Failure to Communicate

Remember the famous line in Cool Hand Luke, when the prison warden said to Luke, "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

Well, something is broken in the County's communication link regarding messages from the Governor's office related to lowering the U.S. and Illinois flags in memory of Illinois' Fallen. When a member of the military dies in combat, the Governor announces a three-day period when U.S. and State flags are to be flown at half-staff. The County should be on the email distribution list.

About a week ago, McHenry County lowered its flags upon the Governor's directive but, for some reason, they are not doing so this time. This morning I emailed a high-ranking elected official to alert him to the Governor's directive, but the flags were still flying high at 6:40PM over the McHenry County Vietnam Memorial and in front of the County Government Center.

Is McHenry County just too busy to lower the flags? Is someone on vacation with substitute in charge during his absence? Is McHenry County thumbing its nose at this important directive?

Now, I happen to think that the United States flag should fly high at all times. You never lower the flag for any reason. I think the only time the U.S. flag should come down is if we are invaded and lose. However, the Governor orders the flags lowered following the death of an Illinois serviceman or servicewoman; in this case, for a soldier who died April 6.

I hate to see the flag lowered, because it reminds me of the sacrifice being made by members of the military, who follow orders and engage in mortal combat or are the victims of roadside bombs or other type of combat.

We should be outraged that we have gotten sucked into a war that we never should have started. So, when I see the flags lowered, I am also reminded of the idiots in Washington and the lies upon which they justified the invasion of Iraq.

In the meantime, McHenry County, assign someone to pay attention to the email from the Governor's office and lower the flags. And remember to assign someone to raise them at the end of the period of mourning.