Posted on 06/24/2015 5:31:20 PM PDT by Kaslin
Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, a southern Democrat contemplating a run for president, encouraged people on Wednesday to understand the complicated history of the Civil War when calling for the removal of the Confederate flag across the country.
This is an emotional time and we all need to think through these issues with a care that recognizes the need for change but also respects the complicated history of the Civil War, Webb wrote in a post on Facebook.
Responding to the shooting in Charleston last week, the governors of South Carolina and Alabama have called for the removal of the flag off the capitol grounds.
Responding to the removal of the Confederate flag in states across the country, Webb said: The Confederate Battle Flag has wrongly been used for racist and other purposes in recent decades. It should not be used in any way as a political symbol that divides us.
Webbs statement — which could appeal to southerners who view the flag not as a symbol of hate, but of history and regional pride — is at odds with the more liberal wing of his party. Hillary Clinton, for example, said Wednesday that she would like to see stores across the country stop selling Confederate flags.
Webb also said: We should also remember that honorable Americans fought on both sides in the Civil War, including slave holders in the Union Army from states such as Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware, and that many non-slave holders fought for the South. It was in recognition of the character of soldiers on both sides that the federal government authorized the construction of the Confederate Memorial 100 years ago, on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.
This is a time for us to come together, and to recognize once more that our complex multicultural society is founded on the principle of mutual respect, he said.
If he cares that much, why is he a democrat?
Agree there. However it is probably a good thing that there are at least a few people in that party that can sometimes be sensible.
I might, just might, maybe, vote demonrat for the first time in my life if he gets their nomination.
He is an opportunist. He saw a chance to be Allen and took it. He served in Reagan’s administration I believe. That said, I can’t forgive him for voting for Obamacare.
He’s still a democrat...enough said. Hell, most republicans these days are pieces of excrement.
He’s 100% right.
He was SECNAV under President Reagan.
I served during that period and Webb was a good SECNAV.
He’s never been a crazy dem. just a little “touched.”
If anything should be banned - BAN THE DEMORAT PARTY !!!
Like being agreed with by Charles Manson...
Just another smear by association.
Fully Funding It ever since they took power in 2010 !
Bonehead and Mitchy wanted Obamacare too but they used it as a Wedge issue to gain back power.
Now the Dems will use
the TPP Treason Treaty to take back all three section, the Senate, House, and WH in 2016.
At last a voice of reason, probably be smothered
in short order.
Not many on my side
I’ll take it
No surprise RINOs first to fold is it?
What has incorrectly become known as “The Confederate Flag” is actually the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia...
Sometimes referred to as “The Southern Cross” or “The Cross of St Andrew”, and reflects the Scots-Irish heritage of the people of Appalachia and other regions of the South...
During Reconstruction, the flag became synonymous with the Ku Klux Klan and a symbol of racism against Southerm Blacks...Incorrectly, since the Klan also used the symbol of The Cross, and as yet I’ve never heard The Cross of Jesus connected with racism against Blacks...
People see what they want to see...
Take a look at “Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America” by Jim Webb...Many valuable insights into the people and times for the curious and intellectually honest...
He switched to the Democrat party about ten years ago because he was against the Iraq war.
Still can’t get over his snarky remark to President Bush when asked about his son. n/s
This confederate flag stuff is just theater. Banning the confederate flag will not stop racism or prevent any future massacres of people by a nut case.
That being said, I don’t support flying the confederate flag on government buildings. Regardless of why certain individuals fought or how they fought in the War Between the States, it can not be ignored that if the confederacy had won, slavery would have continued. The confederate flag was a symbol for a government that accepted slavery as fine and that government was defeated, thankfully. Therefore, remove it from government buildings.
Now if private citizens want to fly it, fine, go for it, but as a conservative, I see nothing positive or “team building” in flying the old symbol of the confederacy on our current government buildings.
end of my two cents
The North passed an amendment to the Constitution to make slavery permanent and not subject to further amendments (Corwin amendment). The great majority of the north cared little about southern slaves. The war was fought to subjugate the south.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.