Saturday, September 16, 2017

Bill Crawford: The Church & The Flag

Former state GOP executive director, elected Republican official, and chief of staff to Kirk Fordice, Mississippi's first Republican Governor since Reconstruction, Andy Taggart has publicly challenged his party to step up and "lead the charge in finally removing from our state flag the representation of the Confederate battle flag."

Saying such a move "will make a strong, moral statement" acknowledging "our current state flag is divisive and hurtful to a significant number of our fellow Mississippians," Taggart joins Republican Speaker of the House Philip Gunn in taking a stand against the controversial flag.

"Changing the flag is the right thing to do," Speaker Gunn said last year. "We can deal with it now or leave for future generations to address. I believe our state needs to address it now."

Over a decade ago, another longtime Republican leader spoke out strongly on racism, retired Federal Judge Charles Pickering.

All active Baptists, these three leaders align with the moral approach against racism pursued by the Southern Baptist Convention. In its historic resolution on racial reconciliation adopted in 1995, Convention members resolved to "commit ourselves to be doers of the Word (James 1:22) by pursuing racial reconciliation in all our relationships, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 2:6), to the end that our light would so shine before others, that they may see (our) good works and glorify (our) Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)."

Last year, the Convention encouraged members to stop displaying the Confederate flag.

And this past June, the Convention called every form of racism "antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and resolved "we still must make progress in rooting out any remaining forms of intentional or unintentional racism in our midst."

Other denominations are taking stands too. For example, following the Charlottesville upheaval, a diverse group of ministers held an outdoor, public prayer gathering in Meridian. Their theme was "let's talk" and their goal was to get black and white to understand each other better and live together better. Among them was Dr. Rhett Payne, III, a Reformed theology pastor at predominantly white First Presbyterian Church in Meridian. Back in church, Dr. Payne preached on "Truth, Satan, The Christian Mind…and Racism," declaring racism as "offensive to God."

Recently, the Daily Journal's Bobby Harrison wrote an epic column on Southern heritage. In it he empathizes with the heritage sentiment of some flag supporters, noting there may have been people marching in Charlottesville "with pride and heritage in their heart, not hate."

"But," he continued, "it was difficult to find those in the midst of all those who were there with hate and bigotry in their hearts, waving not only Confederate battle flags, but Nazi swastikas. When the symbol is more identified with hate and bigotry, it is reasonable to argue that creates a problem for a government that still flies the emblem as part of its official banner as Mississippi does."

"The truth is that it might be too late to separate the banner from hate," Harrison concluded.

Taggart was lambasted in political blogs, but garnered some praise for putting morality ahead of heritage regarding the flag conflict.

Where there is faith, there is hope.


Crawford is syndicated columnist from Meridian (crawfolk@gmail.com)

68 comments:

Kim Wade said...

The anti floggers like Speaker Gunn, Andy Taggert, and this guy need to go the next step and move for the State to pay "reparations". Speaker Gunn is in the position to get the ball rolling.
Come on guys if you really feel bad and are sensitive to the pain the flag causes start cutting some checks.

I suspect they are just engaging in grandstanding moral preening.
Where's my check!
Where's my dang check!!!

Anonymous said...

The people voted on the flag. It wasn't even anywhere close. I can understand that some want to change the flag but the majority decided they like the flag the way it is.
Why should the majority of people in a state suffer because of the wants of a minority of it's citizens?

Anonymous said...

The majority favored succession and the majority favored Jim Crow laws and the majority opposed integration. History has not been kind to the majority in Mississippi. Won't be this time either.

Not to mention a large chuck of people that voted in the last flag vote lived in the days of segregation and are now dead. Put it on the ballot again and see.

Anonymous said...

First, nowhere in the U.S. (other than Miss.)have state flags been the subject of popular votes. It just should not be a popularity contest. It was done here as a shuck of real responsibility by cowardly elected official. Another moment of shame.

