A New Memorial Day Tradition — Burning The Confederate Flag

[mdbl]

Memorial Day, officially a day to honor Americans who died in war, has more broadly come to symbolize the unofficial start of summer. Many Americans will take a trip to the beach, barbeque or just enjoy a day off from work. Now there is an effort to create a new tradition — burning the Confederate flag.

The movement is being led by John Sims, an artist in Sarasota, Florida. Sims started the initiative last year when he organized confederate flag burnings in 13 cities across the South. The events were relatively small but generated fierce opposition from groups like the Sons of Confederate Veterans and significant media attention.

This year, Sims is upping the ante. One factor that reduced participation, he says, was that many people who were interested did not want to go out and purchase a Confederate flag. This year he’s created a downloadable “Burn and Bury” kits that allows people to print out their own Confederate flag at home, suitable for burning. Sims will also be broadcasting this year’s activities live online. ThinkProgress talked with Sims about how he got started, the reaction so far and his plans for the future.

More at:

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/05/29/3783061/memorial-day-burn-confederate-flag/

[mdbl]

2. As if the confederate flag doesn't do that already

[sulphurdunn]

14. Continue with this sort of sillyness

and it won't be long before FOX is accusing us of declaring war on Memorial Day, a fight the would be flag burners can't win.

[Quackers]

4. I could give two shits less about this guy wanting to burn a confederate flag but

Leave Memorial Day alone! It's not just about remembering the soldiers that have died in the wars over the years, it's about remembering my friends who didn't make it home like I did. Two girls in particular that died while I was in Iraq. One was 19 and the other was 25. I was really close with one of them and it destroys me to look back on the times we shared and realize I'll never see her again. So do what you want with a confederate flag but quit fucking with Memorial Day!

[mdbl]

5. I don't see how one lessens the impact of the other

but you're entitled to feel that way. The confederate flag represents many needless deaths.

[Quackers]

7. its called respect.

The only reason this guy chose to do this on Memorial Day is to get attention for himself. If it truly wasn't a big deal, then why not any other day?

It's just like when the KKK tried to turn MLK Day into their new recruitment drive day. It was done out of disrespect. I have no time for people who try to use these special days just to gain attention for themselves.

[mdbl]

8. I don't think the confederate flag deserves the respect you espouse

so we can just disagree.

[Quackers]

9. WTF are you talking about?!

Don't try to twist my words into something they're not! It is obvious from my post that I am talking about Memorial Day and not some damn confederate flag.

[sulphurdunn]

12. Memorial Day isn't about

the Confederate Flag or what it represents or deserves or doesn't deserve. It is about remembering the dead. We already have plenty of culture warriors on the right. We don't need them on the left.

[TxGrandpa]

11. Thank you!!!

Another excuse to forget those who gave their lives for others. A dishonor to them all. ---- A Vietnam Vet ----

[COLGATE4]

17. Thank you. My hat's off to you.

[Lars39]

6. It is the strangest thing to be in a cemetary putting out flags

on veterans' graves, and then run across a little confederate flag on a grave. My first reaction was wtf! but then I realized they were kin to each other.
In some cases one veteran wouldn't even have existed without the other.
Still strange that groups put flags on graves to honor confederate soldiers, though.

[mac56]

10. Imagine a country that experienced a treasonous uprising.

After years of battle, the insurrection was put down and the nation went forward as one. However, the descendents of the rebellion continued to flaunt the symbols of its failed efforts, in fact becoming vehemently angry when confronted about its inappropriate display.

Does this make a damn bit of sense to anyone?

[sulphurdunn]

13. Trying to turn Memorial Day into

a political issue is foolish and obtuse. It's something I might expect from the likes of Bill O'Reilly.

[Lee-Lee]

15. Don't politicize Memorial Day into something it isn't. Do this on "Confederate Memorial Day" instead

Yes, that is a real thing officially designated in most southern states.

That is is right day for this, not the real Memorial Day. It has a real meaning that needs to be observed and not turned into something totally different.

[sulphurdunn]

16. On Memorial Day

I pay homage to dead enemies as well as friends, family and comrades. It is appropriate for me to do that.

[GOLGO 13]

18. As a former member of the warrior class, I celebrate all our victories over our enemies.

The confederacy were traitorous rabble that were humiliated & soundly defeated.

[d_legendary1]

19. Shall we add religious books and political effigies to that Bon Fire?

Pissing off people with guns sure sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it?