What does the confederate flag mean to you? (2 Viewers)

[Jayrod]

No matter how you feel about slavery, if you were living in Louisiana when it voted to secede, and if you refused to defend the state and actively helped the North, then YOU would be the traitor, not the Confederates. We're talking about defending your neighbors, your family, your friends, and your land. And that is somehow "criminal"? That's crap.

Bad choice of states. Louisiana had a bunch of people that sided with the union. It was more like Missouri than South Carolina. The Union held portions of Louisiana throughout the CW.There were Inion sympathizers and abolitionists all cross the South, not to mention, you know, slaves.

The Confederate soldiers were indeed traitors and either owned slaves or supported the right to own slaves.

Tell me, Tim, how much sympathy do you show towards the German people who watched their Jewish neighbors get dragged off to concentration camps?

Woah, wait a minute. Louisiana did NOT have a "bunch of people" who sided with the Union. And the only reason the Union held portions of Louisiana was because the navy invaded New Orleans.Nor were there "Union Sympathizers and abolitionists" all over the South.

As to the bolded, not much. But I can distinguish between them and the men who fought bravely and died for the German armed forces. And if I was German, I would be proud of many of them, while despising the SS and the Nazis.

There were indeed Union sympathizers all over the South. They were called slaves. Also some were white; 100,000 Union soldiers were from Southern states.

 

[Jayrod]

Just so I understand the new teaching...we're saying that most, if not all, of those who fought on the Confederate side did so because they either owned slaves or fought simply for the right to own slaves?

There's now very little chance that most were fighting to keep the Federal gov't from dictating their lives from afar (much like the Revolutionary War)?

Why they fought and what they fought for are two different things.

 

[The Commish]

Well....I THOUGHT people were learning about this country's history. Looks like that bit the dust in favor or rewriting it. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. This IS the FFA.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Just so I understand the new teaching...we're saying that most, if not all, of those who fought on the Confederate side did so because they either owned slaves or fought simply for the right to own slaves?

There's now very little chance that most were fighting to keep the Federal gov't from dictating their lives from afar (much like the Revolutionary War)?

"Rights" plural...aside from the right to keep slaves, what other rights were they fighting for?

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Well....I THOUGHT people were learning about this country's history. Looks like that bit the dust in favor or rewriting it. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. This IS the FFA.

I wouldn't be surprised that you thought wrong either, but why is that the fault of the FFA?

 

[BustedKnuckles]

The southerners did this to themselves when they decided to use the confederate flag as a rally flag during the 1940`s segregation issues and there after.. its reared its ugly head at KKK clan gatherings and a lot of racist events ...then it popped up with this idiot killing 9 blacks to start a race war...and there he is with his southern pride flag in his pictures while spewing hate

 

[renesauz]

I grew up in authentic redneck coal mining country (western PA). Moved to the west coast when I was 10. Its a different world. I haven't been back there in 25 years. Well, just spent a week in my old hometown. Its still the same world in many ways. I saw plenty of confederate flags, and one night I saw so many I couldn't count them. That was at the racetrack.

My wife couldn't seem to grasp that there were so many at the track. For her the confederate flag has one meaning, and that's institutionalized bigotry. Making it worse we're in a northern state. Why would so many people in the north being wanting to sport a confederate flag? I get it to a small degree. The confederate flag represents an old traditional feeling that doesn't have anything to do with race. We had them around when I was a kid and we didn't have any black folk around. When I say none, I mean NONE. There was no diversity in the small town I grew up in. 100% white anglo saxon protestant. No exceptions. This said, I think they're silly. There may be some folks clinging to some sense of good-ole-times, but the confederate flag is a symbol of institutionalized bigotry IMO.

At the racetrack last Saturday night I lost count of the bumper stickers, t-shirts, and random confederate flags all over the place. Dissappointing in some ways. Not sure how to react to all of them. I just tried to ignore it as much as I could. This said, I think the vast majority of people there didn't embrace it. Not sure. Just a hunch. Its not like I could read their minds. Perhaps just wishful thinking on my part.

Planning on hitting the races in two weeks back here in WA state. Miss my 410 sprint car action. Wondering how many of those flags I'll see here. Hoping not near as many.

Obviously these people aren't thinking the flag = "slavery" or "segregation" or "institutionalized bigotry" or "the South will rise again".

