(Image source from: US sheriff refuses to lower flag for Nelson Mandela})

Patriotism has its extremes, at least in the US. According to reports, following US President Obama's order to lower the American flag in honour of Nelson Mandela, a sheriff refused contending that the flag was to be lowered to half-staff only for Americans.

Rick Clark, the Pickens County sheriff, had refused to fly the national flag at half-staff in his department stating that it was an honour reserved for Americans who had sacrificed their life for their country. He also said that he had no problem with the lowering of the national flag at the United States embassy in South Africa.

Obama had ordered to lower the national flag until sunset on Monday, in tribute to the anti-apartheid hero.

(Picture Source: davidkdonovan.com)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)