The Meaningless(ness) Of Flags
“Y’all have stirred up a hornet’s nest now,” a friend of ours emailed our founding editor today, referring to a story we posted Thursday regarding the Confederate flag.
Actually, we have Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod to thank for that, as we were merely covering the Confederate flag issue within the context of his “jobs plan,” which called for the Stars and Bars that currently flies from behind a soldiers’ monument on the State House grounds to be transported to a museum.
You can read the story (and the comments) by clicking here, if you’re interested.
Anyway, as much as we’d love to write about the Confederate flag every day (and rake in all the huge web traffic that such articles bring), in good conscience we just can’t.
Why not?
Because frankly, we don’t believe that the Confederate flag debate – or any flag-related flap (bad pun, sorry) – is really that big of a deal.
After all, you are currently reading a website that relishes bashing rednecks every bit as much as it enjoys telling the NAACP to go f*ck itself – although those examples stand out because we rarely feel compelled to address the race issue at all.
Why not? Well, as much as polarizing politicians like President Barack Obama and Rep. Joe Wilson might think (read: exploit) otherwise, race isn’t all that complicated.
To us, “equality” means exactly what its definition implies – a level playing field for all that doesn’t discriminate based on race, gender or sexual orientation. Is such a position considered “progressive” for a state like South Carolina? Who knows. We honestly don’t think about it all that much. We believe what we believe, and others are free to do the same.
The flip side of that coin, though, is that we also don’t believe in affirmative action, handouts, hate crimes legislation, quotas, the re-imposition of the welfare “bounty system,” government-imposed education monopolies (which, ironically, hold more blacks down) non-performance based pay raises, minority-only loans or any of that other PC nonsense that presumes to give any minority an unfair competitive advantage over non-minorities (read: crackers) in any field of endeavor.
Yeah … our “white guilt” level is less than zero, people.
Bottom line, we never enslaved or lynched anybody, nor did any of our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. You wanna go back further than that? Take it up with President Johnson (Andrew).
Of course, if you flip that coin back over (again), racism is a fundamental human evil that makes us want to throw up. That’s why it’s doubtful you will ever find another news outlet in South Carolina that so aggressively (and articulately :)) excoriates those who demean or belittle other human beings based on race.
Joking is one thing (we do plenty of that), but when people spew authentic hatred – and it comes time for somebody to “drop the hammer” on them – we’re always game. Similarly, you won’t find a more stringent advocate for undoing South Carolina’s racist 1895 state constitution,which continues to hold our state back a helluva lot more than any piece of fabric.
On that note, if gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod was serious about improving economic conditions for all Palmetto State residents, he would have included a plan to bring our state government out of the 19th Century, not a pandering focus on a meaningless symbol.
Which brings us our point (and the picture we were forwarded earlier today by a good friend of ours).
As you can see from the image above, that’s a group of Ku Klux Klansmen marching through Washington D.C. in 1925. Amazingly, they’re carrying the American – not the Confederate flag.
“Oh say can you see,” right?
Pandering, obviously, was every bit as alive and well then as it is now. And flags, obviously, can still be carried by anybody looking to make any sort of statement. Even racists like the KKK.
Of course, when you stop and think about it, a lot of people who stand by the flag these days clearly don’t have the foggiest conception of what it stands for.
Most of them don’t, actually.
Think about it … the revolutionary equation that this nation was founded on is strikingly simple – individual liberty and prosperity for all, with a limited government (like we used to have) dedicated to protecting freedom and free markets.
Accordingly, where individual freedom and free markets wax, America moves closer to its ideal and its people move closer to happiness. Where those principles wane, however, we move closer towards oblivion and a repressive regime that will soon have to erect walls to keep people in, not out.
Until the current generation of politicians – in Washington D.C. and Columbia S.C. – figure that basic formula out, their flags will continue to stand as meaningless symbols on the political battlefield.
They’ll also continue to cheapen the sacrifices being made by those who are fighting for freedom on the actual battlefield.
Pic hat-tip: KJSK
Comments
By Ynot on November 20th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
good article Sic
By Liberty For Me on November 20th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Very good…points
So what do these signs say????…..HMM socialist agenda from a century ago or not??? just curious to know what people think.
http://history.verdeserve.com/the-official-american-flag-salute-used-to-be-a-hitler-salute/
By Isaac Bickerstaff on November 20th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I’m sick and tired of Obama’s Gestapo tactics and endless tax hikes. Look at all the infringements on civil liberties and tax increases we have seen in the past 10 months. Pretty soon even the Mexicans won’t come here.