Second, that flag does not add or detract from anyone's heritage. Mississippi flew several flags. That one was chosen as a symbol of defiance to civil rights and human equality at a time when Mississippi (white) was attempting to position itself as a champion of the principles of human degradation and subjugation. It's continued use is inappropriate unless Mississippi still promotes those same principles... standing alone in it's backwardness. If that's your heritage...

Fly the damn thing over your house and your business. Good for you. But not over state property.

Anonymous said...

9:24 You would "suffer" if that flag were removed? Get a life.

Alapha Storm said...

10:04 AM The last flag vote lived in the days of segregation and are now dead? really their now dead. I thought we voted on it in 2001. I'm still alive an kicking. I didn't know we still had segregation in 2001. Oh, I know how you confused the years. You watched Mississippi Burning one too many times. stop watching too much tv, and get to work. Better yet go back to school and learn you history. Oh, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended all state and local laws requiring segregation.

If Mississippi still changes the flag for what ever. White people will still be blamed for the black man being held back. white people like me are evil.

Anonymous said...

I am sick to damn death of people saying the majority of the people of Mississippi voted to keep the flag containing the confederate battle emblem. It’s not a factual statement.

The population of the state of Mississippi in 2000 broke down like this:
- Overall Population: 2,844,658 (as of 4/1/00)
- Voting Age Population: 2,072,762 (as of 2000 presidential election)
- Registered Voters: 1,745,484 (as of 2000 presidential election)
While these numbers are from 2000, they are probably good enough to use in a basic analysis of the flag vote, which took place in April, 2001.

The vote totals for the flag vote were:
- Keep current flag – 494,323 (64.4%)
- Change to flag with circle of stars against blue – 273,359 (35.6%)
That totals to 767,681.

Keep in mind, that figure does not reflect turnout. The alternative flag proposed was not popular with everyone who did want to make a change, and some people did chose to write “None of the Above” on their ballots. Because write-in votes are not permitted in Mississippi, none of those ballots had to be counted and reported. Counties did not have to report actual turnout (number of people who signed the poll book and attempted to vote). It stands to reason that anyone who did attempt a write-in vote was opposed to the current flag – there was no reason for a supporter of that flag to write in an alternative.

So the total of the votes counted in the 2001 flag vote equaled:
- 27.0% of the population of Mississippi
- 37.0% of the voting age population of Mississippi
- 43.0% of registered voters in Mississippi

That means the people who voted to keep the flag were:
- 17.4% of the population of Mississippi
- 23.8% of the voting age population
- 28.3% of registered voters
Not one of those is a majority of Mississippians – only one of them surpasses a quarter of a population group.

What you can say is this – of the 27% of the people of Mississippi who successfully cast ballots in the 2001 flag referendum, 64.4% of them chose not to replace the existing flag with a proposed new design.

That last bit is important – they chose not to replace the current flag with a specific design. That vote wasn't "Do you want a flag without a Confederate emblem," it was "Do you want this one or the other one?" One of the biggest complaints you heard during the flag referendum was that the alternative design was highly unattractive. There may have been many voters who, while lukewarm to the idea of keeping the confederate emblem on the state flag, were put off by the aesthetics of the proposed replacement.

There was also a rumor that the proposed replacement was intended to honor a previous flag under which slavery was allowed, and that the referendum was simply replacing one slave-holder flag with another. While the proposed replacement did resemble the Stars and Bars flag that was chosen as the first flag of the Confederacy, they were not identical. There is no way to determine the extent to which that history influenced the design process of the committee.

Bottom line – you cannot say that a majority of Mississippians wanted to keep the flag with the confederate emblem on it.

Anonymous said...

It is a failed traitor's flag. The ultimate participation trophy. Support the Confederate flag all you want, but do not ever call yourself an American patriot or preach to us on the 4th of July about how you love your country. While you're at it, take a seat during the Star Spangled Banner so we don't have to see your hypocrisy.

