Chris Hayes Confronts Mark Sanford About Confederate Flag: Flying ‘Symbol of Tyranny’

[RandySF]

The shooting in Charleston has revived a national debate over the Confederate flag flying at the South Carolina state capitol and the question of why the Confederate flag is still embraced in the state, especially given how the Charleston gunman had a Confederate flag license plate.

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes confronted former South Carolina governor and current congressman Mark Sanford about why a “symbol of tyranny” and “white supremacy” and “domination” continues to fly from the capitol to this day.

Sanford argued that to another part of the population, “it’s a symbol of heritage” and state’s rights and the sacrifices of their ancestors. Hayes shot back that there’s clearly a connection between the symbolism of that flag and the horrible, racist actions of the Charleston killer.

Sanford insisted the shooter is an “outlier” and talked about making racial progress in South Carolina in other ways. Hayes was just really bothered by the strange resistance to taking it down in the first place.


http://www.mediaite.com/tv/chris-hayes-confronts-mark-sanford-about-confederate-flag-flying-symbol-of-tyranny/

[merrily]

1. Every racist POS and every politician who panders to the racist POS, claims states' rights.

The articles of secession of South Carolina are online. The only right of states they are concerned with is slavery. The articles of secession of every other state that seceded are essentially the same.

The "states rights" shibboleth was used to justified slavery and extending slavery to the territories. After emancipation, it was used to justify Jim Crow. After the Civil Rights Act, it was used to justify not making Martin Luther King Day a holiday *cough* Goldwater and McCain *cough* and keeping the confederate flag flying in both public and private places and a host of other "good ole days of slavery" things.

If you are proud of that "heritage," nostalgic for the days before the Civil War, fuck off and STFU. You, too, Antebellum. eom

[haikugal]

4. That's all 'States Rights' has ever meant....

It's always been synonymous with racist hate, always! Neo-confederates and their 'heritage' can STFU!

This old white woman will fight you to the end, creeps!

[Hoyt]

7. Yep, the right to discriminate.

[merrily]

9. And without having to admit your actual motivation.

Cloaking that racist shit in the tenth amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Thanks for the reminder, missed this tonight, intend to watch the repeat.

Though I still can't believe the voters elected Mark Sanford after his egregious antics as governor.

[tblue37]

5. IOKIYAR. nt

[Rhiannon12866]

8. I just happened to be in SC just before that election and saw the campaign signs all over

It never dawned on me that anybody would vote for him - especially instead of Stephen Colbert's sister. I take your point.

[KelleyKramer]

3. SC elected Strom Thurman as their senator for about 50 years

That should tell you all you need to know

If you still have any questions, please see the Confederate flag currently flying at full mast at the SC capital

[olddots]

6. this States Rights bullshit is creating 50 nation states

the big pig bizz will be very happy as the country desolves .

[SoapBox]

10. Fuck you Sanford!

Lying...cheating...POS scumbag.

[Juicy_Bellows]

11. If that is his feeling - time to abandon your heritage!

Simple as that, his explanation of heritage doesn't hold water.

[lovemydog]

12. I wonder if anyone will march to the State Capitol

to demand that flag be removed.

In Germany, no one can fly a Nazi flag. It's against the law.

'A symbol of heritage' my ass. It's a symbol of slavery and secession from the union.

[JDPriestly]

13. That flag is a symbol of treason. The rebels were traitors.

Sorry if it was your ancestor. But the rebels were traitors to the US.

[Calista241]

16. Actually they were all pardoned.

The Amnesty Proclamation of 1863 offered pardons to everyone not in gov't office. Gov't officials had to apply for individual pardons, and 99% of them were granted. Only a handful of people were ever tried and convicted of anything to do with treason or involvement in the civil war.

[CTyankee]

17. Yes.

[samsingh]

14. kick

[deminks]

15. Now there is a real pillar of society!

Not. I tend to toss out everything he says. Bet the Family told him to say that.

[progressoid]

18. And these assholes praise the constitution and how great the "UNITED" States are

while embracing the heritage that stood for a divided Nation and a dissolution of the Constitution.

Fuck them.