(GA) Legislature approves new flag; no chance for vote on Confederate emblem

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 4.25.03

[mhking]

[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 4/26/03 ]

Legislature approves new flag; no chance for vote on Confederate emblem

The Associated Press

The Georgia Legislature approved a new state flag Friday and removed any chance that the Confederate battle emblem could be restored to the state banner.

If approved by the governor, the new flag will echo a Confederate national flag, but without the familiar Dixie cross, which black lawmakers called a symbol of oppression.

Next March, Georgia voters will choose between the temporary flag and the current Georgia flag. But there will never be a vote on the old state flag and its Confederate battle cross.

Black lawmakers cheered and some wept when the proposal passed. The Senate approved it 33-23, and the House approved it by the narrowest margin, 91-86, with the speaker casting the deciding vote. The 91 votes were the minimum needed for passage.

"This gives the people a flag based on history, but yet looking to the future," said Democratic Sen. George Hooks, a white Democrat who helped design the temporary banner.

Southern heritage advocates, who have been calling for a statewide referendum on the Confederate battle emblem flag, called the new flag a betrayal.

"We'll be making our displeasure known in short order," said Rusty Henderson of the Heritage Preservation Association.

Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue had called for a yes-no vote on the temporary flag. Then, if the temporary flag lost, voters would have had a chance to vote on the Confederate battle emblem flag.

But the flag bill sponsor, Rep. Glenn Richardson, R-Dallas, indicated the governor likely would be willing to sign the bill as approved by both chambers.

"It was as tight as it gets," Richardson said. "Georgia's divided; it's obvious we need to have a vote on this."

Civil rights leaders had denounced Perdue's initial plan and promised an economic boycott if the bill was not changed to remove any chance to vote on a Confederate emblem.

Georgia's flag was changed in 2001 to shrink the Confederate symbol partly to avoid economic boycotts like the one aimed at South Carolina, which flies the rebel banner on state Capitol grounds.

Business leaders in Atlanta have warned the boycotts could cripple tourism, Georgia's No. 2 industry, credited with bringing $16 billion a year to the state.

The civil rights groups said they may call for a boycott if any referendum on the flag is approved. The temporary flag also has Confederate roots, they said.

"This is a heinous proposal," said NAACP member Michael Bond, who is the son of NAACP chairman Julian Bond. "It's still a Confederate flag. It's completely objectionable."

Any boycott would be announced Saturday after an NAACP meeting in Macon.

[PAR35]

The problems related to this new flag are not really heritage issues. If folks want to object on legitimate grounds based upon the way the politicians acted, that is fine. But the objections should not be cast as heritage issues. It's a fine adaptation of the First National.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Do you want that in alphabetical, numerical or chronological order?

To start with the NAAPC, next the ACLU, next former New York Mayor Ruddy Giuliani. I name more, but you get the idea.

Wouldn't you get sick if someone came into your state and told you how to live.

[Amelia]

Georgia ping.

[Arkinsaw]

I never said the flag was not enough of an issue to fight about. I said very explicitly that they dont have anything ELSE to fight about. Dont go all self righteous on me.

I fight for the flag. I also fight for the 1st Amendment. Right after 911 I fought against the colleges that wanted to ban the US flag, I fought against the business in Florida that prohibited employees from having US flags on their desk, I fought against the used car lot in Denver that prohibited employees from displaying the US flag, I fought against the New England city that took US flags down. I've fought on Ebay to get them to ban the sale of both Union and Confederate grave markers. I fought against Pep Boys for firing a military reservist. I sent money to the Presidential Recount Fund. I fight for the poor black citizens of the Mississippi Delta region of my state who are kept jobless and on the dole for political reasons. I fought for the black farmers in their suit against the government, a suit that Republicans supported and the Democratic Black caucus sabotaged.

So you may have a stereotype view of what we have to fight for and who we are. But it ain't real. That makes me get sort of righteous sometimes.

[farmfriend]

[MissAmericanPie]

The citizens of Ga. should overturn the legislature in the next election and not allow one candidate to return to office.

[goldstategop]

The fact its objectionable to the NAACLP sends a wave of pleasure through me. Its time for Southerners to declare victory and move on. Its the smart thing to do. Let the race poverty pimps continue to stir divisions to pad their declining membership rolls. The people of Georgia need to be looking forward to the future whereas the NAACLP and its ilk is looking backward to the past.

[LWalk18]

When did Giuliani say anything about the flag? And voicing an opinion on the flag is not telling the state what to do. The ultimate choice was in the hands of the state legislature and they made their choice.

[PAR35]

Having a wedge issue is not necessarily a bad thing, if it can be used to continue to splinter the Democratic machine.

[Arkinsaw]

The problems related to this new flag are not really heritage issues. If folks want to object on legitimate grounds based upon the way the politicians acted, that is fine. But the objections should not be cast as heritage issues. It's a fine adaptation of the First National.

Yes, I agree, its a beautiful flag. This is an issue about the people deciding at the ballot box and perhaps having that opportunity taken away by trickery. Its also about an issue that could have been settled by the people allowed to continue festering for political and special interest reasons. I agree, its not about the heritage portion any more.

[Eaker]

Further, that is one stupid looking flag.

If I lived in a trailer I would not fly it under it.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Giuliani refused to fly the GA State Flag in New York City, but he flew the other 49 State Flags.

[billbears]

I'll tell you what's next. At least here in NC. Some professor at the almighty University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has decided to take on a memorial to Silent Sam. You see this monument has been up for oh, about 100 years, to remember our Confederate dead. But now this professor has decided that it needs to come down, just as the statue to Saddam Hussein

Daily Tarheel

It's already hit the local news and I imagine sooner or later it will hit the national news. I'm suprised the good Rev and his lynch mobs haven't already visited the campus

Chapel Hill has become a haven for leftists and frankly I'm suprised the thing is still up. Then I imagine the yankees and PC police will come for the monument on our capital grounds to the Confederate dead. To tell the truth, I'm about three steps past fed up with it. Our children will know the truth about their brave Confederate ancestors and will know the truth about the War.

BTW, how did that vote go in Greenville for MLK day? I was reading up on it for awhile but lost contact on what the situation was at the moment

[Arkinsaw]

Having a wedge issue is not necessarily a bad thing, if it can be used to continue to splinter the Democratic machine.

I'd rather have the people of Georgia settle it forever at the ballot box and have some sort of peace than have a political wedge issue. I really like the new flag. But I would like it better if it had come with finality.

[PAR35]

What did the pre-Confederate GA State Flag look like?

The pre-1956 flag had the blue bar and state seal as seen on the 1956 flag, but instead of the battle flag, it had three stripes, red - white - red. As I recall, the bottom stripe was the same size as the other two stripes, rather than extending all the way across as in the current proposal.

[spodefly]

It's great. I love it. Now, please Flaggots, enough.

[Paul C. Jesup]

The ultimate choice was in the hands of the state legislature and they made their choice.

The unltimate choice on anything is from the voter, when you forget that, you are no better than a tyrant.

[billbears]

Don't forget those fun loving knuckleheads over at the SPLC. Morris Dees just has to shut up for one day

[Savage Beast]

Well...this design is about as good as it's going to get, which is to say, okay. At least they got rid of that fast-food placemat.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

thanks.