PONTIAC, Mich. — A county executive refused an order from the governor to fly flags at half-staff in honor of fallen troops, saying the order politicized the war in Iraq.
Instead of lowering flags, government should be building support for the troops who are fighting the war, said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, a Republican.
"His feeling is that lowering the flags to half-staff really politicized the war and promotes opposition to the war," Patterson spokesman Robert Dustman said.
The executive order made in December by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm states that flags should be flown at half-staff from the day of the death or notification of death of an active-duty Michigan soldier until the day of interment. (Source)

Does lowering the flag to half-staff politicize the war or promote anti-war sentiment? When I see a lowered flag I don't think, "Gee, whoever died was fighting for an unjust cause." I tend to think of honor and pride for the fallen. When President Reagan died a 30 day half-staff was ordered, does that mean that we politicized Reagan and promoted anti-Reaganism or anti-Conservatism? I feel almost out of line in this since it was a Democratic govenor who ordered it and a Republican who's going against it- but this time I think I'm going to have to side with the Dem. (There must have been something in the taco meat for dinner.)

No, I'm not turning Democrat but I do believe in honoring and paying respect for our men and women who fall in the line of duty.