Anonymous said...

12:09, please notice the people taking a seat during the Star Spangled Banner. Did you notice anything that they seem to have in common? Is the U.S. flag next?

10:54, please tell the man who sued the state because the flag made him sick the same thing.

Anonymous said...

Well, changing the flag would make the New Yorkers happy. Don't know how we'd benifit from their happiness though.

Anonymous said...

So let me get this right....just yesterday, a white former policeman was acquitted of "murdering" a black man in St. Louis Missouri 6 years ago and somehow, somewhere, the protesters just last night found a Mississippi flag to burn in the streets. Riiiiiiiiggggghhhttt.

Anonymous said...

The authoritarian left won't stop at changing the flag. Keep buying weapons and ammunition because the day of reckoning approaches.

Anonymous said...

11:14....90% of the old white folks that have passed away since 2001 voted to keep that flag. A much lower percentage of white folks born since then would vote to keep it today. You know that, but thanks for all of that typing anyway.

Just a matter of time.

Anonymous said...

I can picture 11:14 being an 80 year old white guy with square rim glasses like Beckwith sitting in front a a huge CRT screen from the 1980s typing on message boards all day long. By Damn

Anonymous said...

Amen 12:09, let these losers keep their flag.

Anonymous said...

There is a segment of people out there who are never satisfied. The subjects vary from the current state of the weather to what they had for breakfast this morning, in addition to other subjects including the state flag.

Okay, so you don't like the state flag, you don't like the United States flag and you don't like the National Anthem; What do you like??? Some people are never satisfied with anything; you can't please them. So, stop trying!!! It is what it is; if you do not like it, go where you do like it. All of these items were in place before you were here.

Me thinks you don't really dislike these things as much as you just really like to Bitch and Complain!

Anonymous said...

The Stars and Bars, if I remember rightly, was the Confederate Navy Jack. The "X" shape of the bars came from the flag of Scotland which honors St. Andrew who was crucified on an "X-Shaped" cross. But, unfortunately, this flag was usurped by Hollywood and by the KKK to represent those who uphold segregation and cherish out-dated notions of superiority of the white race. It is past time to let this flag go. As to the question of what replaces it, we are at terrible odds. Many even feel to use red, white, and blue is a "tip of the hat" to the old flag. A ridiculous notion, I must say. A while back a popular version for Mississippi was the magnolia flag. I preferred the flag with only one magnolia rather than the tree with white blooms which looked odd. Let's find a solution folks.

Anonymous said...

1:39, just where are those born after 2001 going to vote? I know this is Mississippi but they still need to be old enough to vote.

Anonymous said...

To 1:21 PM......My Brother, the day of reckoning IS coming and when it does I will have 3 pistols, 2 rifles,1 shotgun and 550 rounds of ammunition to make my last stand in beautiful and bucolic Madison County. I can't think of a better place to leave this round ball. My president is still Jefferson Finis Davis (a Mississippi brother)!!!!!!!! Deo Vindice.

Anonymous said...

The 1894 flag is the state flag in name only. None of Mississippi's institutes of higher education recognize it. Many cities and towns around the state no longer fly it. Moreover, many businesses choose not to fly it. You won't see it at the Nissan plant. It's days are numbered. Any politician running for statewide office should be prepared to state their position on the flag. So far, Tate and Phil have been spineless. This issue isn't going away.

Anonymous said...


I don't really give a good damn about Bill Crawford or what his liberal non pay check cutting ass thinks. He is a bore and probably believes about half the shit he writes.

Anonymous said...

Matter of time 3:20

Anonymous said...

Mississippi doesn't have a constitutional provision which allows for the exercise of statewide referendum powers and therefore someone could argue the Legislature has no power to allow the electorate to legislate directly by popular vote, which is what they did in 2001.

