I understand that only certain individuals can order the American flag to half staff. There have been other instances where local elected officials from this county and surrounded counties have ordered local flags to half staff for certain individuals. I've seen them in the local papers and on Columbia Magazine over the years. Nothing can I recall where it became personal or political in the past when it was done and nothing was ever said out of respect for the deceased person or family being honored.

We have other major problems that we could spend time and effort on here in out county besides this nit-picking hang up. We have homeless, hungry and people with needs that is more important than questioning a decision made now rather than not making one in the past for the same thing. Just my thought, --James