Now, I'm one of those flag-waving Americans. I'm even considering a trailer hitch to attach said flags, I'm just trying to decide how much of a redneck I want my car to be when it grows up. 

I find myself in a quandary. The Governor has issued another proclamation to lower the flags to half-staff. If you're like me, you automatically say, "What are we lowering them for this time?" 

I don't mean to disrespect anyone who had this honor bestowed on them, but it seems that we're overdoing it. We're turning this honor into a sort of participation trophy. You participated in society, so...

This week the Governor ordered them lowered in honor of a guy who was big in the Ag industry. I get it, farmers are important. Without them, we'd go hungry. At the same time, I know other farmers who have died and no one cared to order the flags lowered on their behalf. This guy just did other things in ag that made him popular in that circle I guess. 

In all honesty, probably because the Governor knew him, that's why it mattered. Maybe many people in her circle knew him and that's also why it mattered. But if I didn't know him, probably you didn't know him, so is he really worthy of that honor?

Now I'm all for lowering the flag every time a soldier is lost in battle. I think in those times we need to remember who is fighting so we don't have to. We need to honor anyone who puts their life on the line for all of us in the United States. 

I'd say it needs to be lowered every time a police officer loses their life in the line of duty for the same reasons. They are out there protecting all of us. 

I "might" even say we should lower it for politicians who have served, but that one is even getting iffy for me. Honestly, being a politician is also "just a job" and "someone has to do it" so why should we pay the wages of these people, then also lower the flag for them when they pass away because they did their desk job?

Now, when a president dies, I think that might be the only one that it should be lowered for. The whole country puts them in office, and they are the leader of the whole country, so that one, I guess, should be on the list. 

God forbid that our country gets hit again like it did on 9/11 I think the flag should be lowered for a long time in a situation like that one. 

Lowering the flag is supposed to be a really big deal. But now I barely stop my eyes from rolling when I ask, "who are we lowering it for this time?" It shouldn't get that kind of reaction. The reaction should be, "Oh no! What happened????" It should be shocking to see. Shocking to learn about. When you get the answer, it should be a resounding, "Oh no!" rather than, "Who?" and "They did what again?"

I remember when the two guards in Anamosa were killed. That, in my book, was flag-lowering worthy. They were protecting society by helping to keep the monsters off the streets, and ultimately, they were killed for it. 

The soldiers who lost their lives in battle this last year, yes, definitely lower the flag for them. They deserve every bit of recognition. 

And yes, I'm guessing that someone out there might disagree with me on this one, probably because they might know the guy from this week. But honestly, I know farmers who have done a lot of good, yet, flags won't be lowered for them. I know veterans who have died that should have had a flag lowered for them, but it wasn't. 

I guess maybe it boils down to this. Unless you are in the line of fire, the flag flies. It stays right at the top of the pole. If someone fires at those protecting us, the flag goes down and we become angry that it is lowered for that reason. 

If a president dies, whether they were a democrat or republican, whether you like their politics or not, the flag gets lowered as a sign of grief for someone who was responsible for our whole country. Politically, I don't care which side of the aisle you're on, you be respectful and honor the office. 

Sure, the presidents will be remembered for things they did in office, at the same time, they held an office that stood between us and WWIII. They made decisions on our behalf. They held the highest seat. They earned it. 

Now, I suppose the same could be said for a governor, and I might would say, "I'll allow it," but I think that's it. Only if the majority of the state or country put you in leadership do you qualify. 

So I say, fly the flags high. Keep them there. If we bring them down, it's because the country is in real mourning over someone who stood between us and evil.

The flag is a national symbol. It should reflect the nation's grief. And when it is lowered, it's for a person whose name should be known for their sacrifices. 

I suppose this will be unpopular and uncomfortable, but hey, that's why I'm here.