Half mast everyday.

[Rdutch 0]

Today the flag's are at half mast all over the world. For a good reason, as a tribute to the 7 astronauts that tragically died returning from a mission.

Now with the threat of war over our head everyday, the possibility of people dying in the name of our Freedom is ever looming upon us. As well as the innocent people that died in the sept 11th attack. And the soldier's, American, English, and from all countries that gave their lives in the fight to end terrorism, in Afganistan. Today is truly a sad day for all the families, and everyone that was touched by the Columbia accident. I propose that until the thought of war, over Oil, Terrorism, and the threat of weapons of mass destruction, we as Americans, and all the free countries of the world that we keep our flags at half mast everyday. Every time someone dies in the name of freedom, they deserve our tribute, and all the time we hear of soldiers, and civillians that lost their lives due to some terrorist, or fanatic. Even though we take a minute to pray for them, they dont recieve the tribute they deserve.
Add to that the Police and Firemen that have given their lives to promote a safe environment for us to live. Half mast everyday until the possibility of this unneccessary war is over, and until our friend's, children, husbands and wives are safely home.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[AggieDave 6]

Stating that this war is unessecary is wide open to debate.

Although, your idea is good in intention, it cheapens this time honored tradition in the long run.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[quade 4]

R --

Come from a navy family did you?

Flags are at half-mast at naval facilities and ships -- elsewhere, they're at half-staff.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[AggieDave 6]

And at Marine Corps camps (bases).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Rdutch 0]

Mast, staff? Just a term you understand what I mean and that's what I was trying to say.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[quade 4]

Quote

And at Marine Corps camps (bases).

Marines are a part of (and I know this is going to hurt) the Navy, at least historically. Didn't ya kinda wonder where that anchor came from on the Marine Corps emblem?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[AggieDave 6]

Yeah, I know, they're apart of the Dept. of the Navy, but a Camp isn't technically a Navy installation, since the budget for them comes seperatly then the Navy's budget for their installations.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Rdutch 0]

Quote

Stating that this war is unessecary is wide open to debate.

Although, your idea is good in intention, it cheapens this time honored tradition in the long run.

Cheapens? I don't see it. If anyone dies in the name of your freedom they deserve the best respect you can offer.
All the time we hear of someone in a far off land dying, and no matter what the news say's, they died for our way of life. I wake up every day and thank God for the fact that I was born where I was. And then I really thank god I live in America. I chose to be an American, I wasn't born into it, but I like the fact that I dont have to sleep at night in fear of bombs falling on me right now.
Do I agree with a possible war? I dont know. But I dont think that anyone I know/dont know, should give up their life for what our president desides to be a good reason. And I really dont think that my son should give his life for that either. If there were people dying everyday, then I could see fighting to help someone out,.

But my point here is not to fight about politic's at all, I just wanted to point out that many hero's die every day and no one notices. We need to quit overlooking that and take notice about the world's hero's and who has given their lives and children, for us to live the way we do. While most of us are complaining about the weather and why we cant jump. Other people are dying to make sure we can go to the dz and have a good day, as opposed to hiding from gunfire/bombs as it is happening right now around the world. And even though the Columbia 7 need recognition a lot of people deserve recognition also. Putting you flag at half staff/mast is minor but its a start.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[billvon 3,120]

>Although, your idea is good in intention, it cheapens this time honored
> tradition in the long run.

I used to think that too. I remember being in college, paying occasional attention to the news, and every time someone bombed an embassy they'd put the flag at half mast. We would occasionally have a suicide at my college, and I could see the value there - a whole school was mourning, and seeing that acknowledgement that everyone was thinking of what we'd lost seemed to help. Putting it at half mast because some soldier half a world away got blown up seemed silly, at least in the insular little world of a high pressure school.

Then, much later, I started to pay attention to the rest of the world. I started to see the value in remembering the people who died for us, because too many people (like me) would otherwise never even know someone died for their country. In a way it was good to see that we were paying tribute to a larger group of people than those in our own little school, city, or even state. It was like growing up, seeing a larger world outside your immediate community.

If anything, I hope it keeps up. I hope there comes a day when the flag is at half mast even more often. When American lives are lost overseas, even when there is no war on. When three Chinese astronauts die in their more primitive space program. When an earthquake in India kills thousands. And yes, someday, even when a hundred Iraqis are killed by an errant bomb. That day is a long day off, but I hope someday we see _all_ violent deaths as a tragedy and not merely as distant news items (or worse, a job well done.)