Recently in West Virginia there was a tragic accident in a coal mine. The initial explosion killed 25 miners and trapped 4 others. After days of trying to reach the stranded, time ran out and the remaining 4 miners passed away as well. This was a horrible accident no matter what way you look at it. These brave men gave their life in the line of their work. Truly a heart wrenching tragedy.
On Monday however President Obama issued a proclamation stating that all federal buildings in West Virginia needed to place their US flags at half mast. Even in the city I live in the firehouses have presented their flags at half mast to observe the President's proclamation. Not to sound heartless but why are we doing this? What is the criteria for placing these flags at half mast? None of those who perished were federal employees, so why is this treatment given to this group of people? In 2006 during the 4th of July weekend forty-eight people fatally died in car accidents in the state of Florida. That is a very large number of people who died in accidents, and yet there was not a time given for the lowering of the flags.
Where is the line drawn then? Is it because it was an accident in a coal mine? Is it because of the mass media coverage that was given to this? I understand the President is trying to do the right thing here, but he is using this tragedy to his advantage. He ordered the flags lowered and his next move will be to look into this situation to not allow a tragedy like this again to happen. Thus, again, intervening into the private sector and trying to regulate these companies into the ground, no pun intended.
But something more is at the heart of what our President is doing in this situation. The President, who pay the way did not even place his hand over his heart when the flag was being sung about during his run for office, is leaving prayer out of all of this. Why not say that we need to have some days of prayer for these families? Why not leave our patriotism and flag symbolism out of this and return our country to what has brought us the greatness we bask in today? Was it the lowering of the flag and remembering those who had given their life that made us a great nation or was it people who humbled themselves and prayed to God who made this country great? I think the answer is obvious, we have lost our way because we have lost His ways in our lives!! I pray we will return to God and not get so wrapped up in our country and flag.
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