Hillary Comes Out Against the Confederate Flag
February 19th, 2007 by Maria EvansNow THAT’S putting your political aspirations on the line to take a controversial stand. And why is Senator Clinton against the Confederate flag flying on South Carolina Statehouse grounds?
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that South Carolina should remove the Confederate flag from its Statehouse grounds, in part because the nation should unite under one banner while at war.
“I think about how many South Carolinians have served in our military and who are serving today under our flag and I believe that we should have one flag that we all pay honor to, as I know that most people in South Carolina do every single day,” Clinton told The Associated Press in an interview.
Um, what?
February 20th, 2007 at 8:24 am
That is one very dangerous lady–cannot imagine anyone voting for her
February 20th, 2007 at 11:05 am
That flag has been flying over the Statehouse grounds through many wars. Why is it now a controversy? Perhaps she would also propose that the states should not display their perspective state flags as well. If her aim is to invoke a sense of nationalism among the American people, I believe there are better ways to accomplish it….starting with her voting record. If she can’t unite the Senate, how can she unite an entire country?
February 20th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
The Confederate Flag is more than just a flag to Southerners. The flag is a remembrance of heritage and is a symbolism of what the southern ancestors went through.
I think Hillary should have picked a different topic in South Carolina.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
This is by far the best part: in part because the nation should unite under one banner while at war.
“Unite”??? The Dems have been nitpicking at EVERY opportunity to be anything BUT united!!
What a friggin’ gaffe that was, Hil.
February 21st, 2007 at 9:52 am
Hillary was a little clumsy here. But I do agree with her that the American flag should be the only flag flying the highest on the dome of the SC state capitol, or any other state capitol, symbolizing that we are a united nation of people.
In contrast, the Confederate flag is a symbol of national disunity and of a slave driven plantation economy that was unsustainable from a moral viewpoint. Why continue to promote such a symbol?
On unity, shall we talk about Bush the divider? He has recently succeeded in dividing even his own party, greasing the wheels of an acknowledged “thumping”!
Regarding the Dems, let us look at the facts. Under the leadership of Reid and Pelosi, governing from near the center as best they can, Congressional voting results on legislation so far shows the Dems united, together with a good handful of moderate Republicans. Are you paying attention?
On the Iraq War, the center politically represents those who are against the surge and for a phased withdrawal. Am I correct?
February 21st, 2007 at 1:11 pm
The Confederate Flag should not be flown over any government building in America. Period.
It is the flag of treason. It is the flag of an attempted armed destruction of America.
When people talke about that glorious Southern Heritage, to what heritage are they referring? Slavery? Treason? Race riots? Which is it, Moron?
February 21st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
It’s on the Statehouse grounds, not flying over the Statehouse. And it’s flying over a fallen confederate soldier memorial. Just for a little perspective.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Using your rationale, shouldn’t the Nazi flag fly over German soldiers from World War II?
February 21st, 2007 at 8:49 pm
That wasn’t a rationalization. That was pointing out to you and Perry exactly where the flag is flying in SC, and it’s certainly not flying “over” any government building.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:13 am
Maria, reread it, I did not say that the Confederate Flag was flying on the dome of the SC State Capitol Building.
It is true, however, that it was only a few years ago that their State Legislature finally had it removed, a good and wise thing. I took it that Hillary was underscoring that decision.
You certainly cannot accuse Hillary of pandering. In fact, although I passionately did/do not agree with her vote to support the Cheney/Bush Iraq War, I do think her campaigning so far has been quite credible. She handles objections showing that she has put a lot of thought into her positions, answering calmly without irritation or rancor. She is the model candidate so far. We have yet to see enough of Obama, although his announcement speech was fantastic!
So yes, I am impressed with her campaign, as we simultaneously watch Giuliani, McCain, and Romney flip-flopping on social issues as they attempt to pander to their Christian right wing base. On the contrary, Hillary comes over as principled, like Obama and Kucinich as well. But it is still very early in the campaign, with a lot of water still to pass over the damn dam.
Is pandering necessary to win elections? If so, that is a reflection on us the electorate, that we would be so easily influenced.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:45 am
Get a grip, southpaw. Comparing the Confederate flag to the Nazi flag is preposterous. Do a little reading about the many issues the South had with the North (it wasn’t just slavery) as well as the historical basis for state secession.
I am not advocating the South’s position; however, the genesis of the Civil War is a lot more complex than you’re making it out to be.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:05 am
The main reason of secession wasn’t over slavery. It is the biggest misnomer that our kids are taught in school. The main reason was over the cotton. The South grew it and the North processed it in their factories. The North didn’t want to give the South what they wanted for the cotton and it started a huge controversy and later leading to war. Slavery was only a little piece of the pie but Lincoln saw it as a time to end slavery.
If you want to compare the confederate flag to the Nazi flag than go ahead. Confederate flag was the flag of an army who killed their own brothers and cousins for what they thought would be a better America. The Nazi flag was of an army that killed innocent Jews with the ideology of taking over the world.
What I find to be ironic is the people on here say it shows disunity within the country. The southern states somehow are the most patriotic and supportive states in the Nation. I bet if you saw a war on our soil, in our backyards, the North would be wiped out easily but the South would be able to stand their ground and offer a nice fight.
Lastly, if they want to fly their flag let em’ do it until someone forces otherwise. If your offended by a little piece of cloth then you’ve gone out of your way to try and be offended. Soon we won’t be able to fly the American flag because middle eastern people will be offended. We’ve already kicked the 10 commandments off state property. Soon you won’t even be able to have your house on your property.