Half-Staffed Flags

I was very disappointed today as I drove around town and noticed that the flags were being flown at half-staff most likely all over the state of Utah in remembrance of a non-government official or military person. The Governor ordered that all flags could be flow at half-staff in remembrance of Gordon B. Hinckley the former President of the LDS church. While I understand that this is a terrible loss for the members of the LDS faith I do not think that it is appropriate to lower the flag.

Section 7m of the Flag Code now reads (in part), emphasis ours on added text:
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 possession, 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 instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia.

I feel that this is form of remembrance for Mr. Hinckley is unnecessary and a over the top. I doubt that other people around the U.S. will find themselves looking at a flag flown half-staffed do to this loss. . I understand that the state of Utah is 63% LDS but that should not sway the officials in our state to make such a decision. What other decisions are they making based on the ideology of their faith or persons involved in a particular faith? Since our government is supposed to have a separation of Church and State, where does this lead us to?

Surgery

Ben survived his sleep apnea surgery and is now home recovering. Hopefully this means that he will no longer snore, or you know stop breathing at night. He had three things done, a tonsillectomy, and two other operations. I can’t pronounce one of the so I’m not even going to try and the other I just don’t remember, maybe it was an upper hyord suspension. So other than being tired and a little sore in his throat he is doing well. Lots of liquid nourishment, which I don’t think he minds. And I think that he feels like CNN will help him get better as well, because it seems like that is all he ever really watches.

Princess Bear???

The apple of every father's eye is to come home and see his only son dressed as a princess. Shoes and all, Barrett wanted to wear the princess dress, it was pretty funny and cute.

The Chronicles of Flat Stanley

Ben’s oldest sister asked us to take Flat Stanley around and show him the sights of Utah for a former student of hers, who is working on a school project. We were more than happy to take Stanley around and introduce him to Utah. Here is where he traveled:




Stop One: Bingham Canyon Mine – home to Kennecott Copper, the largest open pit cooper mining operation in the world; can be seen from outer space.



Stop Two: The Olympic Oval – home to the speed skating, curling, and ice skating competitions during the 2002 Winter Olympics.



Stop Three: The Great Salt Lake – a large lake just West of Salt Lake City, giving the city it’s name and which is made up of 15% salinity



Stop Four: Temple Square – What would a trip to Salt Lake City be if you did not visit Temple Square home to World Headquarters of the Church of Later-Day Saints.



Stop Five: The State Capital Building – Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah, so it is home to the governing state bodies. The current Governor is Republican Jon Huntsman.



Stop Six: Rice Eccles Stadium – Home to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Games

That concludes our Flat Stanley tour, if we had more time I think Stanley would have enjoyed Southern Utah and the red rocks of Moab and Zion. Until next time I hope that you will find a Flat Stanley close to your home.