<p>The southerners can raise and wave whatever the hell flag they want. I wasn't in DC in 1860, and if I DID live in DC in 1861, I would have let the south go. Turns out about 85% of the nation's GDP comes from the north and California.</p>
<p>I used to live in the north but moved to the south almost 5 years ago. I was astonished by the number of Confederate flags, bumper stickers, and apparel. People here will even wear clothes with Confederate flags on them to school and not get in trouble!</p>
<p>I think anyone who flies the Confederate flag is stupid. Everyone says racism doesn't exist anymore in the south, but that's a lie. It's just as strong as it ever was, except today people keep it secret.</p>
<p>I would love to go to the center of my town, burn a Confederate flag, and see what response I got. I can promise you I wouldn't be alive very long.</p>
<p>So basically, the pro-Confederate-flag Southerners' best argument has to do with celebrating one's heritage (no matter how harmful it was/is to the U.S.) and an ACLU-esque defense. Sounds like a bunch of outsiders who refuse to assimilate to the good old U.S. of A!</p>
<p>Harmful? All we wanted was freedom from Union! Our fathers just wanted to become independent!</p>
<p>PS. I came to US three years ago ^)</p>
<p>Well, there are people who are legitimately proud of a Southern heritage, so to speak. Just as there are people who are proud of the hard-working culture of being a Midwesterner who feeds the nation.</p>
<p>The problem comes from the fact that these people are human shields, of sorts, for the racist, hateful people. The latter group can claim legitimacy by tagging along with the former. They will tell you it's about heritage...because there's some validity to that thinking...but there are many of these people who just use that like they use white sheets...as cover for their cowardice.</p>
<p>For instance, there are quite a few people who are Civil War reenactors. I find it sort of odd, but I haven't met ONE yet who is hateful or resentful of African-Americans. They like to see the Confederate flag fly above various Confederate monuments and memorials to fallen CSA soldiers. They're not about secession today, even if they believe there were some loftier, non-slavery reasons for secession in 1860.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there are many groups that are very active today that claim the South should secede NOW to promote and protect the Anglo-Celtic heritage that should rightfully govern the region.</p>
<p>My "favorite" group among these: <a href="http://www.leagueofthesouth.net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.leagueofthesouth.net/</a></p>
<p>I've heard the argument that people fly the Confederate flag as a sign of heritage, but does any other culture do this? When was the last time you saw Germans flying Nazi flags "as a sign of their heritage"?</p>
<p>Ever see the Texas state flag being flown?</p>
<p>During marches protesting the right to immigrate more freely to the United States, did you ever see people fly the flags of other nations?</p>
<p>I see bumper stickers all the time with flags of different nationalities displayed.</p>
<p>Many African-Americans display an African flag...symbolizing nothing but their continental heritage as there is no nation of Africa.</p>
<p>Yeah, other cultures do this. And the last time I saw it -- and probably the last time you saw it -- was probably yesterday.</p>
<p>But were they cultures who lost a war and felt angry about it?</p>
<p>There's a huge difference between an immigrant flying the flag of an old country and someone flying a Confederate flag.</p>
<p>Immigrants to do it as a remembrance of their life in their old country, not because they want to take over.</p>
<p>Confederates do this out of racism and hate or because they're still sour over their miserable loss that happened a long time ago.</p>
<p>Some do, yeah, but not everyone. You see a flag and you think you see into the hearts and minds of the people who display it. But you can't.</p>
<p>That's part of the problem. There are people who do fly it without malice. You might call them inconsiderate, but no more so than people who petition for citizenship by flying another country's flag. If we could look at every display of a Confederate flag and know that the person was racist, that would be easy. The problem is that the racists try to blend in with people who legitimately stake out a heritage of days gone by -- not slave-owning days, but simpler times when a man could stand tall and insist that his government be OF the people and BY the people and FOR the people, including the people of the South.</p>
<p>The flag has only recently become a symbol of racism...so what seems so clear-cut to you isn't so for many. The flag was on display at all the concerts of the great Southern rock bands from Skynryd to the Allmann Brothers and Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special, etc. and it wasn't a message of racism or hate. It was a message of rebellion against the establishment. Ironically enough, just 20 years ago, it was more widely seen as a symbol against the crusty old farts who fly it today out of the hatred and intolerance you speak of. The same flag was depicted on CBS every Friday night atop the Duke boys' 1969 Dodge Charger (nicknamed the "General Lee") because they would use that vehicle to outrun and outfox the mean old Boss Hoggs of the South who were the nasty sort of people you think are the only ones who fly the flag.</p>
<p>More than a few people in the South think the Confederate flag is a wonderful thing -- especially when it comes in the form of a patch on the backside of a pair of Daisy Duke shorts. There's that whole spirit of rebellion, moonshining and hot babes in hot pants that you're overlooking, too.</p>
<p>It would be nice to compartmentalize all people who fly the flag as racists. But I'm sorry to say that it just can't be done with any sense of honesty or knowledge.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've heard the argument that people fly the Confederate flag as a sign of heritage
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why do they celebrate a treasonous heritage?</p>
<p>Chris - for the same reasons we eat pie and blow stuff up on the 4th of July...both histories involve rebellion, war, and treason. That's why. I'm not saying it's morally right, but I seem to remember a famous orator shouting, "If this be treason, make the most of it." In the minds of both groups of people, their acts of rebellion were justified.</p>
<p>Some people aren't the most rational in choosing objective views of history. I see lots of folks wearing Che Guevara T shirts despite his numerous murders and oppressive policies.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Chris - for the same reasons we eat pie and blow stuff up on the 4th of July...both histories involve rebellion, war, and treason.
[/quote]
Or celebrate Guy Fawkes with fireworks. :p</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why do they celebrate a treasonous heritage?
[/quote]
Because they want to.</p>
<p>Much thanky, Mildred. Perhaps a mint julep?</p>
<p>For Spaaaaaartaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!</p>
<p>And yet, I have no comment.</p>
<p>Go America.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Much thanky, Mildred. Perhaps a mint julep?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why yes, young snoopyiscool, I shall personally fix you up a nice mint julep and we shall sit together on my veranda and speak of the "Confederacy" near 'till the cows come home. Oh mercy me! I might even fix you up a pitcher of mint juleps if I am in mood enough. </p>
<p>Lawdy be, young snoopyiscool, I best be on my way now. I have a "Daughters of the Confederacy" meeting 'round about nine and I am going to be wearing my Rebel flag dress with matching pumps. Mercy, I trust that I shall not be late. My uncle/cousin Cletus is to be driving me to this blessed event in his pickup truck. My uncle/cousin Cletus is soo proud of my attending this blessed event that he painted his pick up truck in a fresh coat of primer just for the occasion.</p>
<p>Now, snoopyiscool, do be a dear and accept an invite to my whites only cotillion. I shall be having my cotillion over on Beale Street and I do so hope that it will be a grand event. My three toed cousin/lover/brother Wilbur and I shall be attending this event whilst wearing the finest of gingham but we are as yet unsure as to what music to play at this blessed event. </p>
<p>best Confederate regards,</p>
<p>Miss Mildred of Memphis</p>
<p>Brilliant, Mildred. But if it's whites only, only half of me can come! Top or bottom or left or right?</p>
<p>I'm also going to go out on a limb and make a bold statement that Confederate flag-flying people are also adamant supporters of the 2nd Amendment. </p>
<p>So...</p>
<p>These are people who celebrate a traitorous government while cherishing, beyond all other rights, the right to bear arms in order to potentially overthrow the federal government of the United States?</p>
<p>WHY HAVEN'T WE DEPORTED THESE PEOPLE YET?</p>