OK, I don't have a lot of strong feelings about the Battle flag of the Confederacy. And I don't really believe that Georgia's "historical importance" argument is that genuine, since it was added to the state flag in 1956, not 1865, etc. However, the debate in the Georgia legislature is sort of interesting, and the legal maneuvering is pretty intense. The passage that caught my attention, however, was this one:
But white Democrats in urban areas, as well as all black Democrats, generally oppose the idea of a referendum. They fear that if the decision is left up to the public, the Confederate battle flag (search) � sometimes called the "Southern Cross" � will once again be on Georgia's flag, as it was from 1956 until 2001.
You have to remember that the Civil War, and the aftermath of reconstruction, left some very deep scars on the Southern states. If a majority of the people want the Confederate flag as a part of the state flag in Georgia, then shouldn't it be there? Or, is it like the swastika, a symbol that just can't be tolerated, no matter what? And remember, the swastika was around as a mystical symbol centuries before Hitler perverted it to his needs. But what would the world say if a majority of Germans voted to have the swastika become a part of their national flag?
Posted by Neal Mauldin at April 25, 2003 10:45 AM | TrackBackWell considered Neal. I'll say this up front, I leave the decision up to you in the south. I had six great uncles in the Army of the Potamac. Only one was killed. For years I took exception to the Confederate Battle Flag as an affront to the reunification of the US. I confess that I still find it a little disconcerting.
I served with many fine people from the south, of every race. I know it's not so simple now. My love for the history of the Civil War has also added some prospective. Feelings are being rubbed raw and I don't want to add to it.
We are all Americans here, we'll find a way. The victory on a point such as this shouldn't be a bitter one. We still have to live beside each other afterwards.
Posted by: puggs on April 25, 2003 01:21 PMYou raise and excellent point. The issue is not really one that affects me deeply either - I have ancestors who fought on both sides of the Civil War, and was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. However, your argument has one minor flaw. The display of the swastika is not permitted in Germany, as their government does not guarantee the right of free expression, and it is one of the symbols banned as "excessively offensive" or something along those lines. I believe that advocating for such a flag would be considered a federal crime in Germany, although I could be incorrect.
Posted by: Erik on April 25, 2003 05:16 PMIt never fails to amaze me how many people only believe in democracy when they get their own way.
Judicious Asininity
I'd be tickled if the NAACP adopted the 'southern cross' as it's symbol. Look at all the mileage that the christian church has gotten from another 'symbol of oppression', the cross.
Posted by: John S Allison on April 28, 2003 04:10 PM