Posted on 08/10/2012 11:39:13 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Race and politics are two topics many people try to avoid. But controversy isn't stopping one Cape Coral teenager. It's just how he's getting his point across that got our attention!
For many people, just seeing the Confederate Flag can stir up some very strong emotions. And seeing President Barack Obama's picture next to that flag is something you might not expect to see.
Now though, the juxtaposition is part of a political message is part of a 16-year-old Ryan Turner's political message.
Ryan says he has the heart of a redneck.
"It's someone who's not afraid to get down and dirty for their money - someone who's not afraid to work hard wipe the sweat off their brow," he said.
"May use a little foul language once in a while but they're not bad people," added his uncle, Tony Turner.
Ryan explained his uncle Tony has been a big part of his life – especially since his father died of cancer 10-years ago.
"If he had good health insurance it would be totally curable - prostate cancer," Ryan said.
And it's that idea - healthcare reform - that steered Ryan toward one candidate.
"Oh, definitely President Obama," he said.
He even started a 'Rednecks for Obama' Facebook page.
"We're rednecks, but we're not racists," he said.
The premise is not exactly original. We found similar groups formed the last time Obama ran for president.
Ryan says where some see a symbol of hate in the Confederate Flag, he sees history.
"It's very, very likely my family fought in the Confederate Army," Ryan said.
"When I grew up in Plant City, Florida, they were still fighting the Civil War," Tony added.
It shouldn't be surprising to hear Ryan and his Uncle Tony to talk about southern heritage. After all, they live in Lee County, Florida - place named after confederate general Robert E. Lee.
When Lee County democrats opened up their new headquarters on Saturday, Ryan brought his own decoration - America's first black president conjoined with the Confederacy.
Moments later party leaders asked Ryan to take it down.
"If somebody is offended by it, I can understand it because they're only seeing one half of the flag," Tony said.
James Muwakkil, President of Lee County's NAACP, says he doesn't mind the Confederate Flag next to President Obama.
"Not if the intention is positive," he said. "For us to be here in the Deep South, and to see whites embracing an African-American man - we love it."
"The reason for the group is to prove not all southerners are racist," Ryan explained.
Lee County democratic leaders canceled our interview for Thursday.
We reached out to the Obama campaign to find out if they endorse Rednecks for Obama. They welcome the support, but did not want to comment on whether they support the use of the Confederate Flag next to the president.
“I’ll take ‘fictional characters’ for $1,000, Alex.”
Who would have thunk that this would be a story on NBC news station?????
Good thing this kid isn’t old enough to vote, although Hussein probably signed him up twice. Maybe he’ll buy a clue by the time he can register legally.
That chikin be taking a lik’in but will keep on cluckin.
Q: Why is it so hard to solve redneck murders?
A: Because all the DNA is the same, and there’s no dental records.
Rednecks if Florida?
I don’t think so.
Q: Why is it so hard to solve redneck murders?
A: Because all the DNA is the same, and there’s no dental records
_____________________________
LOL! That would be hillbillies, not rednecks, though.
“”If he had good health insurance it would be totally curable - prostate cancer,” Ryan said.
With health insurance all illnesses are totally curable...
FAIL”
Actually that is a DOUBLE fail.
One of my oldest and best buddies is in the ground because of prostate cancer - and he had EXCELLENT health insurance. Unfortunately, cancer reacts differently with different people. And if your number happens to come up on the bad side - all the doctors and medical science in the world ain’t smart enough to save you. In fact, during one of our last conversations his exact words were, “if I’d known how this was going to turn out, I would have never gone through all this shit.” So much for great insurance.
Wait! I thought all rednecks were racist!
/s
My family fought for the North—They were New England Abolitionists to boot. They fell at The Crater, Cold Harbor, and Gettysburg. One was a “guest” of the Confederate government at a place called Libby Prison. After a year he weighed in at 97 pounds. I have no “White Guilt” their blood paid for any guilt I might have had.
Well, they finally got old enough to clean up their act!
ping
If you don’t know, you are not a Red Neck.
If you don’t know, they probably didn’t
Chickens for KFC
Ants for Raid
Mule Deer for Winchester
When Lee County democrats opened up their new headquarters on Saturday, Ryan brought his own decoration - America's first black president conjoined with the Confederacy. Moments later party leaders asked Ryan to take it down. "If somebody is offended by it, I can understand it because they're only seeing one half of the flag," Tony said.
Right, who could permit such a thing? It's not something multi-cultural like a Communist Cuban flag with Che Guevara on it...
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