You are not alone. But that doesn’t mean that people can’t make fun of them, as this little piece does.
I appreciate the allusion to performance art, although I still prefer seeing the Flaggers and an uunintentionally funny reality show. In either case, however, the act is getting old. Some of the characters have faded into the background (Tripp Lewis, Karen Cooper) or are shells of their former selves (Connie Chastain). No one invites them to community shad bakes anymore (no George Pickett/Fitz Lee flag, I guess). Oh, Susan Hathaway continues to use the group as a vehicle for self-promotion (catch her at Gettysburg on June 10, although you could learn some real history a few miles north that day) and Barry and Grayson do a great job of portraying angry old white men, but, really … it’s time to try something else instead of putting up another flag as if that means anything. That’s so old.
Some people see the Virginia Flaggers as the new face of Confederate heritage, an example of the movement’s future. That’s the same as suggesting that the movement has no future. Good enough.
Crossroads 
Troll level: Expert
I still can’t figure out why the flaggers insist on using the CBF with all of its KKK and racist overtones. As I’ve said before the Bonnie Blue Flag or the First National Flag do not carry the same negative connotations in modern-day Ametica. I found it interesting on a recent trip to Beaufort, SC, that an Episcopal church there had decided to replace all of the CBFs they had marking Confederate soldiers’ graves in the church cemetery with First National flags. They said they did this in response to the Charleston shootings. The VA Flaggers should do the same, unless they really are racists and the CBF best represents their white supremacists beliefs.
I can see your point, that the Stars and Bars is the actual flag of the Confederacy, rather than the battle flag, so perhaps it might be more appropriate to mark the graves of Confederate Veterans with that flag, or even just the flag of Virginia. However, what did actual Confederate Veterans use to mark the graves of their comrades? It might be worth investigating, and then going with what they did. Also, I am very much against not using a symbol or flag simply because of what someone else, who is completely irrelevant did while using that symbol. An analogy would be refusing to wear Beatles t shirts and not buy Beatles albums, because the Manson family were fans.
Do you feel the same about the swastika? It was in existence before the Nazis expropriated it. In fact, I believe there was one American Indian tribe that had it as an important symbol of their tribal identity. However, today, in most usages it is almost impossible to separate it from its National Socialist meaning of a government based on racial hatred and genocide. I understand that in a perfect world, we’d be able to separate symbol from those who misused a symbol, but unfortunately until the Second Coming we won’t live in such a world. In my mind the CBF has become an analogous symbol in our cultural context. Perhaps, I’m wrong, but that’s how I see it.
I realize these posts are very old, I just noticed them. No I don’t feel the same about the swastika. After I made that post, I’ve since discovered that my ancestors, both direct and collateral, served and fought for the Confederacy— therefore, they fought for and literally carried, the Battle Flag. On the basis of that, I have joined and become active in the Sons of Confederate Veterans. So for me, the Battle Flag is sacred and to be honored, for very personal reasons. So no, I do not feel the same about any other symbol or flag— except for perhaps the Marine Corps Emblem and the emblem of the US Army, both of which I served under. I hope that answers your question.
Uh oh. The Confederate Air Force just killed Corey Stewart’s already non-existant chances of becoming VA Governor:
http://wtop.com/prince-william-county/2017/04/confederate-flag-costs-stewart-colleagues-support-in-race-for-va-governor/
Changing hearts and minds …
Is Susan coming to Gettysburg to watch your panel discussion on WTS?
I dunno.
Quote: Oh, Susan Hathaway continues to use the group as a vehicle for self-promotion (catch her at Gettysburg on June 10, although you could learn some real history a few miles north that day) ————————————————————————————————————–
Rats oh darn: conflicting schedules will keep me from a chance meeting with the illustrious Susan. I guess I will have to settle for my original plans up the road — too late for a refund 🙂
They are ridiculous. They term anyone they don’t like, or is not from Virginia, a “scalawag.” And yet, Stewart is from Minnesota, but he’s their boy so he gets a pass.
Yesterday in New Orleans a familiar tactic from the VA Flaggers’ past showed up in the sky over Jazz Fest. It seems about as successful as when the flagheads have tried it, which is to say: not.
http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2017/04/monument_protest_banner_flies.html
This afternoon a plane is flying over the Fest with a banner advertising Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club. I’ll just leave it at that.
But no misspellings this time. That’s real progress, my friend.