No Graduation Walk for Confederate Flag-Wavers

Breitbart/WCCO ^ | 6/5/08 | Lisa Kiava

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

What do you mean by that?

[thulldud]

Why do you ask? You seem not to be particularly interested in what I have to say, and I do have other fish to fry.

Btw, Ann Coulter had an observation which I found particularly intriguing. In one of her books, she described the South as "America's warrior class." I can see how she might arrive at such a conclusion. It's probably why the leftists hate the Marines so intemperately. Ideology is not enough -- for real rancor you gotta add in some good ol' regional snobbery.

[usmcobra]

Actually I prefer to think of it as the time when The Democrats chose to secede from the country because they lost the election,

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

I don't know why you get the impression that I'm not interested. You said “Not by my vote”, and I was curious what you meant by that. I was just raising the point that I don't understand why Southerners have such hostility towards the Federal government when their states are among the biggest recipients of its money.

Also, we've gotten sidetracked from the original topic. Whatever significance the CBF may have in the South, what does this have to do with suburban teenagers in Minnesota? These kids didn't seem like the sharpest knives in the drawer from the video. I have no doubt that they were merely trying to cause a stir. Do you disagree with that?

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

Also, I can't stand Ann Coulter. She intentionally makes outrageous statements just to get press. She'd rather resort to mudslinging than an intelligent discussion of the issues. She does much to advance her book sales, but little to advance the conservative cause.

[timm22]

I know this area, having grown up one town away, and I’m willing to bet these kids were trying to start trouble. This makes me less sympathetic, but I’m still not sure if the school really had the right to do this. It’s a tricky issue.

Even if the school had the right to deny these boys a graduation walk, I don't think it was a prudent or fair thing to do.

As I understand the story, the boys simply had the flag on their truck(s?). While that would not (and did not) escape notice, I don't think it's nearly as disruptive as waving the flag around inside the classroom, or wearing a t-shirt with the flag and some inflammatory slogan.

The flag is controversial. But it is also cherished by a lot of people in this country for reasons that are not always sinister. Even if we are going to ban certain symbols from school parking lots, I don't think the Confederate battle flag needs to be one of them.

IMO an appropriate response by the principal could have been to take down the flag, summon the boys to the office, and explain why it was removed and how other students felt about it. Maybe even some kind of suspension or detention would have been appropriate.

But I don't think their misdeeds, however stupid, were enough to warrant denying them participation in the graduation ceremony.

[NucSubs]

Lets hope so. They send the same message.

For what it’s worth, while I hate that flag, I definitely support their rights to fly it and think this is more asinine, PC insanity.

[NucSubs]

Excellent comparison.

[NucSubs]

No, but all the kids at the school could. That would be more relevant and effective.

[NucSubs]

Good points...as long as they are consistent. I don’t think they would be so quick to suspend kids who flew other similar symbols.

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

Even if the school had the right to deny these boys a graduation walk, I don't think it was a prudent or fair thing to do.

Yeah, the punishment may not have been fair, though I know I would've gotten suspended for that in high school, and that was almost 20 years ago in a lily-white suburb. Unlike Bloomington, Edina is still pretty much all white.

As I understand the story, the boys simply had the flag on their truck(s?). While that would not (and did not) escape notice, I don't think it's nearly as disruptive as waving the flag around inside the classroom, or wearing a t-shirt with the flag and some inflammatory slogan.

I agree.

The flag is controversial. But it is also cherished by a lot of people in this country for reasons that are not always sinister. Even if we are going to ban certain symbols from school parking lots, I don't think the Confederate battle flag needs to be one of them.

There's been a lot of debate, on this thread and others, as to the merit of displaying the Confederate flag. However, I still maintain these kids do not have any good, thought-out reason. Also, I'm really not sure if they do have the right to ban it. It's a big grey area.

[NucSubs]

I find it offensive as it's the flag of a country that for its entire existence was an enemy of the United States of America. I find it treasonous, and am perplexed why so many supposed conservatives glorify it.

You and me both pal. You and me both. In the dictionary under cognitive dissonance they should show a picture of some guy who has the Battle Flag and the Stars and Stripes hanging from the same porch.

But I 100% support their right to fly it - especially on private property or as a deal on a truck, even if that truck is in a school lot.

[NucSubs]

Few people get as screamed at on these threads as I do for my utter contempt for the Confederacy as an organization.

You should see some of the posts I've endured in the past.

Or, stick around. I'm sure the perpetually aggrieved will be here shortly to insult us all.

:-)

[NucSubs]

Make that trio.

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

I'm sure the perpetually aggrieved will be here shortly to insult us all.

Speaking of which, where's that nut "stand watie"? He/she's usually all over any Confederate flag realted thread.

FREE DIXIE!!!

[TommyDale]

"Lets hope so. They send the same message."

I beg to differ with you on that one. The Confederate Flag is flown by Americans in honor of their ancestors. It is NOT a symbol of racism or white supremacy to anyone except those who choose to believe that. I have an office full of various memorabilia and collectors items from the War Between The States from both the Union and the Confederate Armies. The State of North Carolina actually has had 5 flags that included the Confederate Flag incorporated. I display them proudly as part of our history and heritage, not because I am a racist, which I am most certainly not.

[NucSubs]

Wait.

[TommyDale]

"With the exceptions of Texas and Florida (barely), every state in the South is a net drain on the Federal budget"

Next time you use your broadband internet connection or digital cable, thank a Southerner for the fiber optic cable you are using. Also, when you see the anti-missile shield, the F-22 and the F-35 aircraft protecting all of us, thank Southerners for that too. What has Minnesota given us besides Scotch Tape?

[NucSubs]

Further elaboration.

I do not mean to suggest that you personally are racist.

Racism/supremacist/slavery issues are only half the problem for me and that is what I meant when I said they represent the same think.

[NucSubs]

I apologize. Posting problems today.

My first response to you was discarded for some reason and therefore my second might not make any sense (plus I had some typos).

I’ll try again.

First: You are entitled to your opinion. I disagree 100%. There really is no point in arguing however. I have been down this road numerous times in the last two decades and there simply is no reconciliation possible. Only time and demographics will solve this.

Second:

Further elaboration.

I do not mean to suggest that you personally are racist.

In addition, racism/supremacist/slavery issues are only half the problem for me anyway and that is what I meant when I said they represent the same think.

Sorry for the confusion in my postings.