Solace in the Flag?

There are moments when wearing the flag on your sleeve is appropriate and other moments when expression of human sympathy without the red, white and blue is more suited. While sorry for the loss of life and the tragedy at VA Tech, what in the world does the magnitude of the tragedy have to do with the Star Spangled Banner, a battle hymn? Well, this is clearly an effort by Bush to circumvent the tragedy and anger at Virgina's easy gun laws by shoveling out the patriotism.

I am particularly struck by this display because during my graduation ceremony (a second degree earned late in life), the entire first half hour was completely patrio-militarized (marching, color guard, pledge of allegiance, national anthem, honoring the troops, blah, blah). This was not the case when I earned my first degree. We sang the school song and the band played "Pomp and Circumstance" as we marched out.