Since Andy Taggart wants to get rid of the state flag, he should go to the Hinds County Courthouse and get the flag statute created by the 2001 vote struck down for being an unlawful delegation of legislative power. Democrats frequently use the courts to get their way when they are unsuccessful in changing policy through the legislative process - why shouldn't anti-flag Republicans? Jim Hood would be the only named defendant. Would he appeal or let the trial judge's ruling stand?

Republicans would get to point out the injustice of a single judge in Jackson setting statewide flag policy. Bills could be introduced to re-enact the 1894 design, but guess who is still the Speaker of the House? All future flag bills get quadruple-referred to the committees where lottery bills go to die.

Anonymous said...

3:36 you sound a lot like Dylan Roof. And that's why the flag is going to change.

Anonymous said...

11:34, you seem to forget the number of those wanting to get rid of the flag was less than those who wanted to keep it. What is so hard for you to understand?

Anonymous said...

3:09, do you remember when there was a magnolia flower on the car tags? You may remember it as it was sometimes called, the fried egg.

Anonymous said...

It's time to change the flag and the Republican's in office. They finally have the house, senate and Presidency and still can't do a damn thing. It's obvious that they are all talk and no action.

Anonymous said...

4:17, before you start practicing law, or interpreting rules, or suggesting how others should conduct themselves, maybe - just maybe - you should study up a little bit yourself.

The 2001 vote did not adopt a state flag. It was a referendum (called for by a Democrat Governor and a Democrat led legislature, both Speaker and Lt Gov, that didn't have the balls to deal with the subject themselves so they passed the buck) between two different designs.

It was a non-binding resolution; however the people voted, or didn't vote, would not determine a damn thing.

It was a few months later when the legislature adopted a resolution adopting the existing flag as the official state flag.

So - Andy Taggart can stay in his office; he does not have to follow your suggestion and go to the courthouse and file anything about the 2001 vote. You, on the other hand, should study up a little bit before you desire to chime in on message boards in the future.

Anonymous said...

The Confederate flag was a symbol of evil during the Civil War and it is a symbol of evil today. There was nothing honorable, decent, or Christian about seceding from the United States and starting a war so the South would have the right to continue enslaving, raping, torturing, and lynching people of color. The flag should be retired and placed in a museum next to the Nazi flag and other flags of evil throughout history.

Anonymous said...

Hey, 1:41, this is 11:14. I'm not 80. Nor am I a man. I am a 40-something, 8th-generation Mississippian and the great-grand-daughter of a Confederate officer.

And I hate than damn flag.

Anonymous said...

Traitors indeed they were, those men who led the secession! Here is another list of traitors; John Adams, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Henry Lee, John Horton, John Hancock, among others! There were 56 traitors who put there name on a piece of paper that changed the world. Traitor is such an overused word. For the men that I look at as hero's, the King of England, the legal authority over the American Colonies didn't look at them as hero's. They were traitors and if the American Revolution had gone a different direction, they would have been swinging from a rope or in front of a firing squad. So, come up with some other argument than traitors. It just doesn't work!!

Anonymous said...

Seems like we have a country chocked full of traitors. Maybe we do need to get rid of the stars and stripes. The only difference in them and the confederates is they won their war. They were traitors just like the confederates.

Anonymous said...

6:49pm

It says everything about you and nothing about the standard. Hating an inanimate object is irrational and stupid.

Symbols are just symbols. It's an identity. By you and other irrationals that have posted, you seem to think that your identity as a Mississippian will be wiped away with the change of a flag.

If you don't live here or identify with a Mississippian, then hating the flag is beyond irrational and stupid. You have no right to not be offended, and being offended by something a simple as a flag is the epitome of backwards and ignorant.

No one has to justify maintaining the flag of Mississippi. What has to be justified is changing it and what reasons for the change and what accomplishments will be had from the change. Our past is linked to us, and we can't escape it. What's worse is that when you choose to ignore it by trying to white-wash it away, one tends to repeat it.

