Posted on 06/14/2006 5:58:12 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
Confederate flags flown aboard the international space station — and seemingly signed by a NASA astronaut — showed up last week on the online auction site eBay.
The original eBay listing indicated that the 4-by-6-inch flags were brought aboard the space station by Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov in 2004, and an accompanying photo showed a sample flag that seemed to bear Sharipov’s signature as well as that of Leroy Chiao, his NASA colleague on the station. Yet another photo showed several of the rebel flags floating in a space station module.
The item was pulled from the auction on Monday by the seller, Alex Panchenko of USSR-Russian Air-Space Collectibles Inc. in Los Angeles — and on Tuesday, Panchenko told MSNBC.com that he removed the items from sale because he had concluded the flag and the authentication documents were forgeries.
However, Robert Pearlman, editor and founder of CollectSpace, said he believes the flags are authentic.
“The picture taken of the flags aboard the station says a lot,” he said. “It would be difficult to fake, given the style and I couldn't see the motivation to do so.” The “onboard-the-ISS” stamp, added Pearlman, is not known to have been counterfeited anywhere."
The disappearance of the flags followed a round of criticism over the weekend from former space scientist Keith Cowing, publisher of NASA Watch, an independent Web log. He cited the Confederate flags as an example of “bad judgment on the ISS.”
“You'd think that someone on the U.S. side of the ISS program would have expressed some concern about flying a symbol on the ISS that many Americans associate with slavery,” Cowing wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Sure, they were always getting a taste, but they weren't getting their fair share of the pie, based on the size of their population and the importance of their votes to the machine. I was there in the Harold Washington days and the Council Wars, which was great political theatre. The televised council meeting when they had to choose a temporary mayor after Washington died was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Power was held by a clique of white aldermen--Eddie Vrdolyak, Ed Burke, Roman Pucinski and a few others. After Washington, they were never able to control things as effectively. Then Daley came into office and made a concerted effort to make sure everyone was getting their piece of the action, which is why he's still mayor almost two decades later.
propagandists i can "deal with" & even admire, for their skill. HATERS & ignorant, hate-FILLED bigots, otoh, make me GAG.
free dixie,sw
Wrong. The line originates from Voltaire.
Wow. "Old coot" gets you all in a lather, but Watie's foaming at the mouth is just fine?
it seems your mind is "closed for the season". PITY.
free dixie,sw
"fwiw, i do NOT count you as a prejudiced idiot, but rather a skilled PROPAGANDIST for the unionist cause"
I hate to break the news to you, but in the year 2006 there is no "unionist cause" anymore.....nor is there a "southern cause" either.
Turn up the AC in the trailer ok? I realize it's mighty hot today.
free dixie,sw
LOL. Well: on this thread and in THIS particular issue between the two of you, I am definitely neutral. I will feed both of you and give you shelter...just not at the same time.
Perhaps that makes me spotted. Or striped. Mostly, noncommittal I believe.
Have a wonderful weekend...both of you.
"just not at the same time" = SMART LADY!
fwiw, the war between the blue & gray goes on absent gunfire.
we "good 'ole rebs" are PLEASED you're here. stick around!
free dixie,sw
Okay, fine. No, writers do not have less of a burden. They have a burden that is 300, 000, 000, 000 times more obligatory than others. Many writers have become quite derelict of duty in this regard, but that is their problem. And if they don't fix their problem, they is gonna be seein' the likes of hell when they pass on...
And, you are wrong concerning my reasoning for refusing to answer any question. I WILL not be under someone else's thumb for the sake of truth or Whatever else one cares to add to that scenario. I am a mature adult, and I 100% expect those who even are entertaining the thought of speaking to me to treat me as such. And if one chooses not to do so, then they can just go find some little derelict that puts up with that baloney-because I WILL NOT.
fwiw, it's gotten to the point that i believe that most of the DAMNyankees here not only do not know the truth but are afraid to find out the truth, so they simply flail around, make hate-FILLED, off-point comments & call the people they disagree with, liars.
fwiw, i now spend about 30-50% of my time laughing AT them, ridiculing their prejudices, their falsehoods & evasions (that wouldn't fool a smart 6YO) and generally "making sport of them" (fwiw, i have one of them "in my sights", who is going to be REALLY embarrassed when i post the TRUTH about something he KNOWINGLY lied about to another FReeper. i just have to have the time "off from work" to head over to the law school, library to find the 2 books.)
free dixie,sw
Some are truly rotten, but I believe the fear factor is mainly responsible many for not wanting to know the truth. I say this because that was my reasoning for not reading, "The South Was Right" back when I did the research for my book. I deliberately refused to read anything that could put a spin on my perceptions because that is what is to be avoided by writers. If I had read this book, I would have just been so darn mad, I wouldn't have been able to see straight. Plus, I found that when it becomes too difficult or distracting to find information, that means it isn't important at the time, but may have importance later when all the waters have calmed down...
And the rebel yell, brings a smile...
He said:
History is FICTION, popularly agreed upon by tyrants & conquerers.
Since I am of Scotch-Irish descent, I prefer to give Braveheart credit for this truth.
Since the Politically Correct demise of The Confederate Air Force a few years ago, I feel there has been a vacuum in mankind's endeavors to reach upward and outward.
Now that The Confederate Space Station is in orbit very soon we will hear The Rebel Yell coming from outer space.
That each of us , depending on our ancestry ,heritage and roots , have this same deep felt love and honor for the flags of our respective ancestors . This is a very good thing.
They should not be forgotten and they should be held in the deepest respect .
Have a good day sir !
"Now that The Confederate Space Station is in orbit very soon we will hear The Rebel Yell coming from outer space."
Interesting concept. What, may I ask, does this mean?
Confederate flags on space station draw ire
Madam, I am more than willing to call a truce and debate any particular point from "The South Was Right" that you care to put forth. Rather than have you believe that the Kennedy Brothers have the only point of view.
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