Alabama GOP official refuses to lower flags for Orlando victims because they ‘don’t meet the test’

As flags were lowered to half-staff across the country this week in honor of those killed in the Orlando massacre, one county official in Alabama refused to take part in the act.

Responding to the State Governor and President Obama’s order that all flags at public buildings be lowered to half-staff, Baldwin County Commissioner Tucker Dorsey declared that the tragedy wasn’t worthy of the honor.

“I am of the opinion, by reading the flag code of the United States, that while my heart certainly goes out to the victims and their families … it doesn’t meet the test of the reason for the flag to be lowered to half-staff,” Dorsey told a local NBC Local 15.

According to the NY Daily News, Dorsey “split hairs” over bureaucratic codes which say “the flag will be lowered only during Memorial Day and following the deaths of government officials.”

“I realize that the President and Governor may make the order, but I believe and interpret their order inconsistent with the adopted flag code,” Dorsey said to the Daily News.

But his splitting of hairs is raising the eyebrows of a few colleagues, and they’re wondering where his sudden attack of stubbornness came from.

“When the flag is at half-staff, our country’s head is figuratively held low, and quite frankly, I am not willing to hang my head down because of a terrorist attack against our people and our allies,” Dorsey said.

Watch a report on the story of NBC Local 15:

Featured image: Michael Dumas/mdumas@al.com

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.

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