There are a lot of standards that are symbols of hate and hiding this one is not going to change one thing in anyone's life. If it bothers you that much to hate an inanimate object, perhaps look within to see where the problem with instead of projecting it onto a state flag.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi is an economic and educational wasteland because of slavery and the racial hatred that has continued since then. Each year tens of thousands of young people leave this state. There are many hundreds of thousands of people all over the country who were originally from this state. They left for good jobs in places where their children will receive a good education and to be part of a world that long ago moved on. There was no difference between the Confederacy and Nazi Germany or South African apartheid, each were based on evil. Changing the flag will not change the evil hearts and minds that are inside a large part of the population of this state but it will at least be a start even if just a symbolic one.

Anonymous said...

7:03; here's the difference. The Founding Fathers, rebels that they were, won. The founding principal of the Confederacy was to preserve slavery. It's all in the primary historical sources. The founding principle of the US was something quite different. Oh, and they won.

Anonymous said...

What people fail to understand is that getting rid of the flag will hurt people just as keeping the flag hurts people. The flag hurts some people because they have been told they should feel hate for it. They may not know why but they know they should hate it. Others see the flag as part of the history of the state.
One thing we know. Getting rid of the flag will satisfy some people for a short time until they find something else they are offended by. Getting rid of the flag will hurt a larger number of people and will cause problems for many years to come.

Anonymous said...

the flag will go, but under governors who belong to the SCV, with their false history it will be a long slow death. Andy was correct, the Republican party had nothing to do with implementing this flag, it was a symbol of the post reconstruction Dixie which disenfranchised the Republican vote. Silly for the Republican party who Johnny Reb hated in the War of Rebellion to support this flag.

Anonymous said...

7:48, that's a bunch of crap attempting to masquerade as reason.

A symbol is never just a symbol. A cross isn't just two lines. An inverted pentagram isn't just a type of star. If flags were just symbols, then we wouldn't teach our children to pledge allegiance to one. If the Mississippi flag was just a symbol, no one would have any interest in keeping it or getting rid of it.

A symbol means something -- a symbol is its meaning. The point is made just in the definition of symbol: "an authoritative summary of faith or doctrine :creed :something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance; especially :a visible sign of something invisible ·the lion is a symbol of courage :an arbitrary or conventional sign used in writing or printing relating to a particular field to represent operations, quantities, elements, relations, or qualities :an object or act representing something in the unconscious mind that has been repressed :an act, sound, or object having cultural significance and the capacity to excite or objectify a response."

By definition, a symbol is meaning. And to try and divorce that flag from meaning? That's what's irrational and stupid.

Anonymous said...

8:41, I'm fully aware of the difference! I'd agree to get rid of everything related to the Old South if it would make a difference. The problem is it want. Those that are complaining today about the Flag, will have something else to complain about tomorrow. We have so much more that needs to be addressed in this State and this Country. An example of the sheer stupidity of removing symbols of the Old South, we need to look at our neighbors in New Orleans. That city spent several hundred thousand dollars to remove 4 statues. They should have taken the money and applied it to repairing the 14 pumping stations that were inoperative during hurricane Harvey. Perhaps that money would have been better spent on the pumps. But, the good folks in New Orleans want have to worry about seeing Robert E Lee in Lee Circle while their houses are flooded because the waste of money on removing some old statues. Oh, I'm sorry, that name needs to be changed back to it's original name. I believe it was Tivoli circle, could be wrong on that. At the end of the day, it is about power and control. If you don't have power and control, you want it!

Anonymous said...

8:57 Please explain how people will be hurt by getting rid of the flag. You seem to attach rational thinking to this attachment to the confederate state of mind but irrational thought to those who feel offended by it (as a symbol of their state). I would agree with you that the flag is part of the history of the state. So is human bondage, black codes making injustice legal, lynchings, and taxation without representation, etc. We cannot change history, and no one is suggesting we do. But we can change a vestige of that sad history still in use-that flag with a confederate symbol prominently displayed. How the hell can changing that thing hurt Mississippi?

