The Lowering of a Nation

I saw a strange site the other day, flags at half mast on the White House, Capitol and other government buildings. At first I had to wonder who had died, and try as I might I could not figure out who it was. Then, while getting ready for the Noon Show I saw that it was for the Tidal Wave victims, and I was disappointed.

I feel bad for those poor people over there and it truly is a tragedy of the greatest scale. That being said, say a prayer, send money if you wish and that is the end. We should not be sending millions over there to help fund extremists and terrorists. What is he saying you ask, well most of the regions hit by this Tidal Wave are either in the midst of decades old civil wars or have governments unfriendly to the US (one or two had rejoicing in the street on 9/11). Most of the aid going there is already sitting on docks, rotting, while the warlords and gangs divided it up, take there cut, supply black markets before it heads to the relief centers. Pre-Gulf War if a disaster had hit Iraq and we sent millions to Saddam to help his people, how much would have gotten to the people?! Just because we do not know the names of these despots does not mean they are not as bad or worse than Castro or Saddam.

It is time to tend to our needs here and let abroad worry about abroad. It is time to stop sending aid to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America and put that money into the inner cities. Help fund and support schools, homeless shelters, small business, farming and research. Take the money that was supposed to go to these countries that now hate us because of Iraq and take some families off the street and into a new home. Fund police to go after gangs and drug dealers. Beef up the Border patrols, fund the immigration department, kick illegals out and rebuild our infrastructure.

Bring home out troops not on the war front. Troops in Japan, Germany, France, England and South Korea. Billions are spent every year to keep troops abroad. We are not wanted so lets leave. Bring them home, support and relieve the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Take the others to train and defend our border with Mexico. Take that money saved to secure our airports and seaports.

Sure I am in a rant but I am feed up with bullshit policy and wasted money in our government. I live paycheck to paycheck and have to worry about certain parts of downtown because of another round of budget cuts to the local police department. But then my federal tax dollars go overseas as aid to countries like Japan, Kenya, Somalia, South Korea, it is just so frustrating.

And just for the record here is a link to flag position and manner of display:

(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection—

(1) the term “half-staff” means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;

(2) the term “executive or military department” means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States Code; and

(3) the term “Member of Congress” means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.