I have coined this new term, a new fallacy of logic. It is a manifestation of grief and wanting to do something above and beyond for the deceased or, in many cases, doing bigger and better than last year’s (Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.) ceremony.
The image at the top of the page was generated by artificial intelligence at my request. It is only used here to illustrate a point.
Recently, a firefighter was murdered fighting a wildfire, presumably set to enable the arsonist to shoot the firefighters. We live in a depraved world and nothing anyone can say can bring about any logic to this or many other situations. There was something about the memorial that I must bring up.
“Honor”
On social media, I reshared a photo of an American flag laid over a deceased firefighter’s pickup truck and told how it was inappropriate to do so. The truck was part of a memorial set up in his honor. There was even a black strip of cloth (most likely a form of a mourning band) laid on the flag.
I identified the Flag Code violations in the photo.
- 4 U.S. Code § 7 – Position and manner of display (b) the flag will not be laid across the hood of a vehicle.
- 4 U.S. Code § 7 – Position and manner of display (n). The flag only lays on a casket.
- 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag (h) nothing is placed on or in the flag.
The Fallacies of the “argument” against my critique
In the situation above, one firefighter responded that all I’m doing is self-promoting using tragedy. That’s a low shot and quite inaccurate. In essence, the firefighter did not refute my claims of Flag Code violations; he attempted to discredit me as the messenger, thereby hoping to discredit my message.
- Ad Hominem (against the person): Instead of addressing my points about the Flag Code violations, he attacked me and my motives (“self-promoting using tragedy”). He shifted the focus from the validity of my argument to my character or intentions.
- Circumstantial Ad Hominem: This specific type of ad hominem suggests that someone’s argument is flawed because of their circumstances or motivations. In this case, the firefighter implied that my pointing out Flag Code violations is not a genuine concern for the flag or the fallen firefighter, but rather an opportunistic attempt to promote myself.
The Outsider
A common dynamic when an “outsider” comments on the practices of a tight-knit professional group, especially one with a strong sense of tradition and camaraderie like firefighters, is to close ranks and lash out.
This is very similar to the utter blind disrespect to out flag I write about here.
Here’s a breakdown of why this might be happening:
- “Insider” vs. “Outsider” Mentality: Professions like firefighting often foster a strong “us vs. them” mentality. They face unique dangers, responsibilities, and emotional tolls that most people don’t fully comprehend. When an outsider comments, even with good intentions, it can be perceived as lacking understanding or appreciation for their experiences and traditions. They might feel that unless you’ve “walked a mile in their boots,” you don’t have the standing to critique their practices.
- Protecting Their Own: Firefighters are incredibly loyal to their brethren. When one of their own is lost, the grief is immense, and the desire to honor them is paramount. Any perceived criticism of how they choose to honor their fallen comrade, even if it’s about protocol, can be seen as an attack on their respect for the deceased or their brotherhood. They may interpret comments as disrespectful to the memory of the fallen firefighter, regardless of any stated condolences.
- Tradition and Ritual: Honor guard duties and funeral protocols are deeply ingrained traditions within the fire service. These rituals provide comfort, structure, and a way to express collective grief and respect. There are no national guidelines except for the U.S. Flag Code so local departments often have their own specific interpretations and customs that have evolved over time.
- Perceived Lack of Empathy: In a moment of tragedy, emotions run high. Pointing out Flag Code violations, while technically accurate, might be perceived as cold, nitpicking, or lacking empathy for the overwhelming grief and desire to honor their colleague. They might see it as prioritizing rules over raw human emotion and respect.
- Defensiveness and Pride: Firefighters are often very proud of their service and their department. Criticism, especially from someone outside their ranks, can trigger defensiveness. They might feel you are undermining their professionalism or suggesting they are disrespectful, which can be a deeply offensive accusation to someone who dedicates their life to service.
The Pitfalls
What I encountered in the above situation was less about the logical validity of Flag Code observations and more about the social dynamics, emotional context, and perceived authority within a professional community.
While the Flag Code is a federal guideline, how it’s interpreted and applied in highly emotional, traditional contexts like line-of-duty death funerals can vary, and sometimes deviations occur out of a desire to show extreme honor or due to lack of specific awareness of all nuances in a chaotic time.
