Confederate Flag Controversy

[larry_cockerham]

When the portion of the state flag as was or is the case in Georgia included the stars and bars, then that was (I think it has recently been re-designed) the state flag and had it's right to be there. A confederate battle flag, the stars and bars, not the regimental flags that were carried into battle, in my opinion have little place in "official" settings. We have a flag for that, as you know, with 50 stars. Flying OVER or ON a school, so as to imply undue current signifigance? Nope, our kids have enough trouble finding Oklahoma (or any other state) on the map. They don't need to be confused. Does the Confederate battle flag have a rightful place in the cemeteries, battlefields, at Beauvoir, Chancellorsville, our 'shrine' at Winstead Hill in Franklin, TN and other sites where there is a reason to remember and commemorate our history? Certainly. Us rednecks (I spent a few years on the farm and earned that title) deserve to do a bit of remembering (or trying to imagine). We don't keep folks from celebrating Dr. King's birthday, St. Patricks Day, or walking around wearing kilts and blowing bagpipes, so a bars and stars in a veteran's parade couldin't be too out of line?

[sgtcsa]

If I may,
I'd like to add a little something here. It may not solve anything, but I'd like to throw in my two cents worth anyway. First, I am a native Virginian. I am proud of my former State, even though I no longer live there. I was raised with what those flags of the Confederacy meant. There are far too many folks today, who pay no attention to what those flags did stand for. There are too many who look at those proud banners and say, 'They stand for slavery'. To those of us who were raised with what they stood for, it means much more. They do not stand for hatred, bitterness, or injustice, they stand for honor, bravery and dedication to a belief. My ancestors died upholding the honor of that flag. They didn't believe that, that flag stood for something dishonorable. They didn't die for a cause that they considered unjust. For some reason, to which I have no answer, the wrong people took up those banners and made them something that aren't. However, with people being as they are, rather than incite them into something that could be harmful or distasteful, I just 'fly' the first Confederate national flag. People don't have any idea what it is, and they say nothing. As far as they know, it's just a flag that looks similar to the U.S. flag, but I.............KNOW, what that flag stands for, and I display it proudly. Let me make this clear though, I am an American first and foremost, but I still have deep feelings about my Confederate ancestery. I know that people have their own thoughts on the subject, and I respect those, but I have mine as well, and I expect others to respect my opinions also. Isn't that what makes this country what it is? I feel that in spite of it all, the majority still rules, and the voices of the few, may still be heard, but they do not rule the majority. As for flying it over a State capital building for public school? I leave that for the majority to decide.

Respectfully,
sgtcsa

[bill_torrens]

A quick question.

In the immediate aftermath of the war, when Confederate veterans' buttons were being cut off or covered, the flying of any Confederate flag was obviously outlawed. When did things change? What is the earliest documented occasion on which the authorities allowed a public display of a rebel banner?

[cwrose]

I don't have an answer to Bill's question, but perhaps somebody else does.

I just wanted to add my two cents to the thread. I don't have a problem with the Confederate Battle flag until it is flown on a Federal or State building. To me the flags flying over that building are representations of what the government is supposed to be upholding, etc. The Confederate Battle flag does not belong up there, and in my opinion, only because it was that flag that thousands of men fought under in order to secede from the Union. Isn't it kind of hypocritcal to fly that flag over an institution of the U.S.? Fly the flag over monuments, cemeteries, trucks, cars, houses, what-have-you, but not over government buildings. I respect all of the men who fought for their bravery and courage, irregardless of their reasons for fighting. I don't want to crush or obliterate anybody's heritage, either. I just feel that there are some places where the southern cross does not belong.

[sgtcsa]

May I add ma'am,
Very well said.

[sgtcsa]

Unionblue sir,
May I say, that you did a splendid job of putting that into words. As much as it pains me to say as much, and as a Southerner, and American, I believe what you said is true. As much as it wouldn't bother me to see that flag fly atop some government buildings, I feel as if that really wouldn't be an appropriate thing to do. I most truly do believe in that grand old flag, but I'm afraid we lost that war, and as was mentioned, it should be regulated to other 'duties' besides flying over government buildings. However, I strongly believe that, that flag should not be banned from flying. Unionblue, that was a great instance you gave regarding the Southern men turning their backs on the KKK. I commend you sir.

I am, respectfully yours,
sgtcsa

[unionblue]

Sgtcsa,

Thank you for your kind words and your understanding of mine and cwrose's views.

As for the acts of the 37th Texas when repudiating those who would tarnish the heritage of the Confederate Battle Flag, those Southern men have my utmost respect and as they are true Southerners, I expected no less. They deserve the credit and the thanks as they did their ancestors truly proud.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[cwrose]

I appreciate the kind words from both of you, unionblue and sgtcsa. Thank you very much.

[william42]

Just so I'm clear on the flags, in my post I objected to changing the state flag, such as Georgia's for example, to minimize the Confederate battle flag. And if someone could help me here, I thought I had the different flags clear in my mind, but some of the previous posts refer to the Confederate Battle Flag as the Stars and Bars. I've always thought the Stars and Bars was the flag with the circular white stars in the top left corner, so if somebody could clear that up once and for all, I would be much obliged to them. I'm going to try to attach the flags as part of this post...we'll see how that goes...Thanks..Terry

This is the Stars and Bars, true or false.

[william42]

This is the Confederate Battle Flag, true or false?