Posted on Jun 19, 2015
SGM Matthew Quick
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For many 'southern leaders', its secession remains...can't claim unification when these things continue.

In the hours after the massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, American and South Carolina flags across that state dipped to half-staff in honor of the nine killed.

But the Confederate battle flag that sits on the grounds of the capitol in Columbia was left untouched.

The Charleston Post and Courier explained:

Officials said the reason why the flag has not been touched is that its status is outlined, by law, as being under the protected purview of the full S.C. Legislature, which controls if and when it comes down.

State law reads, in part, the state “shall ensure that the flags authorized above shall be placed at all times as directed in this section and shall replace the flags at appropriate intervals as may be necessary due to wear.”
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I think that is far more likely that it was simply forgotten about. The odds that they thought to lower the Confederate Battle Flag and some busybody looked up an obscure statute like that and said "no" are infinitessimally small.
I would bet that there are individuals responsible for the flags on government buildings, and a different department responsible for the grounds, state parks, etc.
Also likely is that it gets fixed today.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
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Optimism is a good trait...I would like to believe this.
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SGT Greg Tibbles
SGT Greg Tibbles
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I used to think I was optimistic until I married a black girl. Then after seeing how she has been treated because we're together, I now realize that I was just naive.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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Where are you located, SGT Greg Tibbles?
I'm curious. Did you perceive the treatment to be hostile more from Caucasians or African-Americans?
I am very sorry that in this day and age you and your wife have to endure that kind of bullshit.
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SSgt Robert Simonds
SSgt Robert Simonds
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1SG (Join to see) - I understand exactly what he is saying. Years ago it was not a practice as it is today. If you married someone from a different race neither side excepted you. It made their life a living hell. as a child I lived in a Black community for two years and never had a person talk to me because of my color.
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COL Charles Williams
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I agree... As a kid from NJ (NY Metro Area) this flag has nothing to do with heritage to me, it is all about hatred. I am not happy they let kids in the school I work in wear it openly.
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CPO Joseph Grant
CPO Joseph Grant
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It all comes down to what part of the country you're from. If you're from the North then you see it as a symbol of racism. If you're from the South, you'll likely think of the Northern armies invading, occupying and destroying your ancestors land. Remember, the issue of whether or not a state could freely secede from a union freely joined wasn't settled until after the civil war, and then by Northern judges. When our country was first created, north and south were two very different societies and many wondered if the two would remain together.
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COL Charles Williams
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SSG Signal Support Systems Specialist
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I disagree because I was born and raised in the south. South Carolina in fact and I've always seen that flag as a symbol of hate I equate it to the German Swastika.
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SFC Stephen King
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Well it's time for South Carolina to reevaluate and propose a change to this law.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
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Leadership starts at the top! Strong leaders need to do what's RIGHT, not what's popular at the time.
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SSgt Robert Simonds
SSgt Robert Simonds
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It is just one of those things in history if completely removed eliminates that part of our history something I don't believe in. America has had many ups and downs. things like that flag reminds us of an time we don't want repeated.
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