It’s a tough situation, as one points out something factually incorrect, but in a context where emotions overshadow logic for many.
Avoiding the Pitfalls
The “Slippery Slope” Argument: If violations are allowed for one noble cause, where does it end? If the Flag Code isn’t upheld even in solemn moments, what does that say about general respect for the flag? This is the underlying reason for my commitment to pointing out issues.
Professional training. Education is what gives us our foundation for all situations and ceremonies are no different. We train to take emotion out of the equation as best as possible and to rely on that training to help guide us through, in cases like this, navigating a memorial set up, transport of the deceased, contacting the family, the funeral, and all of the inner workings that go along with each of those steps.
The concept you’re describing, “honor by dishonor,” is a really insightful way to capture a complex human dynamic, especially in highly emotional and traditional contexts like a firefighter line-of-duty death. While it’s not a formal logical fallacy or a recognized sociological term, it perfectly encapsulates the phenomenon of well-intentioned actions, driven by intense emotion and a desire to show ultimate respect, inadvertently leading to a violation of established rules or principles that are themselves designed to uphold respect.
Honor by Dishonor
Let’s break down why this happens.
- Overwhelming Grief and Emotion:
- The death of a colleague, especially in the line of duty, is a traumatic event for a fire department. It’s not just a professional loss; it’s a deeply personal one. Firefighters are a tight-knit “family.”
- In the raw immediacy of grief, the primary, overwhelming impulse is to demonstrate the immense love, respect, and sorrow for the fallen individual. Logic, adherence to detailed rules, and even the broader symbolic meaning of objects like the flag can take a backseat to this emotional drive.
- Desire for “More” or “Unique” Honor:
- When they “loved the man dearly,” there’s a natural inclination to believe that standard protocols aren’t “enough” to convey the depth of their feeling. They want to do something extraordinary for an extraordinary person.
- This can lead to creative, but sometimes misguided, expressions of honor. For example, covering a vehicle with a flag, or adding other items to the flag, are attempts to magnify the tribute.
- Focus on the Individual vs. the Symbol:
- For the grieving department, the flag in that moment becomes primarily a backdrop or a prop for honoring their fallen brother or sister. The abstract symbolism of the flag representing the nation, the code, or broader principles of reverence, might fade in prominence compared to its role in the immediate tribute to the individual.
- They see the action as honoring the firefighter through the flag, not realizing that in their attempt to maximize honor for the individual, they are inadvertently diminishing the honor due to the flag itself, as prescribed by its own rules. The flag becomes a representation of that person.
- Lack of Detailed Knowledge or Oversight:
- In the chaos and emotional distress surrounding a line-of-duty death, the focus is on logistics, supporting the family, and planning the memorial. Detailed review of every aspect of Flag Code compliance might not be a top priority, especially if those planning the display aren’t specifically trained in flag etiquette beyond the basics.
- They might operate under a general, but incomplete, understanding of “respect for the flag,” assuming their actions are respectful because their intent is respectful.
- Perceived Immunity or Justification:
- There can be an implicit belief that in such a grave circumstance, the rules are secondary, or that their intent is so pure that any technical violation is excused. “Who could fault us for trying to honor our fallen hero?” is the underlying sentiment.
- This is often compounded by the fact that the U.S. Flag Code does not carry criminal penalties for private citizens; it’s generally considered advisory. While this doesn’t make violations right, it means there’s no legal enforcement to deter them, relying instead on voluntary adherence and education.
In summary, “honor by dishonor” in this context is a tragic irony: The very deep and heartfelt desire to confer the highest possible honor on a cherished individual, combined with intense grief, leads to actions that unintentionally disrespect the very symbol (the flag) that is meant to embody the nation’s respect and shared values. It’s a collision of profound emotion and precise protocol, where emotion often wins, sometimes at the expense of protocol.
Conclusion
We covered the situation from logical, social, emotional, and practical standpoints and, through appropriate training, must be able to remove emotion from situations like this and be able to follow the guidelines set forth in the Flag Code and any other relevant manuals. We do not honor people by dishonoring our flag. That’s completely illogical.
Part 2 is next week.