I am in charge of flag detail at a federal building in California. We receive numerous orders each year to lower the United States flag to half staff in rememberance and in honor of fallen federal service employees or for significant members of U.S. History. For example, we lowered the flag to half staff in memory of the civil rights activist Dorothy Height when she passed this year. We lowered for Ted Kennedy when he passed. We lowered it when Obama was elected...no wait...wasn't supposed to say that.

Anyway! Just kidding. But seriously, when Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens was killed August 9th in a plane crash, the United States government NEVER ordered flags to be flown at half staff in his memory. This is hard to believe considering that he was the longest serving Senator to ever serve Alaska - over 40 years. He served in the public sector for over 50.

"Stevens served for six decades in the American public sector, beginning with his service in World War II. In the 1950s, he held senior positions in the Eisenhower Interior Department. He played key roles in legislation that shaped Alaska's economic and social development, including the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. He was also known for his sponsorship of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, which resulted in the establishment of the United States Olympic Committee."

Now, I understand Stevens was under investigation for misconduct and was actually found guilty of some charges. However, he was later cleared of all charges and apologies were issued saying the charges against him had been illegit. I can say for sure that Senator Ted Kennedy had FAR more claims against him with FAR more suspicions and allegations that Ted Stevens ever had. And Kennedy was still honored and remembered.

So...why wasn't Stevens? The reports that he was murdered by BP or the feds might have something to do with this. But...who knows? Right?




[link to en.wikipedia.org]