because there are so many soldiers over there dying that the flag would be at half staff almost permanently. I personally take it as a slap in the face. My husband goes to work and puts his butt on the line, for what? A couple extra dollars in his paycheck.. Which is mediocre at best. I do realize that he signed up to do this job, and for the most part he loves what he does.. But, we do feel unappreciated at times.
Good Point!!! You get a star from me!!
2007-04-17 20:56:42 · answer #6 · answered by Mandy R 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
This is the worst mass shooting in history of this country. That is why. Yeah know this is really sad and tragic what happened. Don't get me wrong i feel for all the military personal dying everyday, my husband is deployed over there right now, and im former navy. But this was innocant kids trying to get a education. They didnt deserve this.
2007-04-17 20:52:56 · answer #7 · answered by sarah s 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I agree with you, What are the treatment that our troops are receiving every day? None, Do you think Bush went to take a look of me when I got harmed by an explosion? Do you think he went to see my family or at least mailed a letter from him when my cousin got killed? No, and the services provided by the Veterans Hospital are a hassle. Yes many people support us with the mouth out, but they don't do anything for us, starting by "Mr." Bush. This war is far along from the war we started 3 to 4 years ago, this had become a war to defend the economical interests of few, like, Who do you think? Yes, that's right, "Mr." Bush. I know that out there are many blind pals who don't see it in the same way we do, but to do that you've most been there. Thanks to people like you I still believing in a better future for our country.
2007-04-17 20:59:20 · answer #8 · answered by Javy 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Bush has nothing but contempt for fallen soldiers and for their families. To him soldiers are nothing but tools in order to fulfill the oil-greed of his corporate backers. If he WOULD fly the flag on half-staff he would admit that there is a continuous killing of soldiers and other people going on in Iraq. He would admit that this war is not right and would keep the killings on Iraq on the news. Does he want that? Certainly not.
2007-04-17 22:03:38 · answer #9 · answered by The answer man 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
People in the military enlist in the armed forces. These students did not. Your question is absurd and you should be ashamed of yourself. These students were not getting paid for their services. They were innocent people in a freakin school!!! You sign up for the armed forces, you should be prepared to give your life for our country. Engineering students do not fall into this category.
2007-04-17 20:54:54 · answer #10 · answered by JR 4 · 3⤊ 5⤋