YOUR VIEWS Letters to the Editor
Flags abused at event
The U.S. Flag Code is the official guide for handling and display of the flag of the United States. It is defined as United States Code, Title 4. Subsection b of the code under Chapter 1, the Flag, Section 8, respect for the Flag reads: "(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise."
In the display of American flags just off of Skiles walkway on campus for a September 11 memorial, there were multiple flags that were flown in a manner so that they touched the ground or were completely lying on the ground. These are disrespectful acts towards the flag as defined by U.S. law. The Stars and Stripes is the flag our nation has agreed to represent us all. Men and women have fought for it, died defending it, and have shown utmost respect for it. It has flown from our national landmarks, covered the caskets of our heroes, and been with us through the toughest of times.
It is a sad sight when Old Glory is not treated with the honor it deserves. Instead of using flags of appropriate mast heights, or providing stable ground to ensure they flew upright and above the ground, these flags were treated as if they were a dime a dozen. By not honoring the flag, the result is showing disrespect to all Americans, past and present, who have called the flag their own. The message of supporting and honoring fallen Americans is lost when at the same time the symbol of our nation is cheapened and degraded. I urge the organization in charge of the memorial to properly and respectfully retire all affected flags.
Grant Farmer
EAS grad student
Administrative runaround raises frustrations
Has anyone else had a really gut-wrenching time so far trying to navigate Tech? The administration of this place seems to have no idea what they are doing. You try to take care of something with your loans or residency status and it's all "go there" and "talk to them." Then you do get there (always way over on the other side of campus) and they can't help either.
Then it always goes back to going online and doing it all yourself-no big deal if they would have told you that in the first place. So I guess all of the university administration need to be replaced with computers, because having to figure out the people as well as the technology here is a little much when actually we will personally have to take care of whatever the problem is anyway-while still paying the school a ton of money.
Will Lance
City Planning grad student
