Voters salute current flag (Georgia-GOP Purdue wins, Dem Barnes loses)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 3/3/04 | Ben Smith

[Diddle E. Squat]

Black and white voters across Georgia finally have a flag they can agree on.

The state's current banner, modeled after the first national flag of the Confederacy, won by a nearly 4-1 ratio Tuesday over its sole rival, a blue-and-gold banner that flew briefly over Georgia from 2001 until last year.

"I had heard," said Christy Myrick, 35, of Atlanta, "that if [the current] flag is chosen there won't be any more discussion and it will be over, finally."

That's the pitch top Georgia politicians and business leaders had made to voters in advertising and campaign calls in the days leading up to the balloting.

The argument over Georgia's state flag is at least two decades old. It started when African-American legislators first sought to strip the Confederate battle emblem from the banner. That emblem, the Rebel "X," dominated the state flag that flew from 1956 to 2001. Beloved by Confederate history enthusiasts as a heritage symbol, but reviled by blacks as racist, the 1956 flag was the reason the referendum was called in the first place.

Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue was elected in part on a promise he made to rural white voters that he would give them a chance to bring back the banner. His predecessor, Democrat Roy Barnes, who was upset by Perdue in 2002, forced the 1956 banner off Georgia flagpoles by ramming its blue-and-gold replacement through the Legislature in 2001.

In last year's General Assembly session, lawmakers then removed the 1956 flag as an option from Perdue's referendum bill and hoisted a brand-new one.

Some voters said they were deprived of a real choice.

"I think we should have been given a choice before Barnes ever changed it," said Don Rawls, 26, a Fayette County voter wearing a T-shirt that read: "Dixie — ole times are not forgotten."

Tuesday night, Perdue praised the referendum's results but placed responsibility for excluding the 1956 flag from the vote on the General Assembly.

"While I recommended that an additional choice be available to the people, the Legislature came to a different conclusion, and I respected their decision," said Perdue. "I believe the people chose a beautiful banner, which reflects our history and heritage."

Some voters used the flag referendum as an opportunity to take a swipe at Perdue for his handling of the issue. Others voted to honor Barnes, who got rid of the 1956 flag but lost the governor's office.

"Why? 'Cause I think a lot of him," said Ralph Bicknell, a 78-year-old Republican from Woodstock who voted for the Barnes flag out of respect for the former governor.

The Barnes flag included a ribbon of five postcard-sized mini-flags, including the 1956 Georgia flag.

"It's a good compromise," said Barnes, who voted for the flag he championed. "It shows all of Georgia's history."

All that separates Georgia's current flag from the first national flag of the Confederacy is the inclusion of the state coat of arms and the words "In God We Trust" inside its ring of stars. African-American politicians, however, said it is a far more acceptable symbol than the battle flag, which was appropriated by Ku Klux Klansmen after the Civil War.

But some voters said they made their choice purely on looks.

Jim Goodman of Woodstock said: "It looks better up a flagpole."

Staff writers Jill Young Miller, Laura Diamond, Doug Payne and Clint Williams contributed to this article.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Current flag affirmed by voters yesterday:

Short-lived Roy Barnes flag voted down yesterday:

Flag adopted in 1956 by the GA legislature:

Pre-1956 flag it replaced:

[Diddle E. Squat]

More info from the earlier debate:

[jocon307]

Thank you VERY MUCH for posting the pix, truly a case of one being worth 1000 words. I think the voter of Georgia chose well, the one the picked seemed the nicest of them all to this Yankee.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Georgia flag briefly flown on live TV when the troops captured Saddam's Bagdad palace:

[No Truce With Kings]

What was the 1955 Georgia state flag and what was wrong with it?

For that matter what was the Georgia state flag in 1855?

[Gottwnz]

So whats wrong with the pre 56 flag ? looks better than the U.N blue P.O.S that we have in Oklahoma.

[goldstategop]

The problem in the eyes of Black voters the 1956 Flag was hoisted to symbolize the South's defiance of civil rights and freedom. Usage of the Stars And Bars by racist groups didn't help matters. I think the new flag recalls Georgia's earlier flags and is based on a strong sense of Southern history. People didn't get everything they wanted but its a good choice and now its time for Georgia to leave the past where it should be and look to the future.

[billbears]

Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue was elected in part on a promise he made to rural white voters that he would give them a chance to bring back the banner

Imagine that. Sonny lied. Well it's better than nothing but the governor still didn't allow the vote as he said he would

[Robe]

Usage of the Stars And Bars by racist groups didn't help matters

This IS NOT the stars and Bars it's the BALLTE FLAG

This IS the STARS and BARS

[Puppage]

"I had heard," said Christy Myrick, 35, of Atlanta, "that if [the current] flag is chosen there won't be any more discussion and it will be over, finally."

The NAACP said the SAME thing in Mississippi...let the people vote, they said. They did, and chose to KEEP the Confederate flag.

Now, the NAACP is trying something else to get it removed...so much for the People having spoken.

[No Truce With Kings]

"The problem in the eyes of Black voters the 1956 Flag was hoisted to symbolize the South's defiance of civil rights and freedom."

I *know* that. My question was what was wrong with the 1955 flag? You know, the one that *preceded* the 1956 flag.

[Paul C. Jesup]

I wonder how long until that NAACP realizes that the current Georgia State flag is an up-dated version of the Georgia Confederate State Flag (not to be confused with the Confederate Battle Flag).

[Pan_Yans Wife]

OOOPS ping.

[Diddle E. Squat]

No he didn't lie. The legislature stiffed him by not allowing the 1956 flag in the vote.

[billbears]

Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue was elected in part on a promise he made to rural white voters that he would give them a chance to bring back the banner

Alright, he made a promise he didn't have the power to keep. Not a lie, but not smart either

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

It amazes me that the VA and TN battle flag, which I was taught represented the dead Confederates who tried to protect the southland was raciest. But somehow the Stars and Bars which I was taught represented every thing bad about the confederacy is OK. The main reason most people don't know it is that it was illegal to fly in the south for a very long time.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Usage of the Stars And Bars by racist groups didn't help matters.

I don't recall anybody flying the stars and bars? Maybe you mean the stars and cross?

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

I *know* that. My question was what was wrong with the 1955 flag? You know, the one that *preceded* the 1956 flag.

The pre 56 flag was a stars and bars flag without the stars. It would have been better than the one chosen, but not by much.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

I wonder how long until that NAACP realizes that the current Georgia State flag is an up-dated version of the Georgia Confederate State Flag (not to be confused with the Confederate Battle Flag).

Raciest GA congressmen are snikering about this. The new flag is also an updated version of the only official flag of the Confederate States of America.

[4CJ]

Imagine that. Sonny lied. Well it's better than nothing but the governor still didn't allow the vote as he said he would

Our NEW motto - 'One flag down, and one to GO!"