I'M GIVING SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO BELIEVING THAT IT IS TIME TO FOLD THE FLAG AND PUT it away. Of course, I'm referring to what is called "The Confederate Flag" by the uninformed, although it is technically "The Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia" which said Army fought under General Robert E. Lee.

My reasoning is very direct. The Flag has been HIJACKED by American neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, and other White Supremacist and racist groups. These groups use the Flag to inflame passions on both sides of the racial discussion, and to generate physical conflict at public demonstrations. For millions of Americans the Flag now brings the same emotional revulsion that has been the case with the Nazi flag and Swastika ever since World War 2.

As a student of History, American History, and the Civil War in particular, I fully appreciate how many Southerners consider the Flag a symbol of their heritage, and feel that their display of the Flag is an innocent expression of Southern Pride. However, as I said above, the Flag as a symbol has been HIJACKED by evil racists.

AS A PRACTICAL MATTER having the Flag displayed ONLY by the White Supremacists at marches and demonstrations will facilitate having the Police quickly recognize the probable epicenter of trouble makers.

NOW, having said that, there needs to be a reciprocal concession by those who are offended by the Flag and by White Supremacists. STOP THE MOVEMENT TO REMOVE ALL STATUES AND MEMORIALS TO CONFEDERATE WAR VETERANS FROM THEIR CUSTOMARY PLACES IN PUBLIC VIEW.

Such efforts are perceived by those concerned with their Southern Heritage as a deliberate assault on their forebears and intentional humiliation of them personally.

A middle ground must be found by people of good will so they can defuse the effectiveness of extremist groups on both sides of the political spectrum.

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Carl in Tampa