The Confederate Battle Flag is Coming For You

The Latino Victory Fund, a Democratic group released this video ad featuring a pickup truck flying a Confederate flag and sporting a bumper sticker for Republican Ed Gillespie chasing a group of minority children.

I am not surprised to see a video like this injected into the 2017 gubernatorial election in Virginia.

What do you think?

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39 comments… add one
  • Nick Nov 21, 2017 @ 10:38

    I think that the confederate flag is not racist. It is true the some people are but just because you fly a confederate flag does not mean you are racist. Banning the flag ain’t going to do anything. I think that you should let people fly what they want and people who don’t like it can get over it. Its our right as a citizen to fly what we want, wear what we want, and say what we want.It is not a symbol of hate or racism. It’s a symbol of pride and american history.

  • Jacksonian Nov 1, 2017 @ 5:25

    Anderson – Boo hoo.

    Go read up on the Max Cleland-Saxby Chambliss Georgia US Senate race and get back to us.

  • andersonh1 Oct 31, 2017 @ 16:50

    That is one of the most disgusting smear ads I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying something.

  • Jacksonian Oct 31, 2017 @ 5:16

    Mr. Jacobson – Gillespie is a Republican; a nominee of the party that has embraced racist white southerners since Nixon and Atwater’s Southern Strategy in 1968. Pretending otherwise is just that, pretense.

    You may want to wish it away, but it is undeniable.

    • Eric A. Jacobson Oct 31, 2017 @ 5:49

      That’s rich. If you insist on playing this game, let me dig up some gems of candidates like Carter and Clinton (and even Howard Dean) courting those same “racist white southerners” right along with their Confederate flags. Please stop acting as if racism and bigotry is the domain of a single group that you can easily identify to make you better about your understanding of things.

      • Jacksonian Oct 31, 2017 @ 19:16

        Really? How’s this:

        “You start out in 1954 by saying, “Nigger, nigger, nigger.” By 1968 you can’t say “nigger”—that hurts you, backfires. So you say stuff like, uh, forced busing, states’ rights, and all that stuff, and you’re getting so abstract. Now, you’re talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you’re talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is, blacks get hurt worse than whites.… “We want to cut this,” is much more abstract than even the busing thing, uh, and a hell of a lot more abstract than “Nigger, nigger.”

        Ring a bell, reb?

        Source:
        https://www.thenation.com/article/exclusive-lee-atwaters-infamous-1981-interview-southern-strategy/

        Note the audio of the late Atwater.

        So, what’s next? The South rebelled because of tariffs in 1861, or something equally inane?

        Typical neo-confed from a “taker” state with the highest infant mortality rates in the nation; as always, at one’s feet or at one’s throat.

        • Eric A. Jacobson Nov 1, 2017 @ 4:27

          “Ring a bell, reb?”

          “Typical neo-confed from a “taker” state with the highest infant mortality rates in the nation; as always, at one’s feet or at one’s throat.”

          I see that I have struck a nerve, as you have now launched a personal attack on me instead of addressing the Democrats (and ones who are still very much alive) long history with “racist white southerners.” I also love your depiction of Tennessee. Well done. You have no idea what I really think, but you certainly think you do. You might take a look at my body of work for a better understanding, and in the meantime I would suggest to stop hiding behind a fake name. Mine is clearly listed.

          • Jacksonian Nov 1, 2017 @ 6:09

            What happened to “This will be my final post, as my intent was never to clutter Kevin’s blog. He knows how I feel about him, and so I will respectfully withdraw”? Just can’t quit, can you?

            You’re status seems clear, given this statement:

            “I am quite angry. I am quite angry that the eight people who died today in NYC will not get nearly the attention that one person who died in Charlottesville has. Why might that be? If the media is still talking about the eight people who died today (including their names) and you (MSB) are still posting about them, then I will admit I was wrong and out of bounds. But I suspect most people won’t even know their names. I feel quite strongly about this as I had a family member killed on 9/11.”

            Wonder why you’re so angry about the media’s coverage of Charlottesville, reb … Perhaps because it exposes something you’d rather keep hidden about the GOP base in Virginia?

            And as far as Tennessee being a taker state – 15th of 50, roughly $1.50 in federal spending for every dollar contributed:

            https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/05/which-states-are-givers-and-which-are-takers/361668/

            Plus third-highest in the nation in terms of SNAP benefits, roughly 20 percent of the state’s population. Impressive self-reliance there, reb.

