Clark Blasts Confederate Flag, But Not in Home State

NewsMax ^ | 1/17/04 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark blasted South Carolina officials on Friday for flying the Confederate flag on Statehouse grounds, even though his home state of Arkansas still celebrates "Confederate Flag Day" - and his most prominent political patron, Bill Clinton, signed into law a measure honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee in 1985.

"I don't believe we ought to be honoring flags that divide us," Clark told reporters during a conference call, adding, "We need to be honoring flags that unite us."

"I don't believe we ought to be . . . keeping that flag on state grounds or federal grounds," Clark complained.

But the former NATO Commander said nothing about the celebration of the Confederate flag in his own backyard - Arkansas, where Clark grew up and still lives.

As noted two years ago by Landmark Legal Foundation President Mark Levin, "In April 1985, Governor Bill Clinton signed Act 985 into law, making the birthdates of Martin Luther King Jr. (the preeminent leader of the civil-rights movement) and Robert E. Lee (the general who led the Confederate army) state holidays on the same day."

Writing in National Review Online, Levin described Arkansas Code Section 1-5-107, which stipulates: "The Saturday immediately preceding Easter Sunday of each year is designated as 'Confederate Flag Day' in this state."

The law continues: "No person, firm, or corporation shall display a Confederate flag or replica thereof in connection with any advertisement of any commercial enterprise, or in any manner for any purpose except to honor the Confederate States of America."

In 1987, Clark's political patron signed a bill that designates a star in the Arkansas flag as symbolic of the Confederacy and issued a proclamation designating a birthday memorial for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, according to the Washington Times.

Still, though Clark has touted his opposition to South Carolina's Confederate flag for months, he has failed to oppose, in any public way, tributes to the flag in his home state, let alone criticize Mr. Clinton for using Arkansas State law to celebrate what many of Clark's supporters regard as a symbol of slavery.

[UNGN]

Clark is imploding. He HAD a chance in SC. Now he doesn't have a prayer.

[mystery-ak]

shhhhhh...don't tell Arkansas.

[farmfriend]

He needs to try getting the board out of his own eye before he starts working on others splinters.

[Arkinsaw]

Clark is imploding. He HAD a chance in SC. Now he doesn't have a prayer.

He is going for the black vote. But does anybody in South Carolina want this issue brought back up again besides the NAACP? Do black business owners really want it to heat back up? I have my doubts. We will see if he can demagogue this issue and get a significant black turnout.

[Paul Atreides]

He needs to try getting the board out of his own eye before he starts working on others splinters.

Then, he wouldn't be Clintonesque.

[OneTimeLurker]

"Clark is imploding."

Where's your evidence of this. He looks strong in all Feb. 3 states. IMO, he's going to be the Dem. nominee (or Dean).

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Since when has the left/media ever cared about what those on their side said? Save Hillary's remark or you'll forget.

[OldEagle]

"I don't believe we ought to be honoring flags that divide us," Clark told reporters during a conference call, adding, "We need to be honoring flags that unite us."

The flag divides us?

[UNGN]

His stupid statements on the flag may get him a few black votes, but it sticks a stake in the heart of his core: Blue collar veterans.

If the media jumps on this like they jumped on David Beasley when he wanted to move the flag off the capital and to the current confederate memorial, He is toast.

[UNGN]

Where's your evidence of this. He looks strong in all Feb. 3 states. IMO, he's going to be the Dem. nominee (or Dean).

I forgot, being a pathelogical liar is Virtue in the Democrat party.

He CAN NOT stand by his comments to move the flag from the statehouse grounds AND still win SC. Don't believe me, call any white person you know in SC and ask them. The ONLY reason SC still has a Democrat senator is because HE's the guy that put the Rebel Flag on the capital.

Look for a MAJOR backtrack, "I never said that" or "that's not what I meant".

[OneTimeLurker]

If you are referring to the Primary, 40% of the voters are black. If you are referring to the GE, point is well taken.

[Malesherbes]

The NAACP boycott of South Carolina over the Confederate flag issue is an excellent policy:

(1) It keeps riffraff and other undesirables out of the state.

(2) It's a good litmus test to identify hypocritical politicians like Clark, and

(3) It reminds people in the state that there was a time when their ancestors fought and died for the consitutional right to secede.

[BILL_C]

Don't believe me, call any white person you know in SC and ask them. The ONLY reason SC still has a Democrat senator is because HE's the guy that put the Rebel Flag on the capital.


I was wondering why anybody in SC voted for Hollings. I know I've always voted against him. But then, I wasn't a resident of SC when Hollings was governor.

[UNGN]

I always voted against that A-Hole, too.

I met him at a couple functions and he came off as an confused idiot. His speeches were always "If it wasn't for ME and the money I gave you, you'd all be broke, outawork bumpkins".

I spoke with Strom the same year and Strom was way more coherent, actually listening and responding to my questions.

[4integrity]

Re Clark on the Confederate flag....look for a major backtrack....I never said that....

....or maybe he'll say it's the rumor going around..

[American Infidel]

Unfortunately, just like the hillary comment, this story will not gain any traction within the realm of the lefty dominated media world. The clintons and anyone they have aligned themselves with have been annointed by the media as the saviors of the democrat party and left wing in the U.S. so nothing will be printed in the NY times or shown on 60 minutes, etc. concerning this story. It would go against the image that has been created for the clintons and their allies by the media. Clark will get a pass on this, guaranteed.

[SC Swamp Fox]

SC Ping List

FReepmail me if you want on or off this list.

[stand watie]

ANYBODY of ANY PARTY, who is hateful about our sacred battleflag canNOT/willNOT win!

whether running in a southern state and/or for the POTUS. (NO combination of states will win you the position of POTUS w/o dixie!)

free dixie,sw

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Clark is dangerous because he is a u.n.and euro-sympathizer.