Posted on 08/09/2008 9:02:39 AM PDT by Colonel Kangaroo
TEMPLE TERRACE — Bart Siegel, an outspoken advocate for the display of the giant Confederate flag near the intersection of Interstate 4 and I-75, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot in his Temple Terrace home Thursday.
Siegel, 50, was a Republican accountant who penned long letters to newspapers and verbally sparred with columnists.
In 2000, he announced his desire to "stir things up" by running against then-Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court Richard Ake, a Democrat unopposed since 1986. Siegel lost, but kept stirring things up.
In the face of a protest, Siegel professed his love for the sport of gator hunting. He defended his boating club, the Tampa Cruis-a-Cade, amid a city lawsuit, and he often spoke out at Temple Terrace city meetings. Most recently, he became one of the loudest voices defending the Confederate flag.
Siegel wasn't even Southern.
He was born in New Jersey and raised Jewish, but married Lunelle Mizell, a fifth-generation Floridian with Confederate ancestors. He became fascinated with all things Southern, and about 10 years ago, became an associate member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
He lacked the lineage, said fellow member Marion Lambert. "But he had the heart and soul of a Confederate."
Siegel steadfastly maintained that the flag wasn't a racist symbol, but one of pride.
A few years ago, Siegel converted to Messianic Judaism, and attended Fowler Avenue Baptist Church. He called Lambert the day before he died, asking if he would go to church with him. Lambert couldn't make it.
The Hillsborough County medical examiner preliminarily ruled Siegel's death a suicide.
A non-political story and they put his party affiliation in the second paragraph. Gotta paint those Republicans as racists at EVERY opportunity........
Good point. His party affiliation was not relevant to this unfortunate story.
"I'm a Republican accountant."
Damn! Now I know why it wasn’t flying when I rode by there the other day.
I live in Tampa and have seen a lot of very hateful speech toward this group. I wonder what impact that had on his decision.
Very sad
Guess that makes me a Republican Systems Analyst.
Arkancide?
Link to Tampa Tribune story:
Doing that around here would guarantee smashed windows,slashed tires....and worse.
Although it might be fun driving through Harvard Square or Brookline (*proud* home of Mike Dukakis) with such a flag.
Obmacide?
Any bus tracks near his body?
RIP.
Don't ya just love the boys and girls in "the media." They really have a way with words.
It would be wrong to place Stars and Bars decals on the cars of known leftists . Funny , but so wrong .
I’m also “proud to say..”
I think Stalin called writers "engineers of human souls".
Thankfully there's still many Americans who aren't willing to be malleable metal for the "engineers" of the media.
No,I mean that if I had such a decal on *my* car I'd have my tires slashed,etc.Hell,a few years back when my Dad lived in Brookline (the *proud* home of Mike Dukakis)and I often stayed with him to help him,etc I had three Dole/Kemp bumper stickers ripped from my bumper.
“I’m a Republican accountant.”
Does that mean his numbers actually add up correctly ?
Apparent suicide, alot people disliked this man. Who is investigating????
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