            Tennessee in terms of infant mortality – again, 15th highest in the nation, 6.8 infant deaths per 1,000 life births … so whatever it is y’all do with all that sweet green from the taxpayers of California, New York, etc., it’s not taking care of the most vulnerable in your “community,” despite all the “pro-life” shibboleths, is it, reb?

            https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/infant-death-rate/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Infant%20Deaths%20per%201,000%20Live%20Births%22,%22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D

            Guess it did ring a bell … or maybe a firebell in the night?

            • Kevin Levin Nov 1, 2017 @ 6:14

              Look, I know Eric personally. Either you stop with this nonsense or I can guarantee that this will be YOUR final comment.

    • BPS Nov 1, 2017 @ 7:57

      How many southern democrat congressmen, senators, or governors switched from democrat to republican after 1968? Can you name one, other than Strom Thurmond? And even Strom embraced the natural rights/natural law philosophy of the republican party, and rejected racism. He supported Clarence Thomas’s appointment to the supreme court, even though Thomas was married to a white woman. Would a hardcore racist/white supremacist have done that?

  • Eric A. Jacobson Oct 30, 2017 @ 17:17

    It is disgusting. It implies to children, minorities, and Democrats/liberals in general that this is what ALL conservatives are and what they stand for. To tar every conservative with the battle flag is a revolting portrayal. Its implication to children and minorities is especially galling.

    Gross doesn’t even begin to describe it. And the argument that Trump (since he was mentioned in the ad) has a dirty mouth or posts bad things on Twitter falls right into the category of two wrongs don’t make a right.

    Is this really where we are headed? Can we just lie so casually?

    • Msb Oct 31, 2017 @ 4:39

      So has Gillespie rejected support from The neo-Confederates that agree with Corey Stewart?
      Racism is now inextricably part of conservatives’ baggage. That’s quite bad enough.

      • Eric A. Jacobson Oct 31, 2017 @ 5:44

        “So has Gillespie rejected support from The neo-Confederates that agree with Corey Stewart?”

        So rather than address you the issue of whether the video is appropriate, you turn it around on Gillespie. Here’s the truth: he can reject it, disavow it, say he hates it, and some on the left will still accuse him, Trump, and people like me of being racists, sexists, and homophobic, etc. It doesn’t matter whether it is true or not. Sadly, many on the left have become the very thing they hate – angry and filled with venom and accusations. At least I will admit that is true of right. Can you admit as much?

        • Msb Oct 31, 2017 @ 14:53

          The racist base is driving the conservative car. And so far, all conservatives who object to that have done is verbally deplore it, except a couple who are quitting politics. That’s a fact, not venom. Anybody who isn’t angry about the state of things in the US isn’t paying attention.

          • Eric A. Jacobson Oct 31, 2017 @ 16:19

            “The racist base is driving the conservative car.”

            Opinion, nothing more. I suspect this is a case of confirmation bias, and you simply find things to support what you already believe. Your commentary is virtually identical to conservatives who criticized Obama endless and needlessly.

            “Anybody who isn’t angry about the state of things in the US isn’t paying attention.”

            I am quite angry. I am quite angry that the eight people who died today in NYC will not get nearly the attention that one person who died in Charlottesville has. Why might that be? If the media is still talking about the eight people who died today (including their names) and you (MSB) are still posting about them, then I will admit I was wrong and out of bounds. But I suspect most people won’t even know their names. I feel quite strongly about this as I had a family member killed on 9/11.

            This will be my final post, as my intent was never to clutter Kevin’s blog. He knows how I feel about him, and so I will respectfully withdraw.

          • Jerry McKenzie Nov 1, 2017 @ 5:27

            Yep. I second that MSB.

          • Kristoffer Nov 1, 2017 @ 13:47

            I don’t second that.

  • Maryann Germaine Oct 30, 2017 @ 16:50

    Neither Northam nor Gillespie has personally managed to generate much excitement for the governor’s race here in VA, but the ads, mailings and rhetoric sure are nauseating.

    OTOH at least one small positive change happened here in Northern VA just last week, at the end of several years of contentious debate:

    Fairfax County school district votes to rename J.E.B. Stuart High
    http://wapo.st/2z9O0pM

  • Real patriot Oct 30, 2017 @ 12:16

    Unbelievable how these liberal turds can get away with the lies being told about the confederate flag. They have no idea what it really stands for, and for those of you who don’t know, it has nothing to do with racism! Read the history books fools, Sherman was hailed as a hero, when he was really a war criminal, who should have been prosecuted.

