Was this the right thing to do?

2015-07-09T02:31:41-04:00

SC House votes to remove Confederate flag http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/09/us/south-carolina-confederate-battle-flag/index.html

S.C. governor signs bill to lower the Confederate flag - CNN.com

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signs the bill authorizing removal of the Confederate battle flag from State House grounds.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 3:01 AM

2015-07-09T03:01:36-04:00

personally I feel that this a direct result of the attack at the church that happened a little while ago. though it was a terrible act and done out of hate and racism they are trying to remove what they perceive is a symbol of that hate. I dont think the flag being removed does anything at all except show they are giving the appearance that they are trying to do something. the reason I say this is because if they felt so strongly that the flag represents racism then why was is being flown all this time?

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 9 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-07-09T09:45:14-04:00

I think that the flag on private property is the "proper" use and is the right of the property owner. The use on public buildings should not be permitted.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jul 9 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-07-09T10:21:58-04:00

I think it was the right thing to do so long as they do not try and ban the flag from the graves of CSA soldiers as well. Then the line of free speech has been crossed and the families of the fallen will be deeply offended and likely do it any way. A grave marker is deeply personal and should be left to the loved ones to tend even after hundred plus years.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 9 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-07-09T10:57:56-04:00

1962 — The Confederate flag is raised over the Statehouse to commemorate the Civil War centennial. The resolution calling for this doesn’t specify when the flag will come down.

if you take it down - take it down for the right reason. i do not have a problem with the removal of the flag...its the rest of country wanting to remove any and all civil war monuments. If i recall most monuments are funded by the people. I know I have given a lot of money to Veteran monuments etc. If you remove a monument that was paid for by the people - do the people get the money returned?

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jul 9 at 2015 11:35 AM

2015-07-09T11:35:27-04:00

In Historical sense, the flag did not belong there. It was the Battle flag for Confederate regiments from Virginia, and Tennessee, along with the second Navel Jack of the Confederate Navy. Historically it didn't make sense.

I am for honoring the fallen of the Civil War. BOTH sides deserve respect in that matter. The Southern cause of War was wrong, but men and women still died defending their homes and lives. We need to continue to honor all veterans who gave that ultimate sacrifice. In doing so we also need to keep the History of the Civil war and all wars alive, so we can examine our trespasses as the human race, learn from our mistakes, and strive to make the future better then the past.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jul 9 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-07-09T13:54:28-04:00

Personally I think it's letting the bigots win. According to the article, this most recent round of debate, is a reaction to Pictures of Dylann Roof (who committed an act of terrorism, killing 9 people in church) holding the flag. The flag wasn't a symbol of racism until the KKK started carrying it around in the 1950's and 60's (they were also carrying around crosses, but nobody seems to mind that).

So this just becomes another issue that divides us. I have close friends that are a different race, but my automatic reaction is not color blind. The next generation (my son) IS color blind NOW, his football team represents every race, and they are the best of friends, they all listen to the same mix of music and enjoy the same movies... but I can almost guarantee that in the fall when school starts up if this debate is still raging some redneck punk is going to show up at school with "the stars and bars" flying from the back of his pickup truck, a fight will break out and my son's group of friends will be asked to pick sides by racists on both sides.

I hope they recognize it for what it is and back EACH OTHER up, and call the racists (who are most likely just parroting the stupidity of their parents and grandparents) what they are. I HOPE that the experience of being hated just because they LOOK different doesn't teach them to be wary of ALL people that look different. I hope I've built the "muscle memory" in him well enough be able to judge people AUTOMATICALLY "Not on the color of their skin, but the content of their character."

I hope the next generation is able to overcome the sins of the last.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 4:40 PM

2015-07-09T16:40:14-04:00

Hi, Sergeant Jones.

Despite being born in the South, that was never my flag. I honor only one. That it’s flying on government property seems wrong. That flag hasn’t mattered in over 150 years other than in history. If we fly it as a matter of heritage, why not fly the British Union Jack or the French Tri-Coleur? It’s a state issue, if the state wants to fly it over their buildings with the approval of the people, so be it. But to take it down, or to cancel Dukes of Hazard reruns, in sudden fear or loathing because Dylann Roof waved it and killed people (which is horrific, don’t think I’m minimalizing his crime) is to memorialize what he did.

Roof did this. He caused this sudden growth in hate. By concentrating on the issue of a flag, we’ve immortalized him.