Thursday, June 5, 2008

huge rebel flag gets reaction

You may have heard. There was a new giant confederate flag flying near the intersection of I-4 and I-75 yesterday.

As you might expect, and as the organizers probably wanted, it sure is getting a lot of attention.

Steve Otto says it is Another Questionable Landmark:

“I would suggest that if Mr. Lambert or the good people of the Sons of Confederate Veterans want to get some tips on how to honor those who served and died, they ought to head up I-75 near Bushnell and drive over to the Florida National Cemetery, a magnificent memorial and resting place for those who served in our military.”

Sue Carlton thinks the Message is Clear:

“Supporters will tell you it’s all about preserving heritage. Sorry, but I don’t buy that wide-eyed line, or the idea that well-intentioned people interested only in remembering their history would use a symbol so abrasive, incendiary and hurtful to so many fellow citizens. Or that there is no other way to honor family than this.”

A Tribune editorial suggests the Flag Flies in Face of Good Taste:

“… if the group is sincere about wanting to honor its heritage, it would make the flag’s size proportional to the veterans’ memorial below. That would be the neighborly thing to do. Yet in its quest for attention, the Sons overlook the greater good. It’s a selfish move.”

If someone wants to put up a flag of the armed forces of a foreign country that only existed for less than five years over 140 years ago, well, this is the United States of America. And partly because the armed forces of the Confederate States of America lost their asses to the United States of America, being a citizen of the USA gives you and I the freedom to choose to pay $800 for a giant rebel flag made in China, and the liberty to raise it 139 feet in the air or so.


source: sticksoffire.com

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