Anyone that's still flying that flag after all the controversy of the past few weeks is doing so with full knowledge of what it means to most black people and to the vast majority of Americans. Regardless of what their culture led them to believe it stood for, or even what it might still stand for to them, they now know what it really means to the outside world. And when you fly a flag you are, by definition, projecting something about yourself to that outside world, the one that interprets the flag as advocacy of those things you claim those who fly it are not thinking.

The defense of ignorance was always flimsy, but after the last month it's totally gone. Fly it all you want, but don't whine about people thinking you're a racist POS for doing so when you knew that's exactly what people will think when you made the decision to do it.

Simply not true.

"The poll shows that 57% of Americans see the flag more as a symbol of Southern pride than as a symbol of racism, about the same as in 2000 when 59% said they viewed it as a symbol of pride."

Personally....if 43% think it stands for something other than Southern pride, than there is no argument to make. 43% is an astoundingly HIGH number. If more than 4 out of ten people think something is a symbol of racism, and you continue to fly it, you're either incredibly stubborn and ignorant, or truly racist and don't care.

Again, that's not true either. Did you read the article posted, or see the actual results of the survey?

Of all Americans, 59% see it as a symbol of Southern pride. 33% see it as a symbol of racism. 5% say both equally. 5% say neither, and 1% had "no opinion".

I think you missed the point. If 33% of those surveyed see it as a symbol of racism, that's far too high a % to be ignored, and it is NOT portraying to a high enough % of people what the folks flying it swear it means.

In the end, it does not matter one darn iota what someone thionks their symbol means...if a significant chunk of people disagree with that or take it to mean something radically different, it should be taken down and changed. This is simple common sense, and shouldn't be taken personally from well-intentioned southerners flying the flag currently. IT"S A SYMBOL. Just change it.

 

[Buckfast 1]

Why do people believe myths about the Confederacy? Because our textbooks and monuments are wrong

I can relate to this article as my high school AP American History teacher in Georgia tried to teach us that the Civil War was not about slavery. She was, unsurprisingly, a Southern Baptist moron that likely believed the world was a few thousand years old.

 

[renesauz]

I feel I am missing out by not being offended by a flag, darn.....

For the record, I'm not offended. But I do recognize that others could be. Who am I to tell others how to feel - especially when the origin of the flag represented rebels who took up arms against my country. And I certainly don't advocate the outright banning of the flag. It just doesn't belong flying over an American government building.

You are right, I don't believe I have the right to tell people from the south how they should feel about their flag.....

They can feel however they want. Everyone's free to view it as they see fit. But it doesn't belong over a statehouse. Or do you disagree?

I don't really know if it belongs over a statehouse in the south or not? I am not from their and don't have any feelings one way or the other. I find it fascinating people are all up in arms over the flag now (today) as opposed to 10 years ago. I don't view it any differently....

I think it's strange to see it flying over a State House. Considering those states left the US during the Civil War, I have no problems with them taking the flag down from State Houses.

But if Jim Bob Johnson in middle of nowhere Alabama wants to fly it, go for it. I think he's crazy, but whatever.

 

[renesauz]

I think Saints made some great points. I also want to state that it is absurd to regard Confederate soldiers as criminals. These men, many of them quite heroic, are not just part of southern heritage, they are a part of American heritage, and I am proud to be associated with most of them. They fought bravely and honorably as Americans and they are NOT criminals or traitors.

I am for removing the Battle Flag from all capitols and state flags because slavery and white supremacy were great evils and there should be no confusion about that. But that's as far as it goes. When people start talking about removing monuments and statues of Confederate soldiers I'm out.

100% agree

 

[Amused to Death]

Why do people believe myths about the Confederacy? Because our textbooks and monuments are wrong

I can relate to this article as my high school AP American History teacher in Georgia tried to teach us that the Civil War was not about slavery. She was, unsurprisingly, a Southern Baptist moron that likely believed the world was a few thousand years old.

Texas is doing the same thing now - downplaying slavery and emphasizing the Christian influence in our laws.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

When exactly did the flag become a racist symbol? It was pretty benign for as long as I could remember, then suddenly the controversy arose around state flags in the '90s. I don't recall it being discussed before then. Did the majority of blacks always associate it with slavery and racism and it just wasn't talked about much? Or did Jesse send out a memo one day?

Ill Ive ever known it as... is a symbol of "us vs them" pitting Americans against other Americans. And those who used it -- used it proudly and boisterously as such. And blacks were always in the "them" category.

