UPDATED: Dec 8, 2013 20:54 GMT
A South Carolina sheriff is refusing to lower the American
flag in tribute to Nelson Mandela, saying the honor should
be reserved for American citizens.
President Barack Obama ordered flags lowered to half-
staff for the international icon until sunset Monday.
But Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark says not in his
department.

"It's just my simple opinion that the flag should only be
lowered to half-staff for Americans who sacrificed for their
country," Clark told CNN affiliate WHNS.
It should be lowered at the U.S. Embassy in South Africa,
he said, but not at home.
The flag in his department was lowered over the weekend
to honor a fallen law enforcement officer and for Pearl
Harbor Day. But it will stay up Sunday, he said.
"I have no problem lowering it in South Africa in their
country but not for our country. It should be the people
who have sacrificed for our country."

A spokesman for the department said the sheriff cannot
be disciplined.
"He's not breaking a law. It's his decision. And I support
the decision of the sheriff," Chief Deputy Creed Hashe
said.


Mandela became the symbol of the fight against racial
discrimination in South Africa and served 27 years behind
bars for defying the apartheid government. He died
Thursday at age 95.

Though rare, the lowering of flags for foreign citizens is
nothing new.


George W. Bush did it for Pope John Paul II eight years
ago. Bill Clinton did it when former Israeli Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in the 1990s.


In fact, the practice goes as far back as 1965, when
President Lyndon Johnson ordered flags lowered for
former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
But not all world leaders get the honor.
This year, Obama issued a statement expressing his
condolences for the death of former British Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher. But he did not order the flag lowered.

American presidents can issue the executive order at their
discretion, the Flag Code states. In general, presidents
reserve the honor for major national figures, including
governors and foreign dignitaries.

The code says it's only a guide and it does not offer
penalties for noncompliance.
cnnmobile.com/primary/fullarticle?articleId=cnn/2013/12/08/us/sheriff-mandela-no-half-staff&pageSize=10&category=intl

South Carolina shebi?
Racist Backward people!