Anonymous said...

@547

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2001/pdf/HB/0500-0599/HB0524SG.pdf

doesnt look like a "non-binding resolution" to me. looks like a bill that gave voters two options through a special election, and the one the majority of voters picked became Section 3-3-16 of Mississippi Code of 1972

Should study up before you accuse someone of not studying up...

Anonymous said...

Sadly, the current slate of MS Republicans aren't doing anything to get MS off the bottom ranking of every metric that matters. Taggart showed his true colors with his D.I. Smith stunt. Ronald Reagan would kick them all out of the Party.

Anonymous said...

So all that has really been said is that the flag hurts my feelings. How has the flag kept you from getting an education, a job, pursuing happiness, TODAY!! Isn't it more of a victory to succeed and prosper in spite of the flag.

Anonymous said...

7:48 pm Your argument nicely favors the side you oppose as well. Loving a symbol would be just as ridiculous as hating a symbol by your logic. It's the extreme emotion a symbol triggers that can be dangerous. Love and hate can both be good things .You should hate injustice and love justice, for example.
So, you've accidently stumbled upon a truth but missed it.
Good symbols represent the highest ideals and behaviors of mankind . Bad symbols come to represent the worst of mankind . So if a symbol has been used ever to promote bondage or genocide or freedom to murder without consequences ( which we should all agree are among the worst behaviors) then it would be a bad symbol.
As you suggested, a pentagram is a bad symbol as it represents summoning the devil which represent evil. So, you should see that a symbols that represent our darkest period of history where " brothers fought and killed brothers" might not be a good symbol to embrace any more than the Swastika where Germans killed their fellow citizens. Both flags only flew during war and have stood for nothing other than grief over the human loss and negative consequences of those wars ever since. Those who cling to both flags are trying to ignore the evils of slavery and genocide and romanticize a dark past. I don't believe all the Germans who fought were fighting to kill Jews anymore than all the Southerners were fighting to keep slaves. They were pushed to war by those who saw the socio- economic benefit of bondage and genocide they would reap. They played on emotions of the populace, particularly fear . Plenty of Germans and Southerners no doubt were forced into fighting for their perception of home and country but , there are consequences to ignoring the negative objectives of those leading you to war. And, there were plenty of written and spoken words that should have given every participant a heads up. That includes quite a few of my family but only one lived long enough to acknowledge and atone. He recognized he was a part of bringing on a grand scale of death and misery.
Our American flag symbolizes freedom and liberty but only as long as we, as a people, avoid tainting our flag by electing those who will not disgrace it by leading us astray.
Might ought to spend less time studying the glory in battle and more time studying how people end up with disastrous leadership.

Anonymous said...

8:09 A real positive argument. We should be proud to succeed "in spite of" our own flag. After all, it's not killing us. That's something to be proud of.

Anonymous said...

The flag is not the thing that is holding Mississippi back. The lack of education is the biggest problem Mississippi has faced. The flag does not have a single thing to do with education. Well, maybe that is only part right. Many of the people who want to get rid of the flag have not been educated. Getting rid of the flag is not going to improve the education system. Getting rid of the flag is not going to improve attendance at any schools. Getting rid of the flag is not going to raise the scores of the kids.

If the people would get as fired up about education as they are about the flag you would see a difference in Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

Turn the Jackson public schools over to the state and the flag to the Mississippi History Museum.

Anonymous said...

People continue to make up definitions to suit their argument.

A symbol, by definition, is not "meaning." A symbol is a representation apart from it's meaning. A symbol can easily change meaning based on the person observing it, therefore, by definition, can NOT be meaning.

Symbols do, indeed, mean different things to different people, but making up a meaning to suit an argument is simply stupid.

Arguing that a symbol means one thing and then telling those who feel the same that the symbol should be done away with because it's meaning to them is less important than it is to you, is what is transpiring.

