An intriguing suggestion from an Army sergeant in Afghanistan:

When we honor the flag by saluting it, we are honoring what it stands for. We honor freedom, the people it represents and a way of life.

Isn’t it time our flag saluted back when a person makes the ultimate sacrifice? Shouldn’t the flag, which represents our society, tip its hat when someone dies to ensure it will fly another day?

If the flags on our [forward operating bases] were lowered for just one day after the death of a servicemember, it would show the people who knew the person that society cared, the American people care.

Seems a perfectly valid point.

(Thanks to AMERICAblog for the link.)

Why mascots don't make particularly good memorial service attendees:

In response to the Virginia Tech shooting:

"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Good to know he has his priorities in order.