just curios what comes to mind when you see this??

Hog

the Dukes of Hazzard

A division of the United States. A band of states that wanted to succeed from the Union to form their own country.

Some(and I can understand why)see this flag as a monument to racial hatred. Others see this as their heritage.

If people want to wave it around, it only makes them look stupid because they truly don't understand the meaning it takes. This nation will not be torn apart.

The symbol of rednecks.

Dukes of Hasbeen, definetly.

Racial hatred? Nope, not in the least.
MY belief is the people who say its a racial symbol are just using it as something else to complain about.

RDC...right,

That's why the KKK flies this flag alongside it's own banner. Yeah, I can see why you don't get it now!

Madd, here is a quarter, now go buy a clue.

The KKK knows that flag infuriates a segment of the population. That is why they fly it. If it did not bother anybody do you really think the KKK would fly the flag?

You're a narrow-minded individual. Go back and read what I wrote at first. Now, if you're saying you can't understand why people think it stands for racial hatered, then that would make you a moron too!

Using your own words..."The KKK knows that flag infuriates a segment of the population. That is why they fly it. If it did not bother anybody do you really think the KKK would fly the flag?" only proves my point of view.

Save your quarter and buy an education!

Many groups who promote hate and provoke and infuriate others use symbols to do this. This one of seven flags the Confederacy flew has been a major part of some people's agenda. When groups like the KKK and others well-known for their idiotic diatribes about racial separation, etc. use the flag of the Confederacy to support their cause, I put their cause under the appropriate scrutiny.

However, the War between the States is part of our country's history and so is that flag. It is unfortunate that some misguided individuals use it in a negative fashion. If South Carolina continues to fly it from the capitol statehouse, so be it. No one there politically is saying let's go back to a 'simpler time.' Everybody knows it strikes a nerve among blacks and whites when they see the StarsnBars. Many blacks see it as a continued symbol of oppression and hatred; some whites see it as history and heritage.

What is truly unfortunate is the revisionist history going on in our society and the fact we ignore what has gotten us into the polarization of the the black and white races - it ain't over a flag. We definitely have bigger issues than that...

It is the former flag of the Confederacy. That's all. It is the former flag of a conquered rebbellion and not really intended as the symbol of anything more.

The Civil War and the flag of the Confederacy was not flown to show hatred of black people in the days of the Civil War. Slavery was just one of the issues of the Civil War and a partial component of what it was about.

Frankly, my opinion is, since it was the flag of a conquered rebellion, it should be considered illegal to fly that flag for that reason only.

Only lately and intentionally, it was used as a symbol of hatred. Just as a swastika is used. People should be careful of the context of how this flag is flown.

So, do dreadlocks make one a dope smoking Rastafarian? Does the African flag make one an African National? Does putting a number on your car make your car a race car? Does a pot belly, long hair and a beat up pick up truck make one a redneck?

Nope. Just signs and symbols. They are only as dangerous as your interpretation.

Rayder speaks with a wise tongue. Truthfully, the vast majority of individuals who fly this flag are trying to make their predjudice intentions be known. However, there are some who take it to heart as a symbol of their southern heritage. The debate over the negative sentiments it carries for certain ethnic groups will forever be unresolved......what irritates the hell out of me is how the both sides of the argument do NOT have any idea of the TRUE circumstances surrounding it. And, for the unknowing, the Civil War was not about abolishing slavery in and of itself. Rather, it was a war centered around fiscal issues (most of which involved slavery as a commodity) that neither side could resolve.....not to "free slaves". When I hear certain individuals bemoan their "ancestors " plight due to slavery, I want to vomit.....what were their names? what hard-ships did they face(and there are many)? What part of the south were they from????? If you REALLY care about them (ancestors), then do them the honor of researching their experiences!

Rayder pretty much says it all. X

Dr MaddVibe,

The KKK also uses the cross as a symbol during their rallys. Does that mean the cross is a symbol of racial hatred?

(please note that this post is not meant to promote or defend the KKK in any way shape or form.)

The Inquisition? NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!!

It was a Southern Battle Flag of the Confederacy. I look at it as part of the Southern Heritage, nothing more! Too bad it has been prostitued over the years and degraded by the rednecks and skin heads of the KKK and other such organizaitons! No, it should not be flown over State Capitol buildings! It is too bad that something like this has become a symbol of hatred or viewed as such!

Charlie

Pla, borrow RDC's quarter.

I agree with Charlie, Southern Battle Flag.

Regards,

B

Charlie and B are right in there thinking
Confederate Battle (Square) AKA "Southern Cross"

Confusion was caused by the commanders not being able to distinguish their troops from those of the enemy and adding to these difficulties was the fact that the "Stars and Bars" was so similar to the "Stars and Stripes" . General Beauregard was determined to remedy the flag problem, he attempted to have the Confederate flag changed but Congressman William Porcher Miles suggested that the army adopt its own distinctive battle flag, and recommended the design he had presented to the Congress as the Confederate Flag on March 4, 1861. This flag was agreed upon but it was recommended that it would be more convenient and lighter as well as less likely to be tore by bayonets or tree branches if made square. This flag was issued in different sizes; 48 inches square for the infantry, 36 inches for the artillery, and 30 inches for the cavalry. Other flags such as State regimental colors were used by the Confederacy on the battlefield, but the Battle Flag, although it was never officially recognized by the Confederate government, came to represent the Southern "cause" to most people.

it is a piece of History... and it is a shame that many groups KKK Neo Nazi and the like... want to use this in Demonstrations against other people and there beliefs... I do not think it should be removed... simply because it does not represent Slavery as Raydar pointed out....it is a shame that our society nowadays do not know any better then to think this is a symbol of Hatered...to think the Schools and the simple minded teachers could tech what is real instead of what they feel it aught to be
here's a good artical to go along with this
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18621-2003Feb16.html 

these men didn't forget there heritage and if you ask them I bet they know more about that flag then many on this board do....

Enjoy!!
Hog

My great, great, great grandfather was a delegate to to the South Carolina successionist convention.
While doing geaneology research, I came across several letters he wrote home to his wife in Anderson SC discussing the pros and cons of the debate. Nowhere does he mention slavery although States rights were a preemeniant concern. He was also a wealthy landowner who owned upwards of 60 slaves. I never got the impression from his writings that the loss of slavery was what worried him. He knew a war with the north was a real possability and with seven sons, he had a lot to loose. He signed the declaration just the same.
http://kiddercom.com/images/1stnatl.gif  that I have hanging from my porch. I look at it this way, The Battle flag was designed for the battlefield and should be left there with those honored dead. That war is over and I'm glad slavery is a thing of the past. The Flag of the Confederacy better serves the memory of the south IMHO.

It's a HUGE issues here in Georgia. I'm in Atlanta and some say that Sonny Purdue (first repub Gov in 130 years?) won due in part to the previous Governor changing the flag. There were signs all over rural GA with the battle flag and the caption "let us vote!".

It certainly seems to be a polarizing issue. I for one don't see/understand all of the passion on EITHER side of the issue. It's a flag people!! Get a hobby (not you folks, that's more to the people of GA in general). However, living outside a major metropolitan area, there is one huge advantage... If you receive a jury summons, you show up at the courthouse wearing a tee shirt with a battle flag and the caption "Changing Our Flag Won't Fly" emblazoned across it. Due to the demographics, statistically it tends to disqualify you as a prospective juror...