Don't let logic get in your way, and when it does, just make shit up.

bill said...

There really can be no argument that the Confederate battle flag has been used as a symbol for anti-black groups, whether we like it or not, and it is recognized by people far and wide as an anti-black symbol. It may be used for lots of other reasons, but that one is the important one. Second, there really can be no argument that black people are offended by it, and nothing's wrong with that. Shouldn't they have a right to be offended by something that is intended to offend them? Third, it's a fact that a sizable chunk of our population is black.

We are Mississippians. Why on earth would we intentionally allow something that inarguably offends that many of our citizens to remain on our state flag? Never mind the other reasons - it's just bad manners and we're mannerly people. I don't think we should ban the Confederate battle flag, or any other flag or symbol for that matter. Fly it at your home or place of business, put it on your car tag, or wear it on you lapel. Just take it off the state flag, because that is supposed to represent all of us.

Anonymous said...

A vote for flying the white flag. Mississippi should give up. If the citizens of this state think a flag is holding them back they should join in the white flag idea.
Wave it proudly and let everyone know the people of Mississippi have given up. We will continue to be at the bottom and have decided to accept that and give up.

Morgan Douglas said...

Mississippi should not have any kind of flag at all. Mississippians are nothing more than a bunch of backwoods racist hicks (Blacks and Whites). You people make me sick. You people make it embarrassment to be from Mississippi. Mississippi is like watching a clown show with the state leaders driving the clown car.

Anonymous said...

A vote of "keep the flag" or "replace the flag" shows the overwhelming majority want it changed. Which is why this topic has not been put on the ballot.

Given people the choice of two flags in 2000 was a way to blame the voters for the current flag we have now. You wan't this crappy flag or that crappy flag? So stop acting like the majority of people in MS want this flag. Your stupidity is showing.

Anonymous said...

Wake up/ the Mississippi Flag is just the tip of the iceberg.
Next all historic monuments + the Christian Cross, will certainly be in the cross hairs, as it (the cross) is often used by "certain groups".

Anonymous said...

How can you say you are a Christian and support that flag, given what it represents to the majority of the citizens who are not white?

Anonymous said...

Do we even need a state flag? The flag doesn't create jobs, educate our children or keep us safe. If it disappeared tomorrow, would anyone even notice? I suspect the loudest voices on both sides of the issue would keep bitching, but Mississippi would still be Mississippi without any flag at all.

Wim Kade said...

Not sure how Kim Wade missed the fact, but reparations have been paid on a continual and escalating basis since 1964. Please stop telling yourself that Lincoln's War was fought over slavery and the Flags of The Confederacy were symbols of hatred for black folk. Just please, stop that nonsense.

Change The Names Of All Things To Evers and Lumumba.. said...

I'm reminded of the goobs among you who want to see a state flag that incorporates something really innocuous and harmless and friendly and happy...like one white star on a blue background. You know, the flag that flew over Jackson, MS the day after secession from the Union. That one.

I'm also reminded that I've not seen a single white football player remain seated or taking a knee during the National Anthem. So, why are you saying I should also remain seated during the Star Spangled Banner as some sort of protest.

To the statistician, above, who posted all the nonsensical demographical garbage; How many times do you think a vote should be taken? Every five years?
Every ten? Only when minorities exceed whites in our demographical makeup? When they reach 70%? Please be clear.

And the 'blog participant' above who tried to educate us on 'symbols' and 'meaning' really fell flat. The flags that you people think offend you were nothing more at the time than troop-rallying and identification banners. Both sides used multiple versions, all intended to identify troops, one group from another, to cut down on the body count. Get a grip, fools. No flag was every used as a symbol of hating people or a race.

Anonymous said...

That flag was designed to represent the sentiment and political affiliation of the state of Mississippi. It has been and remains a huge success. Of all the state flags in the country none does this better than the state flag of Mississippi. No need to pretend Mississippi has become something it is not. You ain't foolin' nobody. Keep it.

