(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.

[Paul C. Jesup]

I know what you mean.

[billbears]

BTW, what IS that? The GA state seal? And if so what's that little guy in the middle supposed to be doing?

[LWalk18]

The unltimate choice on anything is from the voter

And they will make their choice on election day when they vote out those who voted out exclude the 1956 flag.

[Arkinsaw]

You see this monument has been up for oh, about 100 years,

This is all about manufacturing enemies in order to be "relevant" to the membership. Its all about fundraising and keeping the pot stirred.

I swear that the NAACP leadership cried when the flag came down in South Carolina. I bet they literally cried. They had to backstab their supporters in the business community and refute the "compromise" in order to keep it boiling.

They have engineered this result in Georgia for the same reason. Now it will keep boiling.

If all those flags come down it will still continue. It will move to the cemeteries, it will move to the license plates and bandanas. It has nothing to do with the flag, the cemetery, or the bandana. Its fundraising.

[Amelia]

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.

I'm with you. I think this new flag is pretty. I think the blue one we have now is ugly.

But having talked to a local SCV member yesterday, I think they are going to be outraged at the post-1956 one not even being on the ballot. And there SHOULD have been that choice.

[goldstategop]

Right. You're going to get black Democrats and urban liberals voted out? Fat chance.

[eddie willers]

And if so what's that little guy in the middle supposed to be doing?

He's got a gun.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Several factors played into that political change, the flag change (or I should say the arrogance in how they changed the flag) was one of the main reasons.

[Arkinsaw]

Now, please Flaggots, enough.

Your personal epithet really makes us want to do what you say. Buzz off fly.

[Arkinsaw]

I think they are going to be outraged at the post-1956 one not even being on the ballot. And there SHOULD have been that choice.

Is it your opinion that they were even willing to accept the two stage process that had passed? As long as their was a chance at the ballot box?

[billbears]

LOL. Thanks I was just wondering. Ours in NC the people are a little (but not much) bigger, so I just wasn't sure what the person in GA's was doing

[goldstategop]

That's true. You really think the NAACLP is going to put itself out of business? If the flag wasn't the issue they'd invent something else. In these trying times, the most urgent priority for the Left is to remain relevant. To tell the truth, I don't think most black or white Georgians care that much about the flag design. They'd accept a sensible compromise and go on with their lives. But for the reasons you stated, the Left is never going to allow the issue to die. Its just too irresistable to continue to try to browbeat their oppponents into total capitulation.

[eddie willers]

Neal Boortz coined Flaggot.
It's dead on.

I was born in Atlanta in 1952 and I agree with Neal....the 56 flag was created (with no elective input) purely to thumb their nose at Brown v Education.

It should have been changed years ago.

[LWalk18]

Right. You're going to get black Democrats and urban liberals voted out? Fat chance.

Yeah, I guess you have to have the blacks vote,too. Why should they have a voice, they're not REAL southerners, right?

The last time I looked, blacks and liberals were not the majority of Georgians. So all those white conservatives can vote and use their strength in numbers to create a Republican majority in the Georgia legislature.

[Eaker]

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

Where is the rainbow? Or are you going to change it again in a few years to appease the Flaggots who don't include the "l"?

[PAR35]

BTW, what IS that? The GA state seal?

It's the arch at the entrance to the University of Georgia campus, and it is intended to be an affront to all Georgia Tech graduates.

It's also the state seal.

[Eaker]

Where is the rainbow? Or are you going to change it again in a few years to appease the Flaggots who don't include the "l"?

[Blackyce]

So you take time valuable time out from healing the sick and feeding the hungry to fight for the foremost remaining symbol of Jim Crow in GA?? Nice to see you have your priorities straight.

[Arkinsaw]

Neal Boortz coined Flaggot. It's dead on.

Its a free country. You can use your bigoted epithet if turns you on. I'm sure it makes the NAACP happy with you, but it won't bring peace to Georgia though. Only a vote could have done that.

[eddie willers]

No....I want it to stop now!
This flag is close enough to the pre-1956 flag ro suit me.

This ain't the hill I choose to die upon.