Steve Jobs Will Not Be Down For Breakfast!!!

[CBeilby]

I was in the park the day that it was announced that Lilian Disney had died, and they had the flag on Main Street at half mast that day as well.

[Zazu]

Well, it looks like I have some major crow to eat, thanks to additional research.

First, President Obama did order US flags flown at half staff. Normally I get a notice of such orders at work, but this time I didn't. So much for Disney reliability.

Second, the main flag at Disneyland was lowered on the day of Walt's death, but it was later raised by order of those who thought it an inappropriate action. Might have gone up and down several times according to some reports. I'm guessing it was before Ernie's time or it would have been done right the first time.

Third, the report above that the flag was lowered at Disneyland for Lillian Disney is news to me, and no less appropriate than it being lowered for Walt.

I continue to maintain, however, that only the President has the authority to lower the US flag, despite the flag law having been vacated back in the 60s. While no longer a written law, I still believe it to be an unwritten law worthy of our respect.

My thanks to those who have given me additional information.

[Main Streeter]

the main flag at Disneyland was lowered on the day of Walt's death, but it was later raised by order of those who thought it an inappropriate action. Might have gone up and down several times according to some reports. I'm guessing it was before Ernie's time or it would have been done right the first time.

Yes, way before Ernie's hire date - July 27,1992. My Mom, Choir director for DL, (hired by Walt himself) stated the flag at DisneyLand was lowered when Walt died.

[Shorty82]

Well, it looks like I have some major crow to eat, thanks to additional research.

First, President Obama did order US flags flown at half staff. Normally I get a notice of such orders at work, but this time I didn't. So much for Disney reliability.

I normally get an email telling me of orders to fly the flag at half staff but I didn't this time, so it's not just Disney being unreliable.

[felinefan]

IMHO, those who ordered the flag that had been lowered for Walt was "inappropriate" is equal to the censors cutting Judy Garland saying, "This is for you, Jack" before she sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic following Kennedy's assassination because it was "Too political". In other words, stupid. I've seen the video of that, and I believe Mom said it right when she said that when Judy sang, she was really telling them all to to go hell. She was glaring at them off-camera the whole time she sang. Seriously, why is it "inappropriate" for a flag to be at half-staff for Walt, or why is it "too political" for a song to be dedicated to a fallen President? I don't get that.

[Zazu]

Seriously, why is it "inappropriate" for a flag to be at half-staff for Walt...? I don't get that.

Well, the theory is that lowering a flag is a sign of respect *from* the person, organization, or nation that flag represents. In each case, someone (or some group) has the authority to decide who to honor. For individual flags, it's the person -- not their neighbor. For organizations, it's usually the CEO or Board -- not the security staff. And for nations, it's the president or prime minister -- not random citizens, no matter how heart-felt their respect or how worthy the honoree.

Think of it like tipping your hat in greeting. You tip your own hat; you don't let somebody else decide to tip it for you.

Thus it is entirely appropriate for Bob Iger to order the Disney flag lowered in respect. That's his role, and that's the flag he's responsible for. It would be incorrect for Bob to have ordered me to lower my personal flag at home, just as it is for him to order a national flag lowered without presidential authority.

Does that make any sense?

[Goofyernmost]

Well, the theory is that lowering a flag is a sign of respect *from* the person, organization, or nation that flag represents. In each case, someone (or some group) has the authority to decide who to honor. For individual flags, it's the person -- not their neighbor. For organizations, it's usually the CEO or Board -- not the security staff. And for nations, it's the president or prime minister -- not random citizens, no matter how heart-felt their respect or how worthy the honoree.

Think of it like tipping your hat in greeting. You tip your own hat; you don't let somebody else decide to tip it for you.

Thus it is entirely appropriate for Bob Iger to order the Disney flag lowered in respect. That's his role, and that's the flag he's responsible for. It would be incorrect for Bob to have ordered me to lower my personal flag at home, just as it is for him to order a national flag lowered without presidential authority.

Does that make any sense?

Always did to me, even before you explained it.

[WEDFan]

Perfectly clear, as always, Zazu. I think it's the difference between flag etiquette and flag law. I try to follow etiquette whenever I know it, including for flags.

I was constantly worked up about flags locally after 9/11. Suddenly everyone was flying flags and most didn't know how to show proper respect through etiquette. They would put them out and never take them in, even when unlit. They had non-weatherproof ones hung outside that you could practically see deteriorating before your eyes. People hung flags on walls the wrong way. Every time I went walking through the neighborhood I was muttering.

[felinefan]

Thanks, Zazu. I once had a sheet of paper with not only the rules for displaying flags, but also how to properly fold them, even what each fold means. Really interesting. If anyone can find that and post it--not sure if mine is still in storage or even where it might be--I think we can all appreciate it.

[Zazu]

Thanks, Zazu. I once had a sheet of paper with not only the rules for displaying flags, but also how to properly fold them, even what each fold means. Really interesting. If anyone can find that and post it--not sure if mine is still in storage or even where it might be--I think we can all appreciate it.

Just a quick warning: Any attempt to define the meaning of each "fold" is pure claptrap. There has never been an official meaning to the folds, and the oldest citation that claims it is from the 1950s.

As usual, Snopes has a definitive report on the matter.