Nelson Mandela Was A Great Man, But....

But President Obama should not have ordered the U.S. flags to be flown at half staff.
Nelson Mandela was a great man who overcame huge obstacles to help free the Blacks of South Africa from apartheid. 
While fighting a good cause in South Africa, his influence on American life was negligible.
Flying a flag at half mast should be for presidents, vice presidents, Supreme Court Justices and for major emergencies, like 9-11. (Flying a flag at half staff for Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner would seem to be a horrible, horrible idea)
I also understand that flags were flown at half staff for Pope John Paul 2 and I think that was wrong.  The only other person was Winston Churchill who deserved the honor more than Mandela, but still wrong.
I believe that flying a flag at half staff should be for Americans and Americans only.
There have been many foreigners who have helped the United States who deserve a flag flown at half staff when they died.  The last person was Margaret Thatcher of England, but Obama said no.  When the Queen of England dies, she may be another one.
And did South Africa lower their flag when Ronald Reagan died or any other U.S. president?
So, while Nelson Mandela was a great man, especially for South Africa and Africa, his influence in the United States was minimal, other that being inspirational, the United States flag should not be flown at half staff.