Americans are divided over lowering the flag to honor soldiers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, the New York Times reported today. T.M. Lindsey covered this issue for Iowa Independent last month when Gov. Chet Culver issued an executive order requiring all U.S. and state flags atop the Capitol and other public buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of fallen Iowa soldiers.

In some states, flags are not lowered at federal buildings even after the governor issues an order because as Lindsey noted:

"At the federal level, the flag is displayed at half-staff on Memorial Day, in mourning for the death of designated principal government leaders, and the death of the current or former President of the United States, or when directed by the President. There is no directive or code that honors individual American soldiers killed in the line of duty."

Last week, a bill sailed through the Senate that would allow governors to order the lowering of all flags in the state, including those at federal buildings. The bill passed the House in May, and is now on the desk of President George W. Bush–though it could be vetoed.

"Although Congressional staff members involved with the measure say Mr. Bush may want to sign it for patriotic reasons, he may also be reluctant to appear to be ceding power over federal officials to the states," the Times reported.

According to the Times, "Opponents of lowering the flag see it as a subtle antiwar gesture," but this statement seems unfounded; no one in the article ever says such a thing. The bill's sponsor, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), told the Times, "No matter what you think of the war, it really hurts military families when there is a lack of consistency in the show of respect."