 

[Christo]

I think Saints made some great points. I also want to state that it is absurd to regard Confederate soldiers as criminals. These men, many of them quite heroic, are not just part of southern heritage, they are a part of American heritage, and I am proud to be associated with most of them. They fought bravely and honorably as Americans and they are NOT criminals or traitors.

I am for removing the Battle Flag from all capitols and state flags because slavery and white supremacy were great evils and there should be no confusion about that. But that's as far as it goes. When people start talking about removing monuments and statues of Confederate soldiers I'm out.

100% agree

Right, most of the Rebels were granted amnesty soon after the war and led constructive lives. Seems a little disingenuous for Americans today to hold them in such low regard when those who had just fought them were able to forgive them.

 

[timschochet]

When exactly did the flag become a racist symbol? It was pretty benign for as long as I could remember, then suddenly the controversy arose around state flags in the '90s. I don't recall it being discussed before then. Did the majority of blacks always associate it with slavery and racism and it just wasn't talked about much? Or did Jesse send out a memo one day?

Genius.

 

[renesauz]

When exactly did the flag become a racist symbol? It was pretty benign for as long as I could remember, then suddenly the controversy arose around state flags in the '90s. I don't recall it being discussed before then. Did the majority of blacks always associate it with slavery and racism and it just wasn't talked about much? Or did Jesse send out a memo one day?

I think this is something that has gotten worse over the last 20 years because of that flag's consistant use among white supremicists, hate groups, KKK, etc. If it weren't consistantly being adopted by those kinds of groups the Southern Pride angle would almost certainly be far more acceptable.

 

[Jayrod]

I think Saints made some great points. I also want to state that it is absurd to regard Confederate soldiers as criminals. These men, many of them quite heroic, are not just part of southern heritage, they are a part of American heritage, and I am proud to be associated with most of them. They fought bravely and honorably as Americans and they are NOT criminals or traitors.

I am for removing the Battle Flag from all capitols and state flags because slavery and white supremacy were great evils and there should be no confusion about that. But that's as far as it goes. When people start talking about removing monuments and statues of Confederate soldiers I'm out.

100% agree

Right, most of the Rebels were granted amnesty soon after the war and led constructive lives. Seems a little disingenuous for Americans today to hold them in such low regard when those who had just fought them were able to forgive them.

Sure they forgave them, but the didn't celebrate their accomplishments, raise up memorials and hoist up the rebel flags above their buildings. Yet somehow, that's what we do. Celebrate the damn thing and honor them. Those who killed and maimed and hated their countrymen and most definitely hated the black people and were literally fighting to keep them in chains.

They left their country, took up arms, fired on Fort Sumter and enforced inhumane laws on slaves.

But hey, let's erect a monument to them, those who lost the god awful war that they started and celebrate their bravery.

 

[Jayrod]

When exactly did the flag become a racist symbol? It was pretty benign for as long as I could remember, then suddenly the controversy arose around state flags in the '90s. I don't recall it being discussed before then. Did the majority of blacks always associate it with slavery and racism and it just wasn't talked about much? Or did Jesse send out a memo one day?

It was pretty benign because racism was still accepted in society. Today it isn't.

 

[cstu]

As to the bolded, not much. But I can distinguish between them and the men who fought bravely and died for the German armed forces. And if I was German, I would be proud of many of them, while despising the SS and the Nazis.

But you wouldn't fly the Nazi flag.

 

[TPW]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

 

[Proust Loves Cake]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

It's not a red herring when the banner of hatred is flown in service of slavery, white supremacy, mass murders, you know....trivial things some white southerners don't want to acknowledge.

 

[chauncey]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

Washington Redskins

Fat shaming

False rape claims

Ariana Grande

Sanctuary Cities

Otis vs Woz

Banning fireworks

...

 

[Jayrod]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

People want to be distracted. It's not some conspiracy, we just don't like to think for very long.

 

[The Commish]

Well....I THOUGHT people were learning about this country's history. Looks like that bit the dust in favor or rewriting it. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. This IS the FFA.

I wouldn't be surprised that you thought wrong either, but why is that the fault of the FFA?

In general, I'm pretty bullish on the FFA. It wasn't it's fault. I should know better.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

Good point. If only we hadn't removed the confederate flag from the SC capitol building, all of those problems would have been solved. Now that opportunity has been lost forever.

 

[jon_mx]

Just so I understand the new teaching...we're saying that most, if not all, of those who fought on the Confederate side did so because they either owned slaves or fought simply for the right to own slaves?