Anonymous said...

I am all for a flag change, but there are far bigger issues in this state that these guys could focus on more effectively.

bill said...

8:52, you're absolutely right as far as the flag's use during the war is concerned. However, it's silly to suggest that it hasn't been used since then as an anti-black symbol. Of course it has, and that alone is enough reason to take it off our state flag.

Anonymous said...


We all know there are more important issues than the damn flag. Gunn and Taggert have motives that have not been divulged for plowing up this snake again.

These two guys should focus their attention on education, crime and most important being honest with the people of Mississippi. Last is last and Mississippi is last and will never be next to last.

WOW !!!! When does it all end ???????????????

2 Bill said...

Bill....whoever the hell you are: Do we abolish all things pictorial, visual, thought and spoken that have been co-opted and bastardized by groups we find distasteful? Where do you draw the line? Do you draw it only at a point at which people of dark skin say they are offended?

The US flag (various issues) flew over slavery much longer than any Christian Cross on a red background did. It flew over slave-trading vessels as well while no Confederate or Southern ship ever traded slaves. Not to bore you with history, but there were more slave holding states in the north than in the South. Are you sure you know the meaning of the 'Don't Tread On Me' flag? Do you understand the definition of the Confederate Battle Flag. Do you realize that the Christian Cross has been used by various hate groups? Again, where do YOU draw your lines? Are they arbitrary, transitional, alive and able to move?

Would you be offended by a Magnolia tree if you knew people had been hung from them? Does the Star of David offend you or others in Mississippi? What about the Bonnie Blue?

Then there's this: "I don't believe all the Germans who fought were fighting to kill Jews anymore than all the Southerners were fighting to keep slaves." I'm sure that's true. And I doubt all northerners were fighting for their right to have slaves either. Nor were they fighting to abolish slavery, which was never given as a reason for war until Abe decided, as a war measure, to issue his meaningless Proclamation.

Bill....Please think before you post.

Anonymous said...

The Civil War is over, y'all

Anonymous said...

11:56 The U.S. flag flies over a country that once embraced slavery, but later abolished it, a country that said women were not citizens, could not vote or hold office, but now says they are full and complete citizens, once divided people and discriminated against them because of the color of their skin or their condition of birth but now says that this is reprehensible and all men are equal in the eyes of the law. The U.S. has grown and seeks to correct it's many faults. Your confederate battle flag flew over a nation which said without equivocation that men are not equal, that some should be enslaved, that God intended that men should subjugate other men from birth. That nation never abolished, amended, or qualified any of those principles from it's inception to it's defeat and dissolution. That is a fact. Maybe Robert E. Lee would have freed all the slaves or Jefferson Davis would have had a change of heart, but they didn't. Many symbols have been used by various causes and organizations which changed or corrected those perceptions of it which may have gone before. Like the Swastika, your symbol never had it's redemption and because it's still in use by bigots and haters it seems it never will... except maybe in that fantasy land where you and Scarlett O'Hara dwell. Do you think before you post?

11:56 said...

"...except maybe in that fantasy land where you and Scarlett O'Hara dwell. Do you think before you post? September 18, 2017 at 2:32 PM"

Actually, I DO. That's why my post is fact-based and yours is a combination of hypothetical and speculative. Come back when you have facts.

bill said...

11:56, I'm not suggesting we abolish anything. I just think it's time to take the Confederate battle flag off the state flag. The rest of your post doesn't apply to that argument.

Anonymous said...

How in the hell do y'all get away with calling that X a Christian cross? Is it turned sideways or something? I don't get it.

Of course the government has brainwashed me into calling it the Civil War rather than the War of Northern aggression, so there's that.

Anonymous said...

All of the educated people that might vote for a new flag leave the state the day after graduation. Kind of a self perpetuating morass.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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