Confederate flag flies, John Deere dies

Edgefield Journal ^ | 11/21/01

[shuckmaster]

Pontiac, SC - It has been announced in local media (Columbia, SC) that the John Deere plant in Pontiac, SC, is being shut down. The plant has been subject to twice weekly protests by Southern heritage supporters since October, 2000.

The protests, organized by Dean Weems, were the result of John Deere management firing two employees due to their love of their heritage. Bill Van Der Hoff, a mechanic, was fired for refusing to remove a 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch Confederate Battle flag sticker from his personally owned tool box. Another employee, Gary Waller, was fired for the crime of whistling the song, “Dixie.”

After all attempts to get John Deere management to rectify the situation had failed, the protests were organized and have been ongoing twice a week ever since.

With the imminent closing of the plant, which is currently for sale and which Weems believes was at least partially caused by the pickets, a final “going away” picket has been announced for November 16.

Weems said, “I thought that with a whole lot of patience and presistence and determination we could win. I feel like we have done just that. I think our Confederate ancestors would be very proud of us all. David can slay Goliath. We planted a small seed every day we went over there and flew our battle flags and that seed has grown and borne fruit.”

Weems was very thankful for all the people who consistently showed up for the protests over the past year. Weems is hoping for a huge turnout at the last picket on Nov 16.

[shuckmaster]

Aw, Shucks!

[shuckmaster]

ping

[AlKipple]

And then all of the employees can sign up for unemployment. Now explain how this is a win.

[brooklin]

Yeah, whoopie! Losing your job is always a win. The little flags and whistling weren't what closed down this plant, sorry.

[KJMorgan]

Now explain how this is a win.

It wasn't and Weems is an idiot.
His cause is good but he's an idiot.

[TomServo]

Bump!!

[sheltonmac]

Bill Van Der Hoff, a mechanic, was fired for refusing to remove a 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch Confederate Battle flag sticker from his personally owned tool box. Another employee, Gary Waller, was fired for the crime of whistling the song, “Dixie.”

Another blow to the "Slaveocracy." Won't these people learn that "Slaveocrats" will not be tolerated in this country? How dare they flaunt their "Slaveocratic" heritage in public! Dey needs to realize dat dere's only one massa' and dat's Uncle Sam!

</sarcasm>

I'm just Yankeeing your chains. ;-)

[bluecollarman]

We're not even allowed to whistle Dixe?????

[ALinArleta]

Nothing run's like a Deere!

[pointsal]

take a look at the JD P&L maybe that will give those fellas in Pontiac an idea about closing the plant.

[TomServo]

We're not even allowed to whistle Dixe?????

Sure. But's it's usually a cue to the thought police. So whistle at your own peril.

[TomServo]

whoops, But's = But...sheesh - fat fingers.

[lavaroise]

I guess Chinese slave workers are much cheaper, heck, they don't have the freedom of speech.

This is really sad. We are selling away our freedoms to Marxists.

[Texas Yellow Rose]

	"The protests, organized by Dean Weems, were the result of John Deere management firing two employees due to their love of their heritage. Bill Van Der Hoff, a mechanic, was fired for refusing to remove a 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch Confederate Battle flag sticker from his personally owned tool box. Another employee, Gary Waller, was fired for the crime of whistling the song, “Dixie.”  "
This is just about the dumbest paragraph I have ever read!  John Deere's management had every right to ban Confederate Flags, American Flags, Chinese Flags, Texas Flags, or any other flag from their business.  If the employees didn't like it they should have walked!   Let's hear it for good ole Bill Van Der Hoff, his wife and children! {/sarcasm}.  I just bet they are real happy this holiday season.
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[dixie sass]

Trying to be a lady, a South Carolinian and someone who is usually very proud of the citizens of her state, feels very ashamed and dishonored by the actions of these people. They are losing an industry that is badly needed. People will be put out of work, children will be affected, the community harmed and all of this for a sticker and whistling and at the holidays.

Somehow that doesn't equate, especially at this time of the year with all that has happened in the last several months.

My PROUD southern ancestors would be devastated at this, to see their fellow citizens tossed out of their jobs. Oh, by the way, aren't you the guy who moved here from up north? The one who tries to lecture us on our southern heritage? Methinks there is another motive behind these demonstrations. Shame, fie on you, sir. Descrating the fine memories of our ancestors by saying they would be proud to see our state fall down in ruin. HUMPH!!!!!!!!!!!

[shuckmaster]

Nothing run's like a Deere!

If it had been some of Jesse's people who were treated like this, the yankee corporation would have paid them all off with a huge bribe & given everybody some good ol' diversity training. But, for some Southern working class folks... they'd rather sink the ship than tolerate someone whistlin' Dixie on their plantation. Good riddance.

[stainlessbanner]

The little flags and whistling weren't what closed down this plant, sorry.

You're right. It was JD's stupid executive staff. Had they been more concerned with profitability than attacking some laborers about a sticker, the plant might still be open.

What's even more ironic, the folks who whined and complained are now out of job just the same as the two Southern gentleman.

Sad story all around.

[Abcdefg]

Save yer Dixie cups, the South shall rise again!

[Commonsense]

I think the sentence in this article that hits me the hardest is: Weems said, “I thought that with a whole lot of patience and presistence and determination we could win. I feel like we have done just that.

EVERY old saying I've ever heard comes to mind. Cutting off your nose to spite your face; Throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Let's go ahead and sacrifice everything that our South Carolina forefathers fought and died for - both in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Those men and women are probably in tears trying to figure out how we got it so wrong.

This falls right in with the idea of allowing a democrat to come into office to "punish" those who compromised on the flag.

[spartan68]

BS BS BS BS more BS, closing that plant has absoutely nothing to do with Confederate Flags and protests
This is all about Nortrax/John Deere and their 29 cent pencil pushing idiot management, and their jackass policies for the last couple of years - Period!