Despite mourning, statehouse Confederate battle flag remains at full staff

[tishaLA]

The Confederate flag flying at the Statehouse in Columbia became part of the Charleston church shooting story Thursday after the U.S. and South Carolina flags were lowered in mourning but the rebel banner was left flying at its full height.

State Sen. Clementa Pinckney, a black Democratic lawmaker and minister, was among the nine people killed by a lone gunman accused of committing a hate crime. The suspect, Dylann Roof, 21, also displayed Confederate sympathies in some social media photographs.

<...> Officials said the reason why the flag has not been touched is that its status is outlined, by law, as being under the protected purview of the full S.C. Legislature, which controls if and when it comes down. <...> The Post and Courier

[Xipe Totec]

1. You mean at full shaft. nt

[Kalidurga]

2. There is a petition to get rid of that atrocity once and for all.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026860691

[tishaLA]

3. Ever since I can remember there's been an effort to get rid of that atrocity

I remember it being a big deal during the primaries in either 2000 or 2004, too. In fact, I think there was a threat to boycott debates or campaigning in SC at one point

[Kalidurga]

4. I vaguely remember the threat of boycotts.

I get the urge to do that, but I think that we need to keep a presence in North Carolina if for no other reason than to let North Carolinian Liberals know they are not alone.

[ladjf]

5. If this report is true, it clearly shows who is running the State of South Carolina.

Think about it, the U.S. flag down, the State flag down, but the Rebel flag, their symbol of disrespect and rebellion show no
contempt for the current victims but for all African Americans.

This is a matter that should be passed on to the Justice Department. It would then go before the Supreme Court,who would either have to overrule the legislature or take sides with the arch racists running the legislature with the backing of those who elected them.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. I can't understand the mindset of wanting to keep that stupid flag flying

[tishaLA]

7. "Heritage." "Southern Pride."

They've given their answers here on DU repeatedly. To which I reply "Sedition." "Racism."

[Art_from_Ark]

8. I guess I'm lucky I didn't grow up with "Southern pride"

Admittedly, I started coming of age in Arkansas when we had progressive governors who were determined to put that part of our history behind us.

[sarisataka]

9. Might I suggest using some skil

to bring it down

[Abouttime]

10. Recall!

Nikki Haley should do the right thing and resign from office over her support of the confederate battle flag and all it has represented over the years. She supports the flag so she supports slavery, racism, and murder.
Tear down the flag, bury it. Haley needs to go. South Carolina needs a fresh start and Haley represents all the pain and misery of hundreds of years of white privilege the stars and bars reminds us of every time we see it. If Haley doesn't go willingly she must be forced out. Things need to change. Change starts at the top. Nikki Haley is blatantly racist because flying that flag is a political statement, it screams white supremacy.