Think Progress

‘Marginalized’ Southerners Clamor For Right To Display ‘World’s Largest’ Confederate Flag»

As ThinkProgress noted last weekend, the “world’s largest” Confederate flag will soon be flying over Tampa at one of the nation’s busiest intersections. The backers of the project — the Sons of Confederate Veterans — insist the flag isn’t about racism or slavery but rather “honoring our ancestors and about celebrating our heritage.”

The Tampa Tribune reports that the flag was raised on Tuesday to celebrate “Confederacy President Jefferson Davis’ birthday,” but was taken down Tuesday night. At a county commission meeting on Wednesday, local officials said they did not have the legal authority to prevent the flag from being flown, but are urging the Sons group not to go ahead with its plans.

This morning, Fox and Friends hosted Marion Lambert of the Sons group to explain why he was pushing for the flag display. When asked what dialogue he is trying to generate, Lambert answered, “Well, you see, Southerners have been marginalized for the last 20-25 years.” He feigned ignorance about the flag’s divisive history:

FOX: Not only is the Confederate flag, as you say, a symbol of Southern heritage. It also has become a symbol of racism and bigotry. The KKK uses it. Do you understand how hurtful and offensive your flying this massive flag may be to some people?

LAMBERT: No I don’t. Specifically because it’s well known that the KKK flies a US flag and a Christian flag. And so why aren’t those flags…embodied within that understanding of hatred…It flies in the face of reason that we demonize this particular flag.

After Lambert spoke, Fox hosted Curtis Stokes