When does a flag go to half-staff?

For a YEAR?
For what possible reason?

 

Because they're likely a bunch of fucking lazy morons who neither pay attention, nor care.

 

The talking chihuahua died???

 

At first, I thought the Va. Tech killings were a no-brainer. Seems like a national tragedy, and there should be a day or two set aside as a national period of mourning. But then if you think about it, "only" 33 people died. The next time we lose 100 in a plane crash, will that receive the same honor? Worse loss of life, likely just as national in scope in terms of where victims come from, but unlikely to receive the same honor nationwide. So now I'm not so sure.

 

Had the 100 been murdered, it would be a no-brainer. It may not sound fair, but the way they died and the impact that has nationally plays a part in deciding whether flying the flag at half-staff is appropriate. Because when you get right down to it, more people probably died in this country from any of a number of ways, including murder and suicide, than did in Blacksburg that day. Given the profound impact the massacre had in places far from Virginia, I'd say the honor is appropriate.

 

Don't get me wrong. I say lower it for the Va. Tech victims. My thought was more along the lines of why do we do it for them, but not for things like plane crashes? It's still more people dying in the same sudden, tragic way, and all together instead of a murder here, a suicide there. Maybe not as senseless, but no less tragic.

 

Probably because a plane crash is an unfortunate and sad occurance, but a mass murder on a college campus shakes everyone to their core. Emotional resonance is why this is more worthy (for lack of a more appropriate term) of a flag flying at half-staff, which itself is a manifestation of national sadness. It sounds harsh to parse it out like that, but that's the best I can come up with.

 

I'm glad someone else knew this. I felt like a big dork knowing.