In many ways my life is bookended by Richard Nixon and Donald Trump. Certainly any innocence I ever had about politics is contained within those two presidencies. The first election I was ever aware of was the 1960 election between JFK and Nixon, having been only three in 1956. But 1960 made an impression on me, not to mention the world, as the dashing young WWII hero trounced the surly incumbent VP.
Then Nixon came back many years later and the scandal of Watergate broke. I didn’t think I could hate anybody as much as I hated Nixon. Little did I know. OMG. Little did I know. But for all his faults, history has actually come to regard Nixon kindly because he was competent (although crooked) and he had a deep and abiding respect for government and for our institutions. Nixon also was sworn in, in January, 1973, during the 30-day mourning period for Harry Truman. And the flags were at half-staff.
It was Lady Karma’s way of presaging what was the come, the flags at half-staff on that day in 1973, just as today the same kind of thing is being said about Trump being sworn in while the flags display a nation’s mourning. But the difference between Nixon and Trump — again — is that Nixon had far too much respect for American protocol and so he didn’t make a stink about the flags. Trump, however, is. So this is a long winded way to telling you that yes, America, Mike Johnson has announced that the flags will be raised to suit Baby Donald, because his fee fees are more important than our cultural norms.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he is going to order that the flags at the Capitol, which are at half-staff due to the death of former President Jimmy Carter, be raised for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration — defying a White House proclamation.
Leaving a GOP press conference Tuesday morning, Johnson nodded his head when asked if he would be raising the flags next week. He later confirmed his decision in a post on X.
“On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump. The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter,” Johnson posted. […]
The U.S. Code, written by Congress, says that the American flag “shall be flown” at half-staff for 30 days upon the death of a president or former president.
But screw the U.S. Code, screw a presidential proclamation, screw tradition, screw every and anything that doesn’t pander specifically to making Trump happy for the moment.
I suppose we should be grateful that the flags will go back down again on the 21st. Or maybe they won’t. Don’t count on it, is what I’m saying. Because Trump has made one thing clear as glass, which is that he’s going to do whatever he wants. And so there could well be another presidential proclamation, cancelling out Joe Biden’s proclamation, because then Trump can show everybody what a tough guy he is and who’s boss.
We are in for some sad and classless times ahead. A lot of them, unfortunately.
**************
Friends, I am forced to self-promote and ask you for money. We had a bad year compared with 2023 and the end of the year has been catastrophic. Traffic died on November 5. We are a small blog and completely self-supporting by ad revenue, donations, and subscriptions. If you can afford a monthly subscription that would help us out. If you can make a donation, likewise. Our only goal is to stay in business and give you the best content we can generate. You are the wind beneath our wings. Thank you. Ursula
this guy always desecrates our flag, I would expect nothing less.
I think that flags should be flown at half-staff for the next four years as a sign of mourning for our country.
And upside down, as a distress signal.
But But But wait a minute. Biden is our president until the evil one is installed. So how can Johnson override a Presidential order? How about not lowering the flag until Phucker has lied about his oath of office while placing his hand on his fake Bible. Then if he wants the flag raised then he has to order it raised? I have never hated nor imagined I could hate anyone as much as I hate that piece of sh.t.!!!!