The Confederate Flag

[migrendel]

Why in heaven's name would you want that at your state capitol? Whenever they gaze onto the lawn, a quarter of South Carolina's citizens are reminded that they are still second class citizens in the minds of many. If any state professes to value its residents and treat them as equals, it cannot maintain such a deeply offensive anachronism. I also do not buy this historical argument. The swastika is a historical symbol. The flag of the Crusaders is historical. But no one would support keeping them in a prominent place, because no one would be so disrespectful of the rightfully held feelings of Jews and Muslims.

I also find your "homeland" argument ridiculous, StatesRights. Your homeland is the United States of America, one nation indivisible where all men are created equal, not the Confederacy. You cannot deny that your alleged homeland was created to perpetuate the most grievous wrong that ever happened in this country, and glossing over that reveals more about your compassion than it does about our history.

Take it down. Its time has passed.

[migrendel]

Yes, blacks did fight for the Confederacy. They did so once the South realized it needed everyone it could get. Just like they also worked in your mines, picked your fields, and made your armaments.

Yes, my ancestors were abolitionists and Radical Republicans. And I am proud that they saw the profound stain upon our national conscience, and they worked to right it. I have no shame that they wore wool instead of cotton, pamphletized with a fervor, and were sometimes hanged by pro-slavery mobs. Remember "Bleeding Kansas"? I am proud that we abolished slavery, and were on the right side of history.

[migrendel]

Not necessarily a racist, but one who has cast an aspersion on the fine state you live in, supersoulty.

I am also baffled by your omnipresent use of the word "elitist". I do not understand it. Fighting for equality of all citizens is the ultimate in humility and denial of self-importance. But you need your label. You have labeled those who have fought for freedom of decision and freedom of love, and those who have tried to foster camaraderie among all people such. If being humble is the alternative, than we in our allegedly cloistered, narrow-minded Yankee ways take pride in our elitism.

Two questions: Why do you use that word? Do you agree that it was correct to abolish slavery?

[migrendel]

I believe that most pro-life people do what they sincerely think is right, and have the best of intentions, but I do not see how anyone could be described as supportive of women's rights if they cannot support the foundation of her liberty, the right to govern her fertility.