Reply #76: He made his position an extension of his own ego.

[Igel]

What he was told to do wasn't intended to reflect his personal opinion. It was the official position. He confused his own wishes and ego with that of the state apparatus he was part of, and a symbol with substance--lowering the flag with his own showing respect.

As such, he had no choice: Since he wasn't his position, but merely filling it, it makes sense that he couldn't separate the idea of respecting a position from the person filling it. He's consistent in his ability to separate out the position from the piece of meat appointed to the position.

I've known too many people in government and academia that confuse their discipline or their position with themselves, and count the state or field lucky that such a brilliant and moral person was destined to honor them. (Fortunately, most of the academics I know like that were forced to retire when, like this schmuck, they were unable to distinguish what was ritual and proper, by the book, with their personal distaste at allowing a difference of opinion to exist their personal blessing.)