If it's there money and you don't have to pay for anything. Forget !! Turn the other way, as a matter of fact watch the road I might be on it.

neverabridesmaid - 20 January 2008 04:48 PM

I guess by now most folks have heard about the giant Confederate flag which will be erected in South Mobile County, in a location where countless people - local and visitors - will see it as they pass by. I don't understand people who deliberately do things that they know will be divisive and generate negative feelings and rationalize it as being a part of our heritage that needs to be constantly in people's faces.

There are reasons that people in other states still harbor the misconception that Alabamians are ignorant racists, and this is one of them.

-nab

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1200737719323990.xml&coll=3

(snip)

The local Sons of Confederate Veterans plan to install a 12-foot-by-18-foot Confederate Battle Flag on an 80-foot pole built close to the eastbound side of Interstate 10 in south Mobile County.

Ben George, SCV commander of the Lee-Moses-Dixon Vindicator Camp in Saraland, said that the flag installation -- which includes two light poles with 2,000-watt halogen lamps -- cost between $15,000 and $20,000, which was raised largely through contributions.

George said the flag will be on private property, but he would not say who owned the property.

The project has been in development for more than a year, said George, whose organization is scheduled to dedicate the flag at 1 p.m. today to mark the 201st birthday of Robert E. Lee.

Confederate history, George said, is "part of the gumbo that refers to the diversity of Mobile. This is one part of that diversity that's not getting the proper respect."

Clarence Mohr, professor of history at the University of South Alabama and author of books and academic papers on Southern history, including the Civil War, said he believes that the flag will repel and polarize rather than attract.

"It's time that Alabamians realize we live in a global community," Mohr said. "If we are to be full participants in a society in which everything is interconnected, we need to step away from symbols that invoke a narrow and backward-looking view of the Southern past.

"There's no doubt in my mind that the overwhelming majority of Alabamians, black and white, understand that the Civil War is over, and the time has come to move on.

"If we want to attract businesses like ThyssenKrupp and other businesses, if we want the port of Mobile to realize its full potential, we want to show the positive, not negatives of our history.

"A giant Confederate battle flag will do little to enhance the state's image in the eyes of tourists or investors."

The county's only black commissioner, Merceria Ludgood, who represents District 1, said of the SCV's flag project: "It's certainly their right to do it," but "they're out-of-step in where people are in this issue.

"My district is very diverse, some parts rural. People are looking for the things that we have in common and embracing those things, rather than (those that) divide us.

"I think it takes us backward." In response to the commonly used maxim about Confederate history, "heritage, not hate," Mohr said, "It's impossible at this point to disentangle the Confederate flag from the many negative causes it's been associated with since the Civil War, especially states' rights, resistance to the civil rights movement, and frequent displays of the Confederate flag at neo-Nazi rallies and Klan rallies.

"It appears consistently in these settings, and there's no use pretending it doesn't."

(snip)

It is just a flag you guys, stop being little babies about it. I don't get all offended when I see something that says "Black Power" or anything. But that goes without saying that I am not a racist. It is just freedom of speech, and if one side can show heritage, then let the other side do it too, even if it does seem wrong. That is why we live in America you political correctness freaks.

Okay, if the flag bothers you then stop having black history month, the all black beauty pageants, BETA TV, ebony club, etc because you do get my point.

I do not hear one of you crying about the American flag which was ALSO flown by the KKK. Just because the KKK used that flag for hatred does not mean it represents hatred. You know you will not get away with attacking the American flag so you pick on the battle flag. Get over it.

Also, Black Panthers are still alive and well to this day. If you want to stop racism, start with your own doorstep and stop complaining about every little thing because you only represent a small percentage of blacks when you post stuff like this.

Why don't you try to get the NAACP to step in and rally around the black youth to stop robbing and killing each other? Do you even read the news about what is happening to your race? The black race is killing each other.

You are totally right Lindie, but watch out or the NAACP will be picketing around your house calling you a racist if you keep on.

I will sic Bill Cosby on them because he has said this from the beginning.

Well if Bill Cosby said it then they must listen.

Its funny, everyone is so upset about this flag flying...but yet, the City of Mobile service trucks have this very same flag on the emblems on the tthier doors...and there are blacks driving those same trucks...seemignly without problems over it..look at one next time you pass a city truck on the street.

Also, if anyone checked, this flag was only 1 of 183 different confederate battle flags used..and it also graced the Naval flag..it had nothing to do with slavery at the time.

And one more thing, Lincoln gave the flag to the freed slaves (of the north), so technically speaking if your ancestors were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation (only those slaves in the north), then it is your flag, so people flying it are supporting you!