Well I guess many of you do not remember that the Confederate States of America, whom that flag represents, went to war with the United States in order to cecede from said United States of America. They wanted to defend their way of life, part of which was slavery. That was not the only reason, but a large part of it.
If this symbol could be somehow seperated from its racist/slavery component, I would have no issue with it - even the rebellious symbolism that a portion of it represents. Our second ammendment right is being infringed upon daily, and I myself am appalled at what I see from the lawmakers here in California (the reason we have a second ammendment is to prevent the gov. from removing our rights). Yet perception is reality as we all know, and most people do not have a clue about what this symbol represents to those that choose to utilize it. Perhaps they will educate the rest of us???
I have nothing against any one being proud of where they are from, but for being proud of and displaying a symbol of a lifestyle I can not condone (and I am NOT alone in that) I will take issue with. As I said, educate me that it is NOT as I perceive.
Heretic,
I did not say you could not fly whatever flag you want, nor anyone else. Yep, we have that freedom of speech thing here in the U.S. I even served to defend that right for EVERYONE in the U.S., whether I agree with their point of view or not! I said I hoped no one would want to do so...(because of what that symbol represented for a culture to me, and many like me). I also have a choice about with whom I associate.
Killer,
I know they are not being disrespectful to the North, and that has nothing to do with it. It is the issues I raised above, and yes racism is still quite evident in the South (but not only, mind you!).
BTW, I am from the United States of America, not the North or the South. I have lived in both for extended periods of time and never considered myself associated with one or the other, just the USA.
One other little tidbit - what most of you call the stars and bars is not the actual stars and bars. It is the Beauregard Battle Flag...
Tell me who amongst y'all would not be offended by myself wanting a Nazi flag next to my name, especially with my German heritage!!!
________________
Steel
aka. Helmut Fritz
Stop, Look, and Listen