I'm not Catholic, nor do I have no strong feelings against the church or the Pope, but I think that President Bush ordering the flags to half staff is blurring that line between Church and State. The "Official" explanation at the facility I am assigned to is that the Pope was considered a "Head of State" and therefore it is appropriate for the President to order the flags lowered to half staff.
Technically, I guess he was a Head of State, but I think that is splitting a mighty fine hair there. Don't misunderstand me here, I DO think that the Pope's passing deserves respect, but this could easily be interpreted as US Government support for the Catholic Church. I suspect that other religious leaders around the world will NOT be given this same courtesy when they pass away - unless they represent a large number of potential US voters. I also suspect that the research in this article may help explain why Bush chose to do this: The Gallup organization recently released a study of Catholic voters. According to this report, despite a long record of voting for Democrats, recently Catholics have become a key swing voting group in American presidential elections. Complete article.... http://tinyurl.com/4o6wd http://christianity.about.com/od/religionandthepresidency/a/catholicvoters.h tm Gary The official proclamation from White House (see links below)..... President Bush Orders Flags Flown at Half Staff in Honor of Pope John Paul II A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America As a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of his interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty ninth. GEORGE W. BUSH http://tinyurl.com/44ewp http://tinyurl.com/44ewp http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050402-3.html _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
