Flying colors important during time of tragedy

I must say that I have found the IU community's reaction to the horribly tragic events of this week disappointing. When I finally managed to pull myself away from CNN and head to class (surprised that classes were even being held), I could not believe that the events were not even mentioned. \nHow is it that thousands of our fellow countrymen and women were murdered in cold blood, four domestic airlines hijacked, the World Trader Center destroyed and the Pentagon attacked -- all in one day -- and all of this somehow escapes mention in a supposedly academic environment? I am ashamed of this University. It failed this week. \nIt failed its students, and it failed the victims of this terrible crime. Further, as I unfurled the Stars and Stripes on the porch of my house Tuesday afternoon, I was confident that scores of my fellow students and members of the IU and Bloomington communities would be doing the same. I am appalled at the lack of flags being displayed. It is a simple statement, but a very strong one.\nDuring the Persian Gulf War, everybody seemed to become patriotic, and it was very reassuring. I cannot understand why this is not happening again. Is it because this is a college campus and we are "too cool" to be patriotic? Do we have so much else going on in our lives; are we too important to show our unity in this dark hour of American history?\nSome good things have come out of this: The nightly vigils show reflection, and that is encouraging. But I urge all in the community to do something that requires little effort but means more that most of us here can really fathom: Fly an American flag. If not now, then when?