Flag tribute to Pope sparks anger

[raedyn]

technically Tibet is still part of China.

This is a point of much contention. China would say yes. But China is being a big bully. If I park my motorhome on your lawn and say "I'm parked here, it's my yard" and then disappear/kill any members of your family that disagree with me, does that make it true?

It's a little more complicated with entire nations, because there's no land titles registry for nations. But generally it's all about diplomatic relations and if other countries treat that country as an independent nation.

I suppose the question of whether or not he is head of state depends on whether or not the USA recognizes Tibet as its own country, or as part of China.

Well, you're on the right track. The USA isn't the great arbiter of nation-or-not. Not everyone cowtows to the pronouncements of America. However, if the US lowered their flags at the loss of the Dali Lama, it would be a message statement towards China that the US is prepared to treat him as a Head of State, and therefore give recognition to Tibet. I imagine China would see it as a slap in the face.

I would support national lowering of the flag if the Dali Lama died.

 

[ginshun]

Well, you're on the right track. The USA isn't the great arbiter of nation-or-not. Not everyone cowtows to the pronouncements of America.

Ya, I know that, but we were talking about American flags. At least I thought we were. :idunno:


I do think your right though, they did it for the Pope, I hope they do it for the Lama as well, when the time comes.

 

[raedyn]

Ya, I know that, but we were talking about American flags. At least I thought we were. :idunno:

Who knows? I think most people in this thread were talking about American flags. But the post was about French flags in France. And there's a Canadian contingient on this board, and in this thread. :idunno:

 

[Flatlander]

Indeed.

 

[ginshun]

Well, lets just say that whether or not the Dalai Lama is a head of state depends on wheter [insert your country here] recognizes Tibet as a soverign state or not. Agreed?

Only one thing is for sure concerning the Lama and the Pope.
The Pope has a bigger hat, nobody can argue against that one. :ultracool

 

[TonyM.]

The controversy is that by lowering the flag as a nation, the nation is recognising the authority of the pope.

 

[Ray]

The controversy is that by lowering the flag as a nation, the nation is recognising the authority of the pope.

Question: what authority is the nation recognizing?

I think it's more likely that the pres is acknowledging the pope's leadership of such a large group of people; and his efforts in the cause of peace.

 

[Rich Parsons]

The controversy is that by lowering the flag as a nation, the nation is recognising the authority of the pope.

Yes as the leader of the Free city state Vatican City located in Rome Italy, the U.S. may lower their flag in honoring this other leader. This sign of respect is expected from our country as it is in our culture. It would not be expected from Austrailia where their culture shows respect in a differnet way and manner.

If you do not lower the flag then it would be considerd a major insult.

And this is from the guy, who wants the term "GOD" removed from money, and only allowed in the court houses for historical purposes.

 

[Brother John]

That's silly!!!!!!
I don't care what faith a person is, if they've done the WORLD as much good as Pope John Paul II has..... I don't have a worry about pretty much any sign of respect for their passing.

silly....

Your Brother
John

 

[Brother John]

The controversy is that by lowering the flag as a nation, the nation is recognising the authority of the pope.

It's not 'recognizing authority' of anyone. It's showing respect for a man that was a great force for peace and gave many hope.... even people like me who aren't now and never have been Catholic. It's not a religious endorsement, it's a nice gesture of respect.

Your Brother
John