While I agree the timing was rather distasteful, I'll play devil's advocate.

The Explainer is Slate's general interest articles that attempt to answer questions, either asked or inferred, that are researched and politically sterile. Let me emphasize, there was no politics involved. The article simply details the law and etiquette involved with flying flags at half-mast while briefly mentioning the current event that brought about this question. No judgements or inference were apparent.

Still distasteful. Did I just explain the explainer? So meta...

Tangentially, Slate's Political Gabfest podcast is one of the most erudite and non-partisan political debate shows around.