Everyone has their own priorities
Monday, Nov 2, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From today’s press conference…
Q: Governor, can I just ask one more question? It’s about the American flag, it’s about the American flag because there’s a man who’s a World War II vet, he’s also a Korean War vet, he wants to know why the flag is still at half-staff. I know you ordered all the municipalities to put it to half-staff in March. It’s been eight months now. When can we see it at full-staff? [crosstalk about something to do with election day]
A: We’ve lost more than three 9/11’s in nine months. More than three 9/11’s. More than 9,700 people have passed away. We are losing dozens of people every single day. So, yes, I think during this pandemic, I think until we get through this pandemic, I think it’s the right thing to do to recognize the terrible loss that so many people, who can’t even go to a funeral sometimes for a relative or a friend, this is one way that we can honor all of them.
- Smile Politely - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:40 pm:
Fair Question, Fair Answer
- HotSauce - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:42 pm:
Oof, what a terrible response. He could have just left it at ” I think until we get through this pandemic, I think it’s the right thing to do to recognize the terrible loss that so many people, who can’t even go to a funeral sometimes for a relative or a friend, this is one way that we can honor all of them” that first half is pretty unnecessary.
- Bruce( no not him) - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:47 pm:
I hate to ask. Was it Amy?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:54 pm:
===I hate to ask===
lol
You know the answer.
- Rasselas - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:54 pm:
Does the man who ‘wants to know’ actually exist?
- don the legend - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:55 pm:
Maybe he should have said as long as Clay County residents can’t fish it will stay at half-staff. /s
- chicago hope - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:55 pm:
Psst. Hey Governor. The city of Chicago suffers a Columbine level of shooting deaths every week. Anything for those victims?
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:56 pm:
Was that reporter from Channel 20?
- Gedge787 - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:56 pm:
Terrible question. Great answer by JB. Why shouldnt he talk about the death count? It’s REAL and its NOT stopping anytime soon until we have a national policy to contain the virus. We’re in the 3rd wave - like it or not. We may have another 9000 dead by inauguration day because the president thinks ignoring the virus/ herd immunity is the answer.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:59 pm:
Amy Amy Amy…sigh. Yea, Amy, they’re really all dead. And yeah, Amy, a lot more are going to die regardless of the presidential race.
- Jibba - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:15 pm:
Hotsauce…I didn’t see anything wrong with it at all. Just like in another thread today, people’s political opinions cause them to put attitudes or intentions on another’s actions/words.
- Earnest - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:18 pm:
Flags are less common than they used to be. My dad was a WWII vet and always put out our flag on holidays. When he did jigsaw puzzles he’d do the flag first if there was one. He would have approved of Pritzker’s choice and had his own flag out every day over the same time period. Sacrifice for the common good was a thing he understood deeply.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:18 pm:
chicago hope - eh?
Before you say anything, do a little research and find out how conservative Cal Skinner is … http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/10/23/federal-anti-crime-efforts-in-chicago-area-part-4/
- HotSauce - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:36 pm:
Jibba… like you said its an opinion, I don’t disagree keeping the flag at half staff for a global health pandemic, I actually kind of like the idea. And maybe it was his way of trying to put into perspective the scope of the pandemic. I just think there are better comparisons.
Again, like the Gov’s symbolism behind the flag at half staff… just not the biggest fan of this statement.
- False Flag - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:41 pm:
Terrible answer; so the Gov is basically saying a half-staff is meaningless.
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:49 pm:
By the Governor’s logic the flag should have been at half staff for all of WW2. I think it is a misuse of the symbolism.
- Sayitaintso - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:51 pm:
If I recall correctly Jim Thompson ordered flags at half-staff when a person who was head of the Tollway died. By comparison, Pritzker is not out of line.
- Leigh John-Ella - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:52 pm:
GREAT answer. The lives lost mean something and kudos to the governor for getting that.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply wrong.
- DrurysMissingClock - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:55 pm:
If this is actually of concern to you, you’re an exceptionally lucky person with no real problems.
- Tom Paine - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:19 pm:
“Hey Walter Cronkite, why do you keep talking about the Hostages in Iran…it’s been 232 days already!”
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:44 pm:
Had to be Amy asking that.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:10 pm:
==so the Gov is basically saying a half-staff is meaningless==
==I think it is a misuse of the symbolism==
I’ll bite. What’s your number? How many Illinoisan’s need to die from this catastrophe before we pay some respect? Or do we just lower it for certain folks? I’m wondering.
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:24 pm:
Yes we lower it for certain folks. Presidents, Justices of the Supreme Court, a few other people of national importance.
Illinois often lowers the flag for service members killed in the line of duty. Not for people killed in car crashes or shot by accident while deer hunting.
It is a function of who and how they died.
I understand the Governor’s thinking. Just don’t agree.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:51 pm:
==Not for people killed in car crashes or shot by accident while deer hunting.==
This pandemic is not like car crashes or hunting accidents. Many of the deaths are the unnecessary consequence of fellow citizens who insist on exercising their “freedom” to infect others with a deadly disease.
I see the lowered flag not only as a respectful way to honor those who lost their lives unnecessarily, but also as a reminder to the rest of us to take the pandemic seriously and act accordingly. That, I think, is the Governor’s point in the first part of his answer.
- Leigh John-Ella - Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:00 pm:
Last Bull Moose to COVID victims: “Drop dead.”
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Nov 3, 20 @ 6:16 am:
=== Psst. Hey Governor. The city of Chicago suffers a Columbine level of shooting deaths every week. Anything for those victims?===
The flag is at half-staff.