Confederate flag

Should an unrecogonized "rebel" flag be allowed to be flown above American Government buildings.

Published on November 6, 2004 By Dysmas In Blogging

At the onset of the Civil War, those states that decided to leave the Union created their own flag, primarily based on the British flag, but unique nontheless. This "nation" was never officially validated by any country and particularly our own.
A look at history indicates that whenever a nation suffers a civil war, the defeated side is never allowed to display it's flag anywhere, and it is unthinkable to fly that flag over a Government Building.
Not withstanding some people's insistance that the "rebel" flag is offensive, a completly subjective opinion, nevertheless it is a defeated "nation's" flag. Why then should it be allowed to fly on official grounds?
To display that states history? If that were the case then they certinaly would be British flags flying around, since we were founded by the English. Not to mention, some states, such as New York would dispaly it's history in recieving immagrints into this country. Irish, Itallian, Chinese etc.
As for civil war monuments I think that they should stand, not as a symbol of a defeated rebelion, but in honor of those who died in that rebellion, they were americans nontheless. They were also our family, often litteraly.
I live on Fort Cambell, KY and one of this areas greates attractions is Civil War monuments. There is even a monument to the "President" of the confederacy, Jefferson Davis. That is ok, but to declare him "President" is, in a sense validating his role in an actual, offical country.
It seems odd to me. I am not from the south, obviously, and have spoken to many of my friends on this issue and they become very defensive saying that they should've won the war, and that the "south will rise again" and so on.
This issue seems to be subtly tearing our nation's identiy apart.
Just my thoughts on the issue.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Nov 06, 2004

First, to set somethings straight. The South Seceeded. As was their right. Lincoln started the Civil war by not allowing them to. And I am glad he did. We would not be the great nation we are today if the secession would have stood.

Second, the 'flag' that is being tarred and feathered was not the flag of the CSA. It was the Battle flag. The actual flag was too close to the stars and bars, so they created a Battle flag. It was never the flag of the CSA.

That being said, I agree, it should not be displayed in any government way. Tell that to fritz Hollings and Robert Byrd. Seems they are the ones so concerned since they were the ones who raised them. Which is kind of funny since WVA was never part of the confederacy. It was formed by 50 counties that seceeded from VA at the start of the war. And then made a state, illegally according to the Constitution, by the federal government after the war.

I do own a CSA flag, as I also own a USSR flag. I do not fly them, but I own them for their historical significance. I collect dead flags! BTW: I got the USSR flag from Moscow! They liked to sell them to the decadent west!

I do fly my American Flag, and glad to do it!

philomedy

on Nov 06, 2004

In no way, shape or form should the Confederate flag be allowed to fly above federal buildings. It is not only a monument to slavery, but far worse than that, it is a symbol of treasonous times.

Dysmas

on Nov 06, 2004

Dr. Guy:
Yes the south seceeded from the Union, I tried to put id a different way but I guess the correct way is the best as it puts the issue in accurate, historical context.
President Lincoln started the war after, I believe, he tried to negotiate with the "rebel" states, I could be wrong though.
I view at as the Confederates who started the war, albeit by proxy, by secceding the Union even though it was thier right.
Arguably Lincoln would not have sent federal troops to suppres the rebelion had it not happened. I place the blame on both sides actually.
I admire your preference for historical objects, and am amazed, actually, that the USSR would seel their flag to the US as they opposed us in virtually every aspect, but it just goes to show you the power of money over a nations ideologys.

Philomedy:
Im not to sure if thd Confederate flage is a monument to slavery. The main reson the south secceded was because the felt that thier state's rights were being infringed upon by the Union. Slavery was a part, a signifigant part of the reason for the war but was not the primary one, which as I said, was state vs federal issues.
There are many issues as to what lead up to and actually caused the Civil War and the crime of slavery was but one of them, although in my opinion it was by far the worst issue of them all.

Take, if you will, the recent actions of the ACLU by banning and lobbying against religious symbols, mainly Christian symbols so far, on Official, county and state seals.
They claim it is "offensive" to those who do not agree or follow that which, in this case, the cross symbolizes.
It is offensive, and on an Official Seal and so should come off. A Government shouldn't impose its beliefs on anyone. ( local, state, or federal)
Yet many southern states fly the Confederate flag which is offensive to many people, not the least of which are the black citizens who live and work in the area, and every time they look at the flag they are reminded of the horrid past this nation, and that region specificly, were in.

I would imagine if I were a black man, I just might be offended by seeing that flag fly above a building in which laws are enforced and protected in my state. Its a sublte reminder of what that state did, and why the did it.
Again, I have no idea if this made any sense but I hope the idea came across?
lol

philomedy

on Nov 06, 2004

Yeah, i wasnt clear in my original reply.

I didn't mean to say that the confederate flag was synonymous with slavery. The confederate flag does bring up thoughts of the civil war, though, and the civil war brings up thoughts of slavery. it is not that these three things are mutually exclusive, it is just that the confederate flag/slavery connection is the one that has stuck after all these years.

Dysmas

on Nov 06, 2004

Completly true, and I think that connection will remain forever.
I am puzzled though, as to why there isnt more of a national concern about the issue, one way or the other. I dunno, we Americans tend to be short term memory oriented and the media keeps us caught up in the moment....with whatever is happening at that moment.
Crazy world.

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