The Rebel Flag and Joe Wilson

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With the talk of Joe Wilson and former President Jimmy Carter calling him a racist I looked for some info on the flag because of some comments here and in the media. First some quotes from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America "The Confederate Flag The "Confederate Flag", a 20th century combination of the Battle Flag's colors with the Second Navy Jack's design. Actual historical flags of the CSA have become more obscure. What is now often called "The Confederate Flag" or "The Confederate Battle Flag" (actually a combination of the battle flag's colors with the Second Navy Jack's design), despite its never having historically represented the CSA as a nation, has become a widely recognized symbol of the South. It is also called the "rebel", "Southern Cross, or "Dixie" flag, and is often incorrectly referred to as the "Stars and Bars" (the actual "Stars and Bars" is the First National Flag, which used an entirely different design). During the first half of the 20th century the Confederate flag enjoyed renewed popularity. During World War II some U.S. military units with Southern nicknames, or made up largely of Southerners, made the flag their unofficial emblem. The USS Columbia (CL-56) flew a Confederate Navy Ensign as a battle flag throughout combat in the South Pacific in World War II. This was done in honor of the ship's namesake, the capital city of South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union. Some soldiers carried Confederate flags into battle. After the Battle of Okinawa a Confederate flag was raised over Shuri Castle by a Marine from the self-styled "Rebel Company" (Company A of the 5th Marine Regiment). It was visible for miles and was taken down after three days on the orders of General Simon B. Buckner, Jr. (son of Confederate General Simon Buckner), who stated that it was inappropriate as "Americans from all over are involved in this battle". It was replaced with the flag of the United States.[15] The use of the flag by soldiers came under investigation after some African-American soldiers filed complaints.[citation needed]. By the end of World War II, the use of the Confederate flag in the military was rare.[16] However, the Confederate flag continues to be flown in an unofficial manner by many soldiers. It was seen many times in Korea, Vietnam, and in the Middle East." and "Controversy [edit] Displaying the flag The display of the Confederate flag remains a highly controversial and emotional topic, generally because of disagreement over the nature of its symbolism. Opponents of the Confederate flag see it as an overt symbol of racism, both for the history of racial slavery in the United States, and the establishment of Jim Crow laws by Southern states following the end of Reconstruction in late 1870s, enforcing racial segregation within state borders for nearly a century until the Civil Rights Movement. Some hate groups use the Southern Cross as one of the symbols associated with their organizations, including racist groups such as the Neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.[17] The flag is also sometimes used by separatist organizations such as the Aryan Nations. It is important to note, however, that the official flag of the Ku Klux Klan, as stated by this organization itself, is the flag of the United States of America, not the CSA battle flag. The Aryan Nation also uses the U.S. flag as well as the Christian flag displayed in some Protestant churches. Supporters of the flag view it as a symbol of heritage and the freedom of the distinct cultural tradition of the South from the oppression of Northern government. Also, in light of some schools and universities banning it as a racist symbol in their "speech codes", it could also be seen as a symbol of freedom of speech.[18] White southerners often see the flag as merely a symbol of southern culture, a "country music flag" without any political or racial connotation. An example of this would be the Bocephus Rebel Flag often sold at concerts performed by country music star Hank Williams, Jr or Kevin Fowler, heavy metal band Pantera, and southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. For some, the flag represents only a past era of southern sovereignty.[19] Some historical societies such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy also use the flag as part of their symbols. Also some rockabilly fans hold the Confederate flag as their emblem.[20] As a result of these varying perceptions, there have been a number of political controversies surrounding the use of the Confederate flag in Southern state flags, at sporting events, at Southern universities, and on public buildings. According to Civil War historian and native Southerner Shelby Foote, the flag traditionally represented the South's resistance to Northern political dominance; it became racially charged during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, when fighting against desegregation suddenly became the focal point of that resistance. Symbols of the Confederacy remain a contentious issue across the United States and have been debated vigorously in many Southern state legislatures over their civic placement since the 1990s." Now to my view I have southern heritage, 7 of my ancestors fought in the Civil war under the 'Rebel' flag. At least one served under the commanding General Robert E Lee. My Uncle was named Edward Lee in honor of the great man. My grandparents were born and their school years were lived in western Virginia, near the border of West Virginia which split from Virginia during the War. The War Between the States was a War about States Rights. Slavery was one of the Rights the South was fighting for. I am still a proponent of States Rights and a smaller Federal Government but that is another discussion. What started with 7 states and grew to 13, was a feeling that the United States Government was taking too much control. The War officially ended with the signing of a treaty between General Robert E Lee and General Ulysses S Grant, and honorable ending of a deadly confrontation between 'brothers'. The flags used by the southern states, and on the battlefields of the war, are a source of pride in the south as they were in wars throughout the history of the world. To some from the south they are displayed with pride and honor to the warriors who fought and died for their rights. Sometimes the US has gotten into unpopular and even what may be considered wrong wars, but even today we honor those who serve though we disagree with the cause of the server (looks to Iraq). Joe Wilson was one of those who kept the Confederate Battle Flag over the memorial to the fallen Confederate soldier. That does not make him a racist. Joe Wilson let slip verbally his opinion of what President Obama said, it had to do with the comments on the usage of the health system by illegal aliens. In other countries it is not uncommon for outbursts like that in political settings. Maybe the rules of order need to be looked at and changed. All I say is that honoring your heritage and your history does not make you a racist. I am German, and would proudly fly a German flag, but I would never support someone like Hitler and the Nazi regime. I am sure others from similar countries are proud of their land and people, even if some of the leaders took a stand that may have been wrong. I am as proud of my southern heritage as I am of my German heritage, but I will always deal with people as individuals and do my best not to have preconceived ideas of how they will act or their beliefs.