There's now very little chance that most were fighting to keep the Federal gov't from dictating their lives from afar (much like the Revolutionary War)?

Just stupid.

 

[Parrothead]

finally racism is over! I don't know how I slept with that rag flying in South Carolina..

 

[Poncho]

finally racism is over! I don't know how I slept with that rag flying in South Carolina..

lol its just a flap people. Crazy what white people get all bent up about now a days.....

 

[TobiasFunke]

When exactly did the flag become a racist symbol? It was pretty benign for as long as I could remember, then suddenly the controversy arose around state flags in the '90s. I don't recall it being discussed before then. Did the majority of blacks always associate it with slavery and racism and it just wasn't talked about much? Or did Jesse send out a memo one day?

I think this is something that has gotten worse over the last 20 years because of that flag's consistant use among white supremicists, hate groups, KKK, etc. If it weren't consistantly being adopted by those kinds of groups the Southern Pride angle would almost certainly be far more acceptable.

The reason it first re-emerged in the south was as a symbol of opposition to civil rights and integration. The Skynyrd/Dukes of Hazzard period was really more of a pause in its usage as a symbol of hatred and racism than its default meaning.

 

[Proust Loves Cake]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

It's not a red herring when the banner of hatred is flown in service of slavery, white supremacy, mass murders, you know....trivial things some white southerners don't want to acknowledge.

And you sure did force those nasty Southerners to acknowledge it, by golly. Now the flag is coming down. The South is defeated again. Great! What next?

Are we now going to address other serious issues facing this nation or are we going to continue arguing about social matters?

Feeling persecuted much? The South won this morning, not lost. The overwhelming interests of the good people of the South are driven to be industrious, ethical, and humane. The political representatives, from the governor, to the senate, to the House of Representatives, all of whom support their respective constituencies, predominantly white republicans, overwhelmingly have made it clear the flag is a symbol no longer representative of The state. South Carolina scored a massive blowout victory for the south.

Besides, I find it interesting that you make it sound as though racism and other "social matters" are unimportant in a society. If I misunderstood, why can't we support change in service of human rights and social issues AND face other serious issues?

 

[Parrothead]

just to be sure racism is wiped out, we should make the flag illegal..

 

[Slapdash]

just to be sure racism is wiped out, we should make the flag illegal..

It turned me into a newt!

 

[Parrothead]

just to be sure racism is wiped out, we should make the flag illegal..

It turned me into a newt!

Newt? racist bastid!

 

[Ditka Butkus]

Everybody Sing Together!

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again

Altogether shout it now
There's no one who can doubt it now
So let's tell the world about it now

Happy days are here again
Your cares and troubles are gone
They're be no more from now on

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again

So long sad time, so long bad time
We are rid of you at last
Howdy gay times, cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again

Altogether shout it now
There's no one who can doubt it now
So let's tell the world about it now

Happy days are here again
Your cares and troubles are gone
They're be no more from now on

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again

 

[TPW]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

It's not a red herring when the banner of hatred is flown in service of slavery, white supremacy, mass murders, you know....trivial things some white southerners don't want to acknowledge.

And you sure did force those nasty Southerners to acknowledge it, by golly. Now the flag is coming down. The South is defeated again. Great! What next?

Are we now going to address other serious issues facing this nation or are we going to continue arguing about social matters?

Feeling persecuted much? The South won this morning, not lost. The overwhelming interests of the good people of the South are driven to be industrious, ethical, and humane. The political representatives, from the governor, to the senate, to the House of Representatives, all of whom support their respective constituencies, predominantly white republicans, overwhelmingly have made it clear the flag is a symbol no longer representative of The state. South Carolina scored a massive blowout victory for the south.

Besides, I find it interesting that you make it sound as though racism and other "social matters" are unimportant in a society. If I misunderstood, why can't we support change in service of human rights and social issues AND face other serious issues?

I have absolutely zero interest in the disposition of the Confederate flag. None. Take it or leave it. I do not care. I do have an interest in the disposition of this country's long-term well-being for my children's sake.

The act of displaying any flag of any kind in and of itself impinges on absolutely nobody's rights so the argument that it's a matter of utmost significance is simply ludicrous. What's happening today is nothing more than a politically motivated distraction from far more dangerous problems. Could we spend a lot of time dwelling on "social justice" and still face other serious issues? Sure. Will it happen? Not a chance. Bread and circuses...

 

[Parrothead]

why do we call confederate flag waving southerners "Good 'Ole Boys"? time for that term to go as well..

