The Hypocrisy of Southern Flag-Wavers

[liberalpragmatist]

I don't mean to demean the South or all Southerners, whether Republican or Democrat. Some of my closest friends are from the South and I love southern hospitality.

Even so, I find the nauseating American jingoism of many people in the South to be incredibly hypocritical. Certainly, I don't mean all Southerners or even all patriotic Southern Republicans - but the most vocal will constantly be waving their flag and screaming "TRAITOR!" to anybody who disagrees with a military action.

Look whose talking! How dare they accuse non-Southern liberals of being unpatriotic or traitors to this country. Last time I checked, the South was the only part of the country ever to rise in armed insurrection against the United States! Who attempted to destroy the US constitution repeatedly? Oh, the South. Who denied inalienable rights to millions upon millions of their own citizens? Of course, the non-Southern states weren't blameless in that respect. But armed insurrection?! And over ONE election? Refusal to compromise? Refusal to have any loyalty or respect to the democratic process, which had unfortunately picked, for once, a president the South didn't like?

Frankly, it disgusts me. And if they were honestly sorry about it, it wouldn't be nearly so hypocritical. But they're the ones then to go and wave the Confederate Battle Flag wherever they can! Sorry folks, you can't serve two masters.

Sorry, just venting. Please in responding don't respond to simply slurring all Southerners - we have many great Southern DU'ers on this board.

[Lefty48197]

1. Give em hell!

It's funny, how the ones who claim to love the American flag the most, are also the first to display the Confederate flag.

[BlueJazz]

2. No apology necessary. I live in the south and I'm all too aware...

...of the fact that the Deep South has more than it's share of stupid, ignorant, self-righteous, phony, loud-mouth Hillbillies.

On the plus side, the amount of intelligent, caring individuals more than makes up for the rednecks....and believe me...
..They have a LOT of making up to do!!

[porphyrian]

3. Stop with all them new-fangled facts...

It's bad enough trying to maintain the number of contradictions and paradoxes in Southern conservative beliefs without someone like you throwing out factual evidence and shit.

What did you expect? People who believe it's better to rape their daughters than to masturbate aren't right in the head.

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. What really boggles the mind...

... is when I see Confederate flags flying from flagpoles, hanging in windows, or emblazoned upon various articles of clothing.

BECAUSE I LIVE IN ILLINOIS.

A UNION STATE!!!!!!! WE WERE A UNION STATE!!!!!!!!! LINCOLN WAS FROM ILLINOIS, FOR CHRISSAKES!!!

Someone needs to tell the hillbillies in my town that Illinois is NORTH of the Mason-Dixon line, thanks very much.

Jeeesus almighty.

[flaminbats]

17. hmmm..must be Alan Keyes supporters

sounds like there are more Confederate flags flying in Illinois than I see in Georgia or Florida.

[WildEyedLiberal]

18. Well they aren't hugely prolific or anything

but there are a few nutjobs around my (small, rural) town who proudly fly the Dixie flag. Stupid fucks. I'm quite sure they support Alan Keyes, because anyone stupid enough to fly a rebel flag is probably as "GAWD GUNS N GAYS" as you can get.

[Screaming Eagle RL]

5. South and the Military

The South has always been very, very pro-military.

[Jacobin]

10. Gee. Then how did the North win the war?

go figure

[lawladyprof]

6. Confederate flag and "United We Stand" stickers

Next street over I can see a Confederate flag bumper sticker and a "United We Stand" bumper sticker on the same truck (each end of the bumper). Kind of jaw-dropping.

[Rowdyboy]

7. You do know that divisive threads about religion are being locked, right?

On the grounds that we don't need that shit at such an important time. Inciting regional animosity is exactly the same thing, at least in my opinion. Now is not the time to be making divisive comments that alienate different portions of the base unnecessarily.

If you doubt my word please read:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=120x23107

Repeatedly claiming you mean no offense to southern DUers doesn't make any difference. It still appears intentionally divisive and alienating to MANY posters on this board.

JMO.

[liberalpragmatist]

9. well, take it up with the mods if you prefer

If you have sincere doubts. Personally, I really don't think anybody on DU will get the impression that I'm slurring fellow DU'ers - I'm merely mocking the hypocrisy of Southern Conservatives who yell "traitor" but then wave the Confederate flag.

But if you think it's too divisive, ask the mods - if they decide it to lock it I'll stand by their choice.

[Rowdyboy]

11. Okay, this is just my opinion, but would you post a thread that said

most gays are self absorbed and really have no political awareness? However, the gays on DU are superior to that and you're not talking about them.

That statement about gays is a stereotype. Yes, its true in many cases, but it isn't in many more. Many of those who are not self absorbed and politically apathetic would bristle at your suggestion.

I'm just saying its not the time for divisiveness. What purpose is served by ranting against southerners 12 days before an election? What positive result can it have. Is it really worth it just so you can trash talk southerners?

Just asking. I'm really more concerned with the election.

[liberalpragmatist]

12. I'm not saying that Southerners are like this "in general"

I'm merely saying that there are some Southerners, the really jingoistic, conservative, flag-wavers who are are hypocritical. I don't see how that's any more divisive than a DU'er making a thread criticizing Conservatives or Republicans.

[Rowdyboy]

15. How many conservatives are serious,dedicated members of this site?

None. How many true Republican members are there here? Damn few. Now, how many southernern democrats are here? ONE HELL OF A LOT!

Nothing in this thread in anyway helps defeat George Bush. It merely splits us.

[vetwife]

16. ROFL Never thought about that and allegience to a flag they lost !

I am a Ga gal and you speak the truth !

[Jacobin]

8. Are you suggesting that there is any connection between the

the countries represented by the United States flag of 1861 and the red, white and blue flag being waived ALL ACROSS this country today?

Frankly, I don't

[Anarcho-Socialist]

13. I do see the hypocracy of it and seeing the CSA flag turns my stomach

[SemperEadem]

14. the progeny of traitors

granted, not all southerners are ill-mannered and outright wrong in their interpretation of 'their place' in this country and in society--but when you have had a segment of the country who tried to buy into the ideal that they were a bunch of minor Princes, Dukes and Earls--a.k.a. nobility--entitled to establish their own serfdoms, treat with the heads of European government when in the process of treasonously rebelling against their lawful leader and government, no amount of vitriol is too much to foist upon them. The fact that they were spared attainders is a wonder to the ages.

[Elminster]

19. This will help with the CSA flag deal....

Personally i see nothing wrong with the CSA flag.
The flag that most of you see is the Confederate Battle flag.
Basically it was to the CSA flag that the Union Jack is to the
Flag of the USA.
The first CSA flag looked too close to the Flag of the USA so it
was changed later to distinguish it from the Union flag.
Here is an example:

This is the first flag of the CSA.

Later on the flag finally evolved to a white flag with the Crossed
bars and stars in the upper right and a red vertical strip down
the right side.
This is the final flag of the CSA.....


The Battle flag was just that, a standard carried into battle.
It was the flag of the south during the War of Northern aggression,
(Civil war to you yanks ;) ).
Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to start an argument but just like to
see the facts straight.
Lots of men died under that flag, men of all colors died fighting
for the south.
Seeing that I live in South Louisiana it really isn't that big a deal
down here, i'm just a history buff.
As for the flag though I don't see a problem with flying it.
Just my opinion of course.
Take care all.