By Brandon on November 20th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Speaking of the current generation of politicians, and the Klan, and flags. Here are some thoughts from Sen. Robert Byrd.
“I shall never fight in the armed forces with a Negro by my side…Rather, I should die at thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.”
(future)Sen. Robert Byrd in a letter to Sen. Theodore Bilbo (D-MS).
By Brandon on November 20th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Forgot to mention the letter by Robert Byrd was penned in 1944 when he was an Klan member.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 20th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
When you say Obama is using “Gestapo” tactics, you’re showing a distorted view of either present reality or history.
Show me where one Obama gas chamber is, just one. I’ll buy a gun, which I never wanted to do, and help you liberate the place.
if you can’t show me one gas chamber, then shut the fuck up.
By LStewart on November 20th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Actually this is a really well written article with great points. Nice job.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 20th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
When you say Obama is using “Gestapo” tactics, you’re showing a distorted view of either present reality or history.
Show me where one Obama gas chamber is, just one. I’ll buy a gun, which I never wanted to do, and help you liberate the place.
if you can’t show me one gas chamber, then shut the hell up.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
If you think the f— is too harsh, please use the “hell” instead.
By BrettInc on November 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Unfortunately we live in a state where it seems like people on both sides of the issue seem to be using the ongoing Confederate flag debacle as a hot potato they can just toss back and forth. The Confederate flag debate used to have much more meaningful roots on both sides, and it still does to many, but for others it has become nothing more than a political tool. It is sad to see our state go in that direction because not only does it cheapen history for ALL of us…regardless of whether your ancestors were slaves, Confederates, Yankees or other… but it just makes our politics more venemous. Not what we need.
By OhYesAgain on November 20th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Hey, OHNO…aren’t you that same swing voter from the District from yesterday? The Spratt lover? Very erudite posting today. Very classy. I am sure John will be well pleased to have you on his side.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
You want to question the harsh language used because you can’t argue the point.
So forget my erudition or lack thereof.
Put up or shut up.
By Nathan Earle on November 20th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
You libertarian you.
Oh, and thanks for taking down the ugly, profane, anti-woman “tuneage” you had on the site earlier today.
By FITSNews on November 20th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Nathan,
Actually, “Bitches ain’t shit” can be viewed from several angles. On the surface, it indeed it appears to be typical of the misogynist “gangsta lean” of so much of today’s hip hop.
If you pay close attention to the lyrics, however, the song is full of self-loathing and a disdain for those taking advantage of the tricks.
So …
-FITS
P.S. – For misogyny, check out the post we did after the 2008 primary elections proclaiming “99 Problems (but a bitch ain’t one)” as the new theme song of the S.C. Senate. Or, look up our founding editor’s arrest record. :(
By 2 cents on November 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Great. While the country is faced with so many pressing issues, let’s argue over a flag. Put it with the Confederate Monument and be done.
By CNSYD on November 20th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
OhNoNotAgain, as always it depends on whose ox is being gored. How do you think Islamic militants would respond to your “show me Obama’s gas chambers” remark. Is a civilian killed by collateral damage any less dead than one put in a gas chamber? So there is always plenty of blood on everyone’s hands.
By SnakeMD on November 20th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Has anyone checked to see if the Klan picture above has been doctored? Those flags should be Confederate flags, right?
By James the Foot Soldiers on November 20th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
OnNoNotAgain:
history: kill 6 million jews in a gas chamber…..
or…
present: kill 10s of millions of babies in their mothers wombs….
History meet the present, present meet history. Your beloved Obama most certainly does hold the lower moral ground.
Make sure to get your firearm owners id card first as I’m sure a bed wetter like you would never dream of possessing one and then head to your nearest Glock Store – may i suggest the Glock 35, 40 cal with 15 in the clip. With as bad as aim as you probably are you may want to go with the clip that holds 17.
