Here's the Presidential Proclamation, flags at half-staff

[Jilly Beans]

Notice that Bush says nothing about the Pope's position as head of state of the Vatican.


******************************************************************************
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
******************************************************************************
Edited to add link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050402-3.html

[Richardo]

1. Number of times he mentioned 'peace' in his address after the Pope's death

Zero.

[havocmom]

2. Possibly, he does not realize the Pope is a head of state.

Sure would have quieted folks down some if he had mentioned that little fact. Ah, the Great Uniter strikes again!

[Jilly Beans]

3. Wasn't his undergrad degree in history?

You'd think that this would have been one of the things he would have been taught, that he should have remembered.

My kid's in fifth grade and he knows that the Vatican is the smallest nation in the world.

I really believe that Bush isn't considering the Pope's position as head of state in the proclamation. I think he's doing it for his position as head of the Church.

[Inland]

6. Sure he does. But he wants people to think he is doing it for religion.

The last thing he wants to do is quiet down people. He wants to pander.

[efhmc]

4. Is this a normal thing to do when a pope dies? Don't remember

this happening before.

[Sanity Claws]

7. Do you remember what happened after the tsunami?

Freeper types were incensed that the flag was flown at half-staff for the victims of the tsunami. They kept saying that they were not American citizens and should not be honored in this way. I wonder if the Freepers are the saying that about the Pope, too.

[bobthedrummer]

5. Seig...

[Toots]

8. Okay should the US do this or not?

I think it is respectful if not carried to an extreme. One day or two at the most and then we must do the same for every other religion. That is if the religion has a designated head like the Catholic church has. It shows a better side of America to the world.

[Jilly Beans]

9. Sorry, but when Falwell kicks the bucket, I don't want to see half-staff

flags just because he was the head of the Christian Coalition.