Oakland County, MI Republicans refuse to lower flag for war dead [View All]

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This just in:

"AP-MI--Flag Flap

Oakland County exec won't lower flags for troops killed in action

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - One county isn't honoring Governor
Granholm's request to fly flags at half-staff when Michigan
soldiers are killed in active duty.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson calls the order
political symbolism. The Republican says it undermines the effort
in Iraq and promotes opposition to the war.
Granholm's order issued last year says state flags should be
lowered from the day the death is known until the soldier is
buried.
A spokeswoman says the Democratic governor won't force
municipalities to follow it or penalize those who don't. As she
puts it, "we're not the flag police."
The order took effect most recently last month after the death
of Army Private Nicholas Blodgett of Wyoming.


(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-08-06-04 0929EDT"