By Justice for all on November 20th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Although,U never enslaved, lynched, etc any blacks,U directly benefit as a white man in America from those who did and therby placing blacks on an unqual playing field, now. One example out of many,Blacks could not join the National Guard in some southern states,Alabama, for one, until the mid 70’s which provided those who could join an opportunity for their kids to go to a state school either free or at lower tuition. Let me connect the dots for U, Blacks were denied a chance at this type of higher education until last 10 years or so b/c Blacks could not join until the 70s so there would not have been any Black offspring to take advantage of the educational opportunity until the 90s, when Black kid would be ready for college. Whites benefit now economically and socially based on their ancestors’ racism. Of course U do not feel guilty but U should recognize that the current unequal playing field for Blacks and the higher positive numbers for whites in economics, etc is based on the benefit Whites “inherit” from their ancestors’ oppression of Blacks.
By CNSYD on November 20th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Justice for all, Hell I am disadvantaged because the Walton family has all this money that my family doesn’t have. I think we need to take all the wealth and put it in a big pile and redistribute it equally to all. Think that is what we ought to do? Been reading Das Kapital lately?
By K Trane on November 20th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Could be your best article I’ve ever read…
By OhNoNotAgain on November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I don’t know how many abortions have been committed in America since Roe Vs. Wade. But I don’t think it’s 10s of million a day, or a year.
That might be cumulative.
No way you put that on Obama. It’s insane.
CNYSD, I don’t get your drift. Just don’t. How do you think an Islamic militant would respond to the remark? Why would an Islamic militant care about such a remark. He/she wants to kill us. Do you think the remark would give him/her some kind of motivation he doesn’t already have or need?
By Statesman on November 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 am
FITS, good article. Well put. I don’t always agree with you, but this was on target. Too bad there are so many right and left winger’s leaving comments.
By Wayne Carlson on November 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
The Union was formed by the voluntary agreement of the States; and these, in uniting together, have not forfeited their Nationality, nor have they been reduced to the condition of one and the same people. If one of the States chose to withdraw its name from the contract, it would be difficult to disprove its right of doing so…
–Alex de Tocqueville
The point of the article is that unless our people recapture and reinstitute the principles upon which our freedoms and prosperity were based, the arguments over the meanings of flags is a waste of time. It is all a distraction we can ill afford in the struggle for freedom from a growing “Statism” that destroys liberty and will leave us no better than those living under other totalitarian/authoritarian regimes. Educate thyself!
By CNSYD on November 22nd, 2009 at 9:31 am
OhNoNotAgain, I would have thought my comment was self evident. Obama does not have to have “gas chambers”. The point was that those innocents killed as collateral damage are just as dead as those in gas chambers. AS much as you believe Obama is as pure as the driven snow, he is after all the commander-in-chief which means he has ultimate responsibility for the actions of all who serve under him.
By Liberty For Me on November 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
CNSYD…..You are so crazy.If Obama is Hitler why does he not have a little mustache or a red arm band??? Answer that smarty pants.
By CNSYD on November 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
LFM, a complete misunderstanding of what I said. But for you that is normal. Obama is no more Hitler than Bush 2 was. The point is, again, if you are dead as a direct result of actions performed under their watch, you are just as dead as any one that Hitler sent to a gas chamber.
By Liberty For Me on November 23rd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Please…I was being sarcastic about the previous idiot…..I agree with you
By John on December 10th, 2009 at 12:33 am
This is just what I am talking about. It is not the St. Andrews Cross the Klan officially uses. It uses the United States flag. It should too. That is the flag that brought slaves to this great nation. Not the St. Andrews cross. It never was on a slave ship. It has been misused by some White Supremest, but without the permission of those who promised to keep it in our Southern History. That is all we ask. It is our Heritage and no hate group has permission nor do the Sons of Confederate Vetrans condone it to be used in that way. It is a Flag that men, women, children both white and black folks died trying to defend it. It represents on it’s St. Andrews the 13 seceded states that wanted to severe ties with a tyranical Government that was keeping the South poor and the Norht prosporous. It is still evident today in the South. We are the poorest part of the Country and we have more black folk living with us than many Northern States and we grew up together and never did have a race issue as a whole of the people of the South. A hate group grew in the South and now the whole of the Southern States which fought for that flag are being told it is a racist flag. Nothing could be further from the truth. History is History and you will never erace that unless we become a Nazi type of Government. We Southerners will forever fight against oppression of any type.