Posted on 03/01/2005 12:44:39 PM PST by stainlessbanner
ALLOUEZ, Wis. - Norm Watermolen has no plans to take down the Confederate flag he flies outside his shopping center, despite angry phone calls, letters and two thefts of flags.
The American history enthusiast said the replica flag, which flies alongside 17 historically significant flags, is an important part of the country's history, regardless of its association with the Ku Klux Klan and the effort to deny civil rights to blacks.
"I just don't see what all the trouble is," said Watermolen, 78. "Just because somebody decided years ago that it represented the Ku Klux Klan, and to some people in the South and here, it still does. But it's a significant part of our history, one that should be remembered."
Rita Drewieske, of Allouez, disagrees.
"I just find it so offensive," said Drewieske, whose daughter is black. "The flag keeps being taken, so I must not be the only one offended by it."
Watermolen created a flag plaza to display his collection of 18 historically significant flags at his Heritage Village Shoppes, an historically themed retail center. Twenty others at the center represent nations whose people immigrated to Brown County in the early 20th century.
After the second theft, he had the flag reinstalled with a hydraulic lift and padlocked, so it can't be taken unless someone shimmies up the pole and snatches it.
Ken Calewarts, who talked to Watermolen and wrote him a letter, said he had to complain about the flag to show his three children to speak up about things that are important to them.
Watermolen "legally has the right to fly the flag on his own property, and I agree with that. I don't think he's promoting (racism), but I think he's misguided. If he wants to make a statement of American history, I would respect him more if he flew it in front of his own home rather than in my neighborhood," said Calewarts, who is the Allouez village attorney, but spoke as a private citizen.
David Voelker, associate professor of humanistic studies and history at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, said when it was created, the Confederate flag was a symbol for a new nation the Southern states created when they seceded from the United States.
"They were certainly seceding in order to protect what they saw as states' rights, so there's no question there was that political principle at stake," Voelker said. "People have used the Confederate flag as a symbol of both slavery and racism. But historically people have used it as a symbol of states' rights - a symbol of pride in the independence of particular states. A freedom from oppression by a strong central government."
But Voelker said their number one concern was still slavery.
"They wanted to protect the institution of slavery, and they felt that the election of (President) Lincoln was a potential threat to the future of slavery," he said.
Peter Kellogg, chairman of the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the version of the Confederate flag typically flown now was not widely used until the 1950s and 1960s, when opposition to school desegregation peaked.
"Therefore its modern use is definitely a symbol of a fight against equal rights for black people. So it is fair to say it is a symbol of racism," Kellogg said.
But Audrey Thiry, who plans to move her salon and a gift shop into Heritage Village at the end of April, said she and her customers aren't concerned about the flag flap.
"Norm (Watermolen) is absolutely not a racist. He is a historian; he is fond of our history," she said. "My clients are thrilled that we are moving into 'the nice mall, the one with the flags.'"
Please forgive me, but the War for Southern Independence wasn't a "rebellion"...the Southern states had just as much of a God-given right to secede & form their own government in 1861 that our Founding Fathers did in 1776. The truths that were laid out so eloquently by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence are ETERNAL, & they still hold true today (as a matter of fact, I'd love for the "blue states" to secede...that would make life that much easier for those of us who live in the "red states"!).
: ^ )
IIRC, it is on National Park grounds, so it belongs to all Americans equally. Neo-Confederates don't get a veto just because they don't like it.
Maybe I'll go down there this weekend and celebrate the Great Emancipator.
I am from Maine and I agree with you.
Lee lost and was gallant person and a gentleman.
Lincoln won and he was an emancipater and a martyr.
Yes. Just because he has a right to fly his flag doesn't mean I don't get to be offended by it. I have the right to say I'm offended, and you have the right to take offense at my statement. John Kerry has a right to say he'd be a better president that George Bush, but you and I (I assume) get to be offended by that, too. Our offense at these actions doesn't diminish the actor's rights. Can you see the difference here? Everyone is getting to do and say what they want. No government is stopping them. Public pressure might, but that's not a violation of any rights.
You support those who would bring ANY liberal-force they could muster to trample on his rights!! You are such a LIBERAL SYMPATHY WUSS, that I am amazed you have the nerve to post on a CONSERVATIVE SITE.
If Mr. Lincoln was a liberal sympathy wuss, then I'll be glad to share that title.
If I remember correctly, the New England states considered seceeding during Jefferson's Presidency, didn't they?
You've *got* to be kidding, neighbor.
We're talking about the United States Park Service, for chrissakes.
It sounds as if the USPS taught 'em everything.
...it thinks it knows.
The Stonewall Jackson house is not run by the US Park Service. It's website is at www.stonewalljackson.org. I'd recommend a visit if you're in the area, though I won't be there to give you a tour anymore.
Most slave ships in the early 1800's, The Ku Klux Klan and the skin heads also flys the stars and strips. Why don't someone tell people about that?
Typical liberal bureaucrats just like ALL the whiner-wussys adore, even the ones on FR.
Must not offend, MUST NOT OFFEND!!
New Park Service/liberal-wuss-lover motto.
Don't rank you whiney bu++ up there with Lincoln, bub. You are not even CLOSE!!
Next thing we know some whiney liberal wuss will get all OFFENDED and all at the US Flag.... oh, wait.... TOO LATE!!
That is the one with the red bar on it correct?
Actually it was during the Madison administration.
Maybe you'll go down there and get your emancipated *ss kicked by some ticked off Southerner too.....Wouldn't THAT be funny :)
How True! I stand corrected :)
I still say they need to scrub and sanitize the house....cleanse it of liberal, yankee, PC stench :)
There IS a God.....
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