Georgia Confederates plot strategy: Defenders of '56 flag convene in Statesboro

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | June 13, 2003 | Carlos Campos

[berserker]

As their ancestors did in 1861, the Sons of Confederate Veterans will be making plans for war this weekend. But this battle won't be fought with sabers and rifles. It will be fought with computers, mailing lists and ballot boxes.

Beginning today, about 300 members of the state's SCV chapters, known as "camps," will gather in the southeast Georgia college town of Statesboro for the organization's 107th annual convention.

While the convention is supposed to be about fellowship and organizational matters, this year's will be rife with talk about Georgia's latest state flag change -- another setback for the heritage group's efforts to restore the 1956 flag with its controversial Confederate battle emblem.

"It's not a sympathy party," state SCV spokesman Dan Coleman said of the weekend. "It may be more of a strategy party. But people are not throwing up their hands. Most people are talking about 'can't wait for the next election.' "

At least one SCV member is taking the call to political action literally. Ken Waters, unhappy about the most recent flag change, has announced plans to run in a state House district in Paulding County in 2004.

Last fall, the 4,000-member Georgia division got partial credit for helping to defeat Roy Barnes, the governor who orchestrated the downsizing of the flag's Confederate emblem in 2001. They dogged Barnes with campaign trail protests and stoked anger among voters across the state. The flag change was by no means the only factor, SCV leaders agree, but most observers believe it played a role.

Instead of basking in that victory, many SCV members are seething -- and plotting their next move.

Coleman said his organization feels betrayed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, who agreed to allow the Legislature to change the flag again this year and set a referendum for March that doesn't include the Rebel battle emblem as a choice. Perdue had campaigned last year on a pledge to allow Georgians to vote on the design of the state flag.

Voters will be asked to select between the new flag, which resembles the first national flag of the Confederacy, and the blue flag hoisted by Barnes. Many SCV members esteem the Confederate battle emblem as a symbol of respect for the soldiers who fought the war, as opposed to a government banner, Coleman said. Critics say the battle flag is more evocative of slavery and segregation.

Coleman, who is a member of the SCV's Mableton camp, would not discuss specifics of the group's strategy. Because the SCV is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, its members must walk a fine line when it comes to political activity. Founded in 1896, SCV is made up of men who can prove ancestry to Confederate soldiers who served honorably. The group's purpose is to preserve the heritage of the Southern soldier.

Much of the political maneuvering takes place in an informal fashion among individual members through e-mail and Internet message boards. But some members of the SCV helped post the ubiquitous "Boot Barnes" placards last fall or are "flaggers" who picket events of elected officials who haven't supported their cause. Others urged their neighbors, friends and co-workers to support pro-battle emblem candidates.

Charles Lunsford, a member of the SCV's Stone Mountain camp, suggested those strategies will be used again against those who voted to omit the battle emblem. "We have learned over the years the only power the majority of the public has is their voting," said Lunsford, who is also president of the Atlanta-based Heritage Preservation Association. "And we just are going to make sure that everybody that votes in every district in the state knows whether or not their particular legislator has done something anti-Southern or not. You're not going to campaign for or against anyone; you're just telling people whether or not they have a scalawag in their midst."

[Constitution Day]

Dixie ping!

[stainlessbanner]

thanks for ping!

[Xthe17th]

I'm confused: "Voters will be asked to select between the new flag, which resembles the first national flag of the Confederacy, and the blue flag hoisted by Barnes."

uh, I thought the blue flag was the "new" flag? Is this blue flag the Bonnie Blue?

Please post the graphic color picture details. Thanx! Y'all have my Kentucky born West Virginia (subverted county) residence support.

[stainlessbanner]

Below are the flags being discussed. The most recent flag is called King Roy's Flag, or the Denny's Placemat.

[Xthe17th]

"The Denny's Placemat" - Hahahahah!

Curious though: what happened in 1956 to cause the Confederate jack to replace the bars? This was the time when the Civil Rights legislation was beginning to heat up in congress. You'll need some powerful defense to overcome that obstacle.

IMHO, the damn KKK screwed y'all...reverse guilt by association.

[Xthe17th]

or I should say, guilt by association through an inanimate historical object.

[stainlessbanner]

MS has St. Andrew's cross on their flag - been there since 1894. The klan flies other flags as well, but the media just likes to show the CBF for sensationalism.