Are We Overusing the Tribute of Flying Flag at Half-staff?

I don't think it's overused either. I feel like most of the time, they're lowered for a good reason. They shouldn't be at half staff every day of the year, but leaving it up to local governments in each state is the best idea, and then for incidents on a national level, the federal government can make the call.

I agree with you...I don't feel as if it's being overused, but it may be because I'm not in favor of more regulations regarding the lowering of the flag. As the article puts it, "setting limits can be thorny." It's a free speech issue, and speech should remain as free as possible.

I don't think it's over used. The only time I can recall it being over used was when the POTUS wanted flags at half staff for Whitney Houston. That was rediculous. IMHO. I fly mine at half staff the thirteenth thru the sixteenth of every month in honor of my son who died in 1994. It's my way of continuing to get through each day by honoring him. Nobody else but my wife know why I do it. I also fly it at half staff when a tragedy has happened like 9-11, and currently the five police officers killed in my home state. I don't abuse the privilege, but I do use it.