    • Jimmy Dick Oct 30, 2017 @ 14:48

      Please enlighten us using actual facts. You probably don’t know what one is. You also displayed your cowardice in using an alias instead of your real name. I expect that from people who don’t know history and choose ignorance to prop up their racism.

    • Kevin Dally Oct 30, 2017 @ 15:42

      Real Patriot: I know what it (CBF) stands for…it lead men into battle to help the Confederate Government gain independence to perpetuate slavery forever. Sherman had a big hand in STOPPING that goal!

    • Jerry McKenzie Oct 30, 2017 @ 20:51

      He made Georgia howl and went where ever he wanted because Dixie stubbornly refused to surrender in order to bring more death and destruction upon itself. That’s criminal.

    • Rob in CT Oct 31, 2017 @ 4:44

      Nothing says “Patriot” like defending the Confederacy. LOL.

  • David McCallister Oct 30, 2017 @ 11:10

    Confederophobia hit piece demonizing the CBF.

    • Andy Hall Oct 30, 2017 @ 11:31

      If you notice, the person who posted this to YouTube titled it as being “anti-white.” It’s interesting how, for some people (like that poster) the Confederate flag is a symbol of being white. How did we get to that point, exactly?

      • Sea Skimer Nov 15, 2017 @ 10:10

        I don’t see the confederate flag as symbol of white people. It seems more a symbol of southerners in general.

        As to how it “became” a symbol of white people is rather easy. We live in ever increasing anti-white nation. Whites are to some (mostly progressive lefties) all that is evil. To take any stance as a white person on the matter of race that is not “whites are evil and all of non-whites problems are the fault of the white man” is to be racist. It is to be a complete 100% kill the niggers Klan racist. To take any pride in being white or the actions of white people is to be on par with Hitler. To the anti-white coward, the actions of the southerns during the civil war is an example of the views and wishes of all whites. In essence, the poster of the vid has come to understand the views of the anti-white coward and has acted with those views in mind. The confederate battle flag is a symbol of whiteness, which is basically white supremacy, which is basically the view of all whites that do not think whites are evil. Or at least according to the anti-white coward.

        Hope this helped.

        • Andy Hall Nov 15, 2017 @ 11:21

          It did help explain your view that white people and southerners are oppressed. Thanks for sharing that.

          • Sea Skimer Nov 16, 2017 @ 6:59

            ??? You get I think white people and southerns are oppressed from that? Wow, alright.

            • Andy Hall Nov 16, 2017 @ 10:37

              Yes, that’s exactly the way I read it. Your statement, “we live in ever increasing anti-white nation” seems the be a pretty good indicator of that.

            • Sea Skimer Nov 16, 2017 @ 11:49

              So you get ” I think white people and southerns are oppressed from that” from “we live in ever increasing anti-white nation”. It may be we are having problem understanding. I don’t think whites are oppressed in the US however there has been an increase in anti-white views in the US. Sorry if that was not clear.

        • HankC Nov 17, 2017 @ 6:22

          ‘To take any pride in being white ‘ – how many ‘drops’ before one is not white?

          (hopefully you know about the ‘one drop’ rule.)

          More to the point, why does one ‘take pride in being white? why not just take pride in being human rather than for the skin color in which you were born?

  • Andy Hall Oct 30, 2017 @ 10:51

    It’s gross, that’s what.

    But it is also what happens when Confederate fanboys and -girls have spent years crafting and refining the message that Confederate is synonymous with white, and that people who object to Confederate iconography — no matter how measured or nuanced — are actively working to destroy whites, figuratively and perhaps literally. Corey Stewart should have been swept into the dustbin of political trivia, but in fact he came very close to winning the GOP primary in Virginia, and Gillespie is desperate to get Stewart’s voters to turn out for him instead of staying home on elections day. The Latino Victory Fund video sets an ugly milestone, but it’s on a trail that’s been set out by people like Stewart, Gillespie, Jason Kessler, and Matt Heimbach.

    • kew Oct 30, 2017 @ 13:16

      What is gross? The ad or the “anti white” title? Or both?

