We should have let 'em secede

Apologies to all sensible folk south of the Mason-Dixon line, but I don't know how else to react to the bigotry and pathological denial exhibited over and over again by defenders of so-called 'Southern Heritage.' The only heritage symbolized by the stars and bars is slavery, racism, the Klan, lynching, Jim Crow, hate, war, and treason. Who in their right mind would find anything on that list to celebrate? So I must conclude that defenders of the Confederate legacy are either nuts or just plain evil. If not, they are so shrouded in a fog of denial that they are beyond the reach of the light of reality. In no case is there a rational, morally defensible justification for flying the rebel flag.


'56 flag defenders out to oust Perdue | ajc.com

They helped rout former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes in 2002, and now they're rallying their troops for a run at Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Supporters of the 1956 state flag with its dominant Confederate cross plan a final all-out charge to oust a Georgia governor who outflanked their no-retreat-no-surrender efforts to keep the controversial banner flying.

"We can't elect our own governor. We've tried, but we don't have enough votes. What we can do is make 'em one-termers," said Elijah Coleman, a Mableton member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Political experts — and even some from their own ranks — say the flag forces are fighting a long-decided battle. And they're going into the skirmish with divided troops.

"Our members are pretty disgusted with Perdue and the promises he broke," said Jeff Davis, the Gainesville-based chairman of Georgia Heritage Council, an umbrella group that includes leaders representing other heritage groups. "They certainly will not be supporting him. Some will vote [for Democratic candidate Mark Taylor, the current lieutenant governor]. Some will go fishing that day. Some will support a third-party candidate."

There are hundreds of Civil War heritage groups across the state that range from groups of "hardcore flaggers," who dress in Confederate uniforms and wave Rebel flags in protest, to sedate organizations that attempt to protect battlefields from overzealous developers. It's difficult to get an accurate reading of their true numbers or ballot power going into the governor's race, just as it was four years ago.

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