In traveling around the Houston area the last few weeks, I have noticed both the American and Texas flags have been flying at half-staff. It seems that they have been at half-staff more often than normal.
Flags are flown at half-staff in honor of the death of significant individuals such as a president, those who have fallen in the line of duty or those who have died as a result of some tragedy. I learned today that there is even a “widget” that will give “half-staff” notifications any time there is a determination that flying the American and state flags at half-staff is appropriate.
Recently flags have been flown at half-staff on the following dates:
US - 7/18/2016 US Flags at Half Staff Honoring the Victims of the Attack in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
US - 7/15/2016 US Flags at Half Staff Honoring the Victims of the Attack in Nice, France
US - 7/8/2016US Flags at Half-Staff Honoring the Victims of the Attack in Dallas, Texas
US - 6/12/2016 US Flags at Half-Staff Honoring Victims of Attack in Orlando
It seems that victims of attacks requiring the lowering of the national flag are becoming more commonplace. The four listed about have all taken place within a six-week period.
In light of the regularity of lowering the flag to half-mast it causes me to consider the ultimate outcome of the four tragedies mentioned.
As we consider the shooter who entered a nightclub well-armed, and the ensuing slaughter, “We might ask what positive result has come about through the death of 49 and the wounding of 53 others?” To date, I can think of no positive outcome to what took place in Orlando.
On July 7, 5 police officers were murdered in retaliation for recent police shootings deaths of black men. Five officer and the shooter are dead in Dallas. My question is this, “Did the murder of the Dallas officers bring an end to the inequities that sometimes occur at the hands of police officers? Did the murdering of others in retaliation solve anything?”
Did driving a bus through a crowd of people at a Bastille Day observance in Nice, France better the situation of anyone in France?
Did the murder of three more officers and the shooter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana resolve anything other than add to the death toll and spur more violence?
Sadly, all it seems we can do in the wake of such tragedies is lower our flags in honor of the slain and hold funeral vigils in their honor as well.
We can be sure there will be more lives taken because real, permanent solutions are not even considered! The only resource that offers mankind a way out of the savagery and brutality of these murders is to apply the principles found in the Bible.
Imagine if Paul’s instruction to the Romans were applied all over the world, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
If the principles emphasized by the Apostle were practiced, there would be no unnecessary deaths at the hands of the police nor attacks upon the police. There would no killings on behalf of an ideology or religion. Instead, everyone would seek to apply the principles of outgoing concern for one another. Wounds and slights would begin to heal and we could at last move toward peace with one another.
If the five verses quoted were applied on a daily basis throughout the world, flags flying at half-mast would be a rarity.
Gary Smith
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