      • Andy Hall Oct 30, 2017 @ 14:05

        “Gross” was my initial (and visceral) reaction to the framing of the ad — imminent, hyperbolic fear. It’s almost a reverse Willie Horton ad, raised to the second power. I would have hoped for something better from a group supporting Northam.

        There’s no question that some of those yahoos really are that violent and threatening. I just hate the idea that this is getting mainstreamed into political discourse in the form of a campaign spot. It gets coarser and coarser.

        • Msb Oct 30, 2017 @ 15:40

          I hate it being mainstreamed, too, but that’s happening because some of these yahoos are that violent and threatening. At least one of the white nationalists in Shelbyville was making jokes about Heather Heyer’s murder. I’m sorry that the filth that Trump has unleashed is washing around kids.
          (Nitpicking: do people sleep in hijabs?)

          • Eric A. Jacobson Oct 30, 2017 @ 17:28

            “I’m sorry that the filth that Trump has unleashed is washing around kids.”

            Please. This is just dumbing the entire issue of race and race relations down to Trump. It was there before he was elected. If nothing else, we are finally confronting it on a national level – really confronting it.

            Here’s a revelation. Shelbyville was a joke, and Murfreesboro was cancelled. The white nationalist fury isn’t quite what some people think it is. I live in Middle Tennessee (my daughter lives in Murfreesboro) and what happened this weekend wasn’t on anyone’s radar except for the media looking to stoke a fire where there wasn’t one. Well to be clear, the national media. The local media, for the most part, refused to give those clowns any attention.

            • Msb Oct 31, 2017 @ 4:27

              Trump is the first candidate to be endorsed by the Klan and neo-Nazis to occupy the White House. Not the start of racism, obviously, but a new chapter. Perhaps you have missed the stories about Trump slogans and slurs repeated to kids by their schoolmates.
              Heather Heyer remains dead and these yahoos continue to be violent, so I don’t regard any of these rallies as minor, though I am heartened by the much larger turnout of counterprotestors.

            • Kristoffer Nov 1, 2017 @ 14:13

              Msb, didn’t Reagan get endorsed by the KKK, only to reject them? He still made it to the White House.

              Holocaust scholar Harry Mazal once noted that “The Nazis did not have to make any sense.”: http://www.phdn.org/archives/holocaust-history.org/questions/short-people.shtml
              Their modern-day descendants don’t either, when it comes to Trump. They enjoy a guy who’s denounced David Duke and the KKK dozens of times going all the way back to 1991: http://www.newstandardpress.com/the-myth-of-trump-and-the-kkk/

              And that’s not the only point of ignored conflict. IREHR’s analysis got it right on both Trump’s effective relation to white supremacist slime, and on the fact that this is not the first time we’ve seen a resurgence of the slime: https://www.irehr.org/2017/08/16/standing-crossroads-analysis-events-charlottesville-virginia/
              “All of these facts are unchallengeable. Plus, there is more. But the mistake is to conclude that Trump caused the white supremacist growth. Rather, it is IREHR’s analysis that Trump is the result, not the cause. Further, the national socialists among the white supremacists, and there are many, are ultimately opposed to Trump’s “dollar is supreme” version of capitalism. Further, many of them consider themselves environmentalists. While the appreciate Trump’s support, they oppose his coastline-eating policies.
              There have been other qualitative leaps by white supremacists in the past four decades. In the aftermath of a Klan and neo-Nazi armed attack on anti-Klan protesters that left five dead and many wounded in Greensboro, North Carolina in November 1979, and the subsequent failure to convict any of the killers, the active white supremacist crowd grew by leaps and bounds in that state. Within a couple of years, the armed and dangerous White Patriot Party was one thousand strong in that state. Much murder and mayhem later, the white-ists were curbed by intense organizing by the North Carolinians Against Racist and Religious Violence, and ultimately by a Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit.
              As I spelled out in my 2009 book, Blood and Politics: The History of the White Nationalist Movement from the Margins to the Mainstream (available from IREHR), another leap occurred after 400 racists, led by two Klan factions, stopped a small inter-racial “brotherhood” march in Forsyth County in 1987. Many Klan rallies stomped across North Georgia in the aftermath. And David Duke was brought out of semi-retirement and two years later was elected to the Louisiana state assembly.”

      • Andy Hall Oct 30, 2017 @ 14:11

        Yeah, and I’m also disgusted that there seems to be real traction now to the idea that the Confederate flag and Bobby Lee are now symbols of my identity as a white southerner, whether I choose them or not. Eff that.

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