Flags at half mast today at the World

[dis-happy]

Not sure if this has been posted already, as we were busy arriving, unpacking, then attending MNSSHP. But noticed when we pulled into CR that the 4 American flags our front were at half mast, as well as the one at the MK train station. The gate guard confirmed that were flying in honor of Steve Jobs.

 

[SwirlyGirly]

So great to see someone being celebrated for their genius.

Not sure if this has been posted already, as we were busy arriving, unpacking, then attending MNSSHP. But noticed when we pulled into CR that the 4 American flags our front were at half mast, as well as the one at the MK train station. The gate guard confirmed that were flying in honor of Steve Jobs.

 

[SIMJUN]

Well he was the single biggest Disney shareholder.

 

[FigmentChick]

So great to see someone being celebrated for their genius.

Seconded.

 

[PoohsFan1]

So great to see someone being celebrated for their genius.

I couldn't agree more ....RIP!

 

[Carriemel]

Jobs was the single biggest stock holder of the Walt Disney Company...wonder if that had something to do with the half-mast flags...

 

[Jacie]

Jobs was the single biggest stock holder of the Walt Disney Company...wonder if that had something to do with the half-mast flags...

I'm PRETTY sure it probably had something to do with Jobs involvement with the up and rising of Pixar. He is most likely being celebrated for his innovated thinking, not his money.
Which he deserves FULL recognition for. That man was a genius.

 

[mking624]

I'm PRETTY sure it probably had something to do with Jobs involvement with the up and rising of Pixar. He is most likely being celebrated for his innovated thinking, not his money.
Which he deserves FULL recognition for. That man was a genius.

Absolutely this. He had served as both CEO and chairman of the board for Pixar and then was on the board of directors for Disney when they acquired Pixar. I'd say the flags are way more about that than the whole stock holder thing.
I did read the Bob Iger ordered the flags to be at half staff from October 6-12 in honor of him. I think it's wonderful.

 

[larryz]

It might as well be me.

The CEO of Walt Disney Inc doesn't have the authority to order that US flags be flown at half staff. He can do what he wants with Disney flags, but the US flag stays at full height unless the President orders it to half staff (and a few other exceptions).

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

I admired Steve Jobs as much as the next geek, but lowering the US national flag is not an appropriate tribute, no matter how many gadgets he invented, shares of Disney stock he owned, or Apple stock millionaires he created.

And this is not just my opinion -- it's US law. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

 

[juliebug1997]

While I think Uncle Walt would have appreciated Jobs ingenuity and intelligence, I don't think he would appreciated Jobs denying that he was the father of a child for many years. If you've seen the Walt biography "Walt: A Man and His Dream", you know that family was the most important thing to him.

I respect Jobs and his intelligence and his ingenuity, but I do not respect him as a man. I'm sorry that he died and that medicine could not save him. I hope his children are able to find comfort and that they have good memories of him to sustain them through the next, difficult part of their lives.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It might as well be me.

The CEO of Walt Disney Inc doesn't have the authority to order that US flags be flown at half staff. He can do what he wants with Disney flags, but the US flag stays at full height unless the President orders it to half staff (and a few other exceptions).

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

I admired Steve Jobs as much as the next geek, but lowering the US national flag is not an appropriate tribute, no matter how many gadgets he invented, shares of Disney stock he owned, or Apple stock millionaires he created.

And this is not just my opinion -- it's US law. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

You and I are on the same wavelength right now. Did the President order this??? I hadn't heard of that.

 

[Jacie]

You and I are on the same wavelength right now. Did the President order this??? I hadn't heard of that.

The President isn't always the one who can order the flags as half-mast.
And I don't think anyone was arguing whether or not it was 'legal.' (And let's be honest, how many flag violations are there in the US?)

I'D personally rather see flags at half mast for someone who contributed amazing things to the world, rather than some corrupt politician who did whatever he could to pad his pocket.

 

[crashbb]

It might as well be me.

The CEO of Walt Disney Inc doesn't have the authority to order that US flags be flown at half staff. He can do what he wants with Disney flags, but the US flag stays at full height unless the President orders it to half staff (and a few other exceptions).

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

I admired Steve Jobs as much as the next geek, but lowering the US national flag is not an appropriate tribute, no matter how many gadgets he invented, shares of Disney stock he owned, or Apple stock millionaires he created.

And this is not just my opinion -- it's US law. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

Also, unless WDW suddenly became a ship, it is half STAFF not half MAST.

 

[budmonster]

It might as well be me.

The CEO of Walt Disney Inc doesn't have the authority to order that US flags be flown at half staff. He can do what he wants with Disney flags, but the US flag stays at full height unless the President orders it to half staff (and a few other exceptions).

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

I admired Steve Jobs as much as the next geek, but lowering the US national flag is not an appropriate tribute, no matter how many gadgets he invented, shares of Disney stock he owned, or Apple stock millionaires he created.

And this is not just my opinion -- it's US law. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

I've been married to an LEO for 20 years and when we lost a fellow LEO all the local flags were flown at half mast. I'm pretty sure it was done without a presidential order.

So I would think that if WDW wants to fly their flags at half mast their going to do it.

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

I think it's great they are honoring someone such as Steve Jobs. He was an amazing person.

 

[disnut8]

I love my country, I would die for it. I respect whoever is sitting in the White House no matter if I voted for him/her or not. I love my flag.

But I really don't care if someone can legally lower a flag to half staff or mast. Or whatever.

I think it's Disney doing the right thing. It's a class act. And I applaud a company that some think is only out for profits to stop and think about a feeling. It means a lot.

 

[Mama Who]

I love my country, I would die for it. I respect whoever is sitting in the White House no matter if I voted for him/her or not. I love my flag.

But I really don't care if someone can legally lower a flag to half staff or mast. Or whatever.

I think it's Disney doing the right thing. It's a class act. And I applaud a company that some think is only out for profits to stop and think about a feeling. It means a lot.

This. If honoring a great innovator with a lovely gesture of respect breaches etiquette... I'm okay with that.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The following is on The Hub

"The Chief Security Officer of The Walt Disney Company has received a direction from Bob Iger to lower both US and Disney flags to half-staff October 6-12, 2011, in observance of the passing of Steven Paul Jobs.

In addition to co-founding Apple, Steve Jobs co-founded and was the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios. Steve's connection to Disney continued as Pixar merged with The Walt Disney Company in 2006. Steve also served on the board of directors for The Walt Disney Company. We are saddened by his passing and are grateful for the impact he has had on our lives and company.

In preparation, listed below is the flag protocol to be followed:

Flags should be brought to half-staff immediately, October 6 and returned to full staff at sunrise Thursday, Oct. 13."

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks, CF. We have better things to do than bicker about this honor to a world-class, truly beloved American innovator.

Posted from my iMac.

 

[nytimez]

From what I read in the link provided earlier, the law spells out when the president can order the lowering of the flag. But it never specifically states that these are the only times a flag can be lowered.

I know the FAQ on that US History site says this to be true, but I can't find anything in the code that specifically says it. Can someone point it out?

The only thing I can find is this: "In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law." (bolding mine)

To me, that means the flag can be lowered as long as it's not inconsistent with the law describing the protocol for the lowering of the flag to half staff.

In any case, I think it was a classy and fitting tribute to a great American -- we should all be proud of what he accomplished, and all mourn his loss.