 

[Proust Loves Cake]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

It's not a red herring when the banner of hatred is flown in service of slavery, white supremacy, mass murders, you know....trivial things some white southerners don't want to acknowledge.

And you sure did force those nasty Southerners to acknowledge it, by golly. Now the flag is coming down. The South is defeated again. Great! What next?

Are we now going to address other serious issues facing this nation or are we going to continue arguing about social matters?

Feeling persecuted much? The South won this morning, not lost. The overwhelming interests of the good people of the South are driven to be industrious, ethical, and humane. The political representatives, from the governor, to the senate, to the House of Representatives, all of whom support their respective constituencies, predominantly white republicans, overwhelmingly have made it clear the flag is a symbol no longer representative of The state. South Carolina scored a massive blowout victory for the south.Besides, I find it interesting that you make it sound as though racism and other "social matters" are unimportant in a society. If I misunderstood, why can't we support change in service of human rights and social issues AND face other serious issues?

I have absolutely zero interest in the disposition of the Confederate flag. None. Take it or leave it. I do not care. I do have an interest in the disposition of this country's long-term well-being for my children's sake.

The act of displaying any flag of any kind in and of itself impinges on absolutely nobody's rights so the argument that it's a matter of utmost significance is simply ludicrous. What's happening today is nothing more than a politically motivated distraction from far more dangerous problems. Could we spend a lot of time dwelling on "social justice" and still face other serious issues? Sure. Will it happen? Not a chance. Bread and circuses...

Who said the flag was impinging on any rights? There are many issues of critical importance that operate outside the realm of "rights" issues. Pick a problem in the world, society, your community...one can't just ignore important issues because there's something "more dangerous" problems out there. But, while a flag itself does not impinge on rights per se, if you don't think symbolism and representation are important issues, then you are ignoring how symbols confer an identity and permission to do all sorts of terrible things, like what Roof did and the banner under which all terrorism functions. Removing a symbol that stands for slavery, that was the very moniker of white power, surely you can see why its removal as a state symbol is important.

 

[Thunderlips]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

It's not a red herring when the banner of hatred is flown in service of slavery, white supremacy, mass murders, you know....trivial things some white southerners don't want to acknowledge.

And you sure did force those nasty Southerners to acknowledge it, by golly. Now the flag is coming down. The South is defeated again. Great! What next?

Are we now going to address other serious issues facing this nation or are we going to continue arguing about social matters? I predict that transsexual rights will be the next great concern of imminent importance. Everyone knows that what the military really needs these days is more cross dressers. Heck, we could even start a new unit called "The Queen Berets".

Post Civil War, the North sought to heal this country as quickly as possible by not administrating heavy handed retribution against the Southern Insurgents. It's good today that some of the scions of those Southern Rebels sought to further heal this country by abandoning a flag that many saw as a symbol of racial anxiety and animosity.

 

[Thunderlips]

why do we call confederate flag waving southerners "Good 'Ole Boys"? time for that term to go as well..

Why? They're never meaning no harm.

 

[Parrothead]

why do we call confederate flag waving southerners "Good 'Ole Boys"? time for that term to go as well..

Why? They're never meaning no harm.

always in trouble with the law.. since the day they was born

 

[timschochet]

why do we call confederate flag waving southerners "Good 'Ole Boys"? time for that term to go as well..

Why? They're never meaning no harm.

always in trouble with the law.. since the day they was born

Do you guys know any other tunes? This one has been way overplayed in this thread.

 

[Thunderlips]

why do we call confederate flag waving southerners "Good 'Ole Boys"? time for that term to go as well..

Why? They're never meaning no harm.

always in trouble with the law.. since the day they was born

Do you guys know any other tunes? This one has been way overplayed in this thread.

Sorry, Bro. We're just trying to make our way, the only way we know how. If that's just a little bit more than you'll allow...so be it.

 

[roadkill1292]

We're starting to repeat jokes in this thread.

 

[TobiasFunke]

We're starting to repeat jokes in this thread.

Yup, surprising to see so many people in this thread seemingly stuck in the past.

 

[Poncho]

We're starting to repeat jokes in this thread.

Yup, surprising to see so many people in this thread seemingly stuck in the past.

This topic is boring, bout time for all the white folk here to get together and whine about something else that offends them.....

