That was quite an article with so much information. Did you know a "redneck" reffers to a man who works the fields growing the food you eat? Or that the primary reason for our civil war centered on a states right to secede the union. Resistance to integration happened in every region of the country not just the south or mid-west. Is the confederate flag the only symbol of slavery? I mean slavery existed before that flag was flown wasn't it? What flag did fly during that time? To me it's obvious that during your rant you became far more damaging to the public than anything Hucabee said. Were you trying to make a point? Or just exercising your right to speak your mind absent of any personal responsibility? The confederate flag (to me) is a symbol of a time when we tested our freedom to the limit but, remained strong and intact. Study our history without your obvious prejudice and I promise you'll be the better for it.

Hitchens acknowledges there might be a good reason to fly a Confederate flag in historical context, e.g., over Confederate war dead. But face it, when S.C. suddenly started flying the battle flag over its capital for the first time in 1962, at the height of the struggle for civil rights, it sent a message that dishonored all the more positive aspects of the Confederacy you speak of. Hitchens isn't the one who reduced that flag to a racist symbol; racists did that.

Well, unfortunately, for most people the confederate flag represents slavery, plain and simple. And flying that damn thing means just about one thing only: We hate blacks, northerners, jews, gays, or just about anybody else who isn't a good ole boy.

You're talkin' jive, boy.... YOU might think the confederate flag represents some noble ideal but to most people it represents racism.

Funny how Huckabee is all for the federal government getting involved in issues concerning abortion or gay rights but if the federal government wants to come into our state and take away our flag...Hoo-boy, they better not even thank bout' comin round here now!

And that is exactly why I asked the question [what flag was flying before the confederate flag?].

ric1213:

Or that the primary reason for our civil war centered on a states right to secede the union.... Is the confederate flag the only symbol of slavery?

Sorry, the states' rights thing has been done to death, and found wanting. It's like saying that Larry Flynt is just defending the right of free speech. The southern states themselves weren't nearly so coy and legalistic about it: just read South Carolina's resolution/justification for secession. It's explicitly about slavery. To claim there was any other reason for secession is ignorant or dishonest or both.

The confederate flag may not be the ONLY symbol of slavery, but it's by far the most potent and recognizable, which is why racists continue to trot it out.

Ok then.... Slavery was in existence long before the confederate flag flew. It was our american flag representing us all then. It was the american flag that flew when the last natives of this country had thier lands forcibly taken and thier heritage destroyed. The same held true when we enslaved the chinese to build our rail system. We imprisoned japanese because of thier skin color under ole glory. Even the kkk flew an american flag when they spewed thier hatred all over our country. And when a Mexican comes to our country illegally and we do nothing to stop him and force him to do it legally aren't we all guilty of modern slavery under the american flag? Without the rights and protections we enjoy, unable to earn wages above poverty level and without representation. Isn't this the basic elements of slavery? The point I'm trying to make is IF you intended on making the rules on what is too offensive then apply those same rules fairly.

To seceed the union was driven by pure economics. The northern states wanted to impose higher tariffs on imports that affected manufactured goods made and sold there. The south wanted free trade for thier booming agriculture exports. And yes it was just that simple. The issue of slavery [then] was also a matter of economics. And if you reread that resolution keeping in mind that slavery was considered in the period to be very common and acceptable. You too will understand it was economics alone. As far as the confederate flag "who the hell" is trotting it out? Is there a revival of the confederate flag coallition being formed somewhere? No it seems to be more like we are all being human. You can hate this thing (confederate flag) without consequence because it isn't a person and then feel good about it afterward. It only represents what YOU think it does. And as long as you whine about it, it wont go away. Not ignorant

Again, these fatuous and ahistorical arguments that the Confederate battle flag is not an offensive symbol of racism would mean a lot more coming from someone who demonstrated as much by wrapping themselves in it and strolling around say, Watts.

Oh but yes the confederate flag is indeed a symbol of racist prejudice. And you see THAT is the point. Its not the gun but the guy holding it...its not the flag but those who would use it for the wrong reason. And even if every confederate flag was burnt and laws enacted to prevent another made would you be satisfied? Would that right a wrong? How many things do 12% of americans find offensive? Could we possibly keep up? Go figure

Did you know a "redneck" reffers to a man who works the fields growing the food you eat?

No. That's "wetback" these days.

Simply put: the south lost. Losers are traitors. The southern cross is a traitors flag. Had the south won it would be different. So of course they have to "rise again". The flag is a symbol of treason and racism. Best only left in re-enactments for historical reasons.

ric1213:

Oh but yes the confederate flag is indeed a symbol of racist prejudice. And you see THAT is the point. Its not the gun but the guy holding it...its not the flag but those who would use it for the wrong reason.

So, what exactly is the RIGHT reason for "using" the Confederate flag?

o_hellenbach: Perfect question.

As a decal adorning the top of an orange 1969 Dodger Charger flying through a barn at 108 mph.

LOL! Booyaaaah

o_hellenbach:

ric1213:

Oh but yes the confederate flag is indeed a symbol of racist prejudice. And you see THAT is the point. Its not the gun but the guy holding it...its not the flag but those who would use it for the wrong reason.

So, what exactly is the RIGHT reason for "using" the Confederate flag?

I don't know if there is a right reason for using the confederate flag but i know the right thing to do with .....WIPING YOU ASS!!!!