At the top of this article, you can see the two primary flags associated with the Confederate States of America. These flags have, as you may have heard, been the subject of some controversy over the years. Some people think the flags should be flown by various offical groups as a sign of Southern heritage. Others decry them as a symbol of racism.
As for me, I take a somewhat different view. I think both sides in the debate have valid points. I think, however, that the flags should not be flown by any governments in the United States. Why?
It’s pretty simple, really. The flags represent, to me, an enemy nation. A country that fought against the USA in an unsuccessful attempt to break up the Union. Now, I happen to think they should’ve been allowed to go their own way and form their own nation. But they weren’t, they fought a war against us, and they lost.
Due to the fact that the flags were those of an enemy country, I don’t think they should be flown in US territory by any offices of governance. To me it would be like the flag of the United Kingdom flying over the White House. Or the flag of Nazi Germany flying over the Supreme Court. Or, here’s a fun one, the flag of Japan flying over Pearl Harbor. Certainly with the UK and Japanese flags we could make arguements about them being part of our shared history and importat symbols of the past. Nevertheless, they are flags from countries we fought (and beat), in wars.
I’m not blind to the past, and I understand if people want to privately fly these flags in, say, their front yards or whatever. I do, however, think that no government in the USA should fly any flags other than their national, state and local flags (and yes, I know some state flags incorporate CSA images. Those need to change). If they do, it’s inappropriate.
February 18, 2008 at 12:48 am
States had a right to leave the Union. They also have a right to have whatever flag they wish to fly as a state flag.
Since the southern states are now a part of the United States what if we decide we object to flags of the northern states because they represent our enemies who were aggressors.
February 18, 2008 at 6:39 am
While I do agree that the states had a right to leave the Union, and that they have the right to fly whatever flags they want to, that doesn’t change the facts. The CSA lost the war. The country they are now a part of, and have been since the 1700’s with an exception of about five years, is the United States of America. As such, it is inappropriate for the flags of this former, enemy nation to fly over any government office in the USA. Please note: I’m not saying they don’t have the right to, just they shouldn’t.
February 19, 2008 at 2:32 pm
What did the battle flag cross represent that caused the Confederacy to choose it? It had a history before the Confederacy.
As a side to the argument of the state flags, I am beginning to think we should leave this union TODAY because of what Washington DC is doing against the wishes of the people.
Globalization will destroy us – the UN has perdicted that by 2050 we will be overwhelmed with immigrants from Africa, Asia and the middle east. Our Consitution is already being ignored and destroyed and surely Christianty cannot survive nor will our culture.
Vermont is attempting to leave the Union and is now in cahoots with Dixie Net. Dixie Net is seizing upon the liberation of Kosovo to demand that SC also be allowed its liberation. What do you make of all of this.
In another blog some foreign posters reminded me that we have a Consitution worth fighting for. It roused me to do something because we do have something here worth saving. I just don’t know what we can do in the face of the power of the corporate media.
March 15, 2009 at 9:51 pm
You are all under the mistaken belief that the CSA lost the War. You can’t have a loser until it is over – and it aint over.
Comprehende-Vous?
March 16, 2009 at 4:05 am
Well, let’s see here. I seem to recall the CSA signed a surrender document. I’d say that counts as losing and therefore the war is over. Glad to have cleared that up for you! If you need help with anything else, do let me know.