 

[Mjolnirs]

I also want to state that it is absurd to regard Confederate soldiers as criminals. These men, many of them quite heroic, are not just part of southern heritage, they are a part of American heritage, and I am proud to be associated with most of them. They fought bravely and honorably as Americans and they are NOT criminals or traitors.

Confederate history IS American history. Confederate veterans received the same benefits as Union veterans.

38 U.S.C.

United States Code, 2010 Edition

Title 38 - VETERANS BENEFITS

PART II - GENERAL BENEFITS

PART IIGENERAL BENEFITS

CHAPTER 15PENSION FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH OR FOR SERVICE

SUBCHAPTER IGENERAL

§1501. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter

(3) The term Civil War veteran includes a person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, and the term active military or naval service includes active service in those forces.

SUBCHAPTER IIVETERANS PENSIONS

Service Pension

[§1510. Vacant]

Codification

Prior to renumbering of sections 501 to 543 of this chapter as sections 1501 to 1543 by Pub. L. 10283, §5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406, section 510 of this chapter, Pub. L. 85857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1135, which provided monthly pension for persons who served in military or naval forces of Confederate States of America, was repealed by Pub. L. 94169, title I, §101(2)(F), Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1014, effective Jan. 1, 1976.

SUBCHAPTER IIIPENSIONS TO SURVIVING SPOUSES AND CHILDREN

Wars Before World War I

§1532. Surviving spouses of Civil War veterans

(a) The Secretary shall pay to the surviving spouse of each Civil War veteran who met the service requirements of this section a pension at the following monthly rate:

§1533. Children of Civil War veterans

Whenever there is no surviving spouse entitled to pension under section 1532 of this title, the Secretary shall pay to the children of each Civil War veteran who met the service requirements of section 1532 of this title a pension at the monthly rate of $73.13 for one child, plus $8.13 for each additional child, with the total amount equally divided.

CHAPTER 23BURIAL BENEFITS

§2306. Headstones, markers, and burial receptacles

(a) The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, appropriate Government headstones or markers at the expense of the United States for the unmarked graves of the following:

(1) Any individual buried in a national cemetery or in a post cemetery.

(2) Any individual eligible for burial in a national cemetery (but not buried there), except for those persons or classes of persons enumerated in section 2402(a)(4), (5), and (6) of this title.

(3) Soldiers of the Union and Confederate Armies of the Civil War.

 

[joffer]

So now the flag is being removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol. Hurrah.

What will be the next red herring issue to distract the American public from record debt accumulation, a 38 year low labor force participation rate, increasing political and financial instability abroad, and a surging violent crime rate in US cities?

Good point. If only we hadn't removed the confederate flag from the SC capitol building, all of those problems would have been solved. Now that opportunity has been lost forever.

i think the debt reduction bill was scheduled in the SC state house right after this vote, but they waited too long. :(

 

[Joe Summer]

It's funny how the two sides have seemingly switched personalities. The parting on the left is now parting on the right.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

GB the Onion:

http://www.theonion.com/graphic/pros-and-cons-flying-confederate-flag-50808

PROS

• Bold way to display distorted, painstakingly cherry-picked heritage
• Stirring symbol of South’s never-surrender attitude 150 years after South’s surrender
• It’s already all the way up there on flagpole
• Simplest way to let others know your state ranks in bottom quintile of all quality-of-life metrics
• Eliminates uncomfortable feeling of having to say aloud what you think of African Americans
• Political correctness should not get in the way of being on the wrong side of history
• Without it, nation might forget racism ever happened in U.S.

CONS

• Can’t fully grasp its incredible grandeur like you can on a bedspread or garage door
• May arouse negative feelings among blacks regarding 19th-century states’ rights, currency inflation, and sectarianism
• U.S. flag already represents history of entrenched prejudice just as well
• Eliminates tedious raising, lowering, and triangular-folding tasks
• Has always been sad reminder of The Dukes Of Hazzard’s cancellation
• Could give accurate representation as to what kind of person is flying it
• There still plenty of other ways to make nation’s black population feel despised, derided, and inferior

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I think it's strange to see it flying over a State House. Considering those states left the US during the Civil War, I have no problems with them taking the flag down from State Houses.

But if Jim Bob Johnson in middle of nowhere Alabama wants to fly it, go for it. I think he's crazy, but whatever.

Don't they have a stupid bear flag flying over the statehouse in California? I think that's dumb too.

Every state flag is dumb.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

• May arouse negative feelings among blacks regarding 19th-century states’ rights, currency inflation, and sectarianism