Yet again, we see our national flag at half-staff as we mourn the loss of more lives from gun violence. And we must endure the continuing calls for our “thoughts and prayers” and admonishments directed at those of us who are outraged by the lack of courage and decency of our congressional representatives to take meaningful action to diminish the slaughter of citizens by other citizens. No, they say, this is not the time to “politicize” such tragedy.
The flag flies at half-staff at the White House on Tuesday, in honor of the victims of the shooting Monday at The Covenant School in Nashville. Susan Walsh/Associated Press
President Biden reminds us that he has done all he can do with his limited executive powers to address this horror. I have a suggestion he ought to consider if he can do so within the scope of his presidential powers: That he order all American flags flown at home and abroad be left at half-staff until and unless we take decisive action to finally halt our collective pathological behavior to hold guns more sacred than our children and all citizens in our society.
We may have the right to buy and shoot a weapon with a 100-round magazine, which, for many, is apparently a proud act of patriotism. But at this time in our history, do we really deserve the honor of proudly flying our national flag high?
Michael Beaudoin
Falmouth
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