Does the Confederate Flag offend you?

SodaHead.com ^

[poetbdk]

Does the Confederate Flag offend you? http://www.sodahead.com/question/537677/does-the-confederate-flag-offend-you/ I came across this question asked at SodaHead.com that has produced a lively discussion with over 2500 comments. I thought I would post it here at Free Republic and see if it gets a similiar response.

[nanetteclaret]

The flag with the X was the Battle Flag, not the Stars and Bars.

[TomOnTheRun]

Soooooo, you were just idly wondering what FReepers thought? It was an already resolved issue for you, but you wanted feedback...to what purpose?

Nope - I asked the question because it struck me as the more important question. Or even the question that the OP should have asked.

For individuals to fly the battle standard of conquored states after conquest ... well ... it's almost entirely unheard of in history. I think people have lost that in all the other controversy surrounding the flag. I hope that I can remind them of that by asking the question. That way, when they do fly the flag, they will hopefully remember some of the history and how provocative it can be. I also hope that means they won't fly it in a rash or silly way that tarnishes a movement wider than themselves.

[Crusher138]

The Confederacy is a great example of a high idea (States Rights) being tied to a heinous reality (Slavery).

The South was getting hosed by the North, economically. The expansion of slavery was an inevitable outcome of the economic pressures put on the Southern farmers. In a sense, the North's greed and desire for cheap raw goods made the need for slavery inevitable.

This situation led to the North (which controlled the Federal government) imposing their moral standard on the South while simultaneously economically requiring the South to perpetuate the same evil institution.

If we are not careful, Conservatives of today could find themselves in a similar position. We can cry that we have a constitutional right to bear arms (the high idea) but the left could force us into a position of using them against agents of the government, whereupon we become evil incarnate.

[TomOnTheRun]

...during those 10 years that I spent as a monk... Jerry Brown... is that you?

Ahahahaha. No. *grin* Different orders - I was a Benedistice (Work & Pray!) .. I can't remember exactly but I think he was a Jesuit wasn't he? Besides - he'd probably think I was a little uptight. I'm not sure we would get along.

[CaliforniaCon]

No, not at all!

[TomOnTheRun]

Sorry. I think you would say Benedictine here.

[jessduntno]

“That way, when they do fly the flag, they will hopefully remember some of the history and how provocative it can be. I also hope that means they won’t fly it in a rash or silly way that tarnishes a movement wider than themselves.”

Ohhh...it was a teachable moment...golly, thanks for sharing...but really, aren’t all movements wider than ourselves? I don’t think we need a moral compass for that do we? I don’t like you or your pseudo intellectual crap very much...and I know a guy looking to stir up trouble when I see one...and you are one of those guys...

[nanetteclaret]

My g-g-grandfather was Colorbearer for Co. E, 33rd Miss. Reg. Featherstone’s Brigade at the Battle of Franklin. After he was killed, my g-g-grandmother came to Texas.

[TomOnTheRun]

The Confederacy is a great example of a high idea (States Rights) being tied to a heinous reality (Slavery).

You are very correct. I think people that have tried to make the confederate flag into a symbol of state right's alone underestimate how closely tied those issues were. Jim Crow laws perpetuated that tie and, I think, hilighted it. After all, it was states passing Jim Crow laws - not the Feds.

If we are not careful, Conservatives of today could find themselves in a similar position. We can cry that we have a constitutional right to bear arms (the high idea) but the left could force us into a position of using them against agents of the government, whereupon we become evil incarnate.

A very astute warning. People should prick up their ears.

[TomOnTheRun]

I don’t like you or your pseudo intellectual crap very much...and I know a guy looking to stir up trouble when I see one...and you are one of those guys...

Sorry to hear that. I'll try not to address your comments directly in the future. In the mean time... there are others here that don't feel that way. Pardon me.

[ml/nj]

No. It never did. I never really thought much about it. But now that I know it pi$$eS the whiny left off, I think I'm growing rather fond of it.

ML/NJ

[meyer]

Anything that makes the left mad makes me happy. Bring me the “stars and bars”.

[carton253]

I think you better go back and relearn your history. You don’t have a very good handle on it.

[Non-Sequitur]

Not in the least.

[TomOnTheRun]

I think you better go back and relearn your history. You don’t have a very good handle on it.

Which parts? The only things I've mentioned here are verifiable ... who flys what flag when etc. etc. ... or motivations. Motivations are always a point of debate in history.

[nanetteclaret]

Southerners do not think the War is over. Suspended temporarily, perhaps. We will always resist other people trying to tell us what to do and how to live - as the “northern elites” are doing right now trying to shove Obamacare down our throats. The Battle Flag, or any other Confederate Flag (I fly the Bonnie Blue, but I’d fly the Zavala if I had it) is a symbol of the fight for freedom and for States Rights against the tyranny of the FedGov. We do know what we are doing, in spite of others trying to tell us what to do “for our own good.”

[trisham]

Does the Confederate Flag offend you?

*****************

No. Free speech, baby.

[nanetteclaret]

There is no such thing as “Benedistice.” Perhaps you mean “Benedictine” as in the order founded by St. Benedict? It is rather odd that you don’t know how to spell your own order.

[carton253]

You are painting all Southern combatants with the same brush. Shows a lack of understanding on your part.

[TomOnTheRun]

Southerners do not think the War is over. Suspended temporarily, perhaps. We will always resist other people trying to tell us what to do and how to live - as the “northern elites” are doing right now trying to shove Obamacare down our throats. The Battle Flag, or any other Confederate Flag (I fly the Bonnie Blue, but I’d fly the Zavala if I had it) is a symbol of the fight for freedom and for States Rights against the tyranny of the FedGov. We do know what we are doing, in spite of others trying to tell us what to do “for our own good.

Mmm-hmmm. I understand what you say. But as much as it is a symbol of the rights of states to you & me ... to most people it's just a symbol of human slavery and degradation. That is a huge canyon to get across. You'll have a strong fight on your hands in most areas before you can convince people that that flag is about liberty when they have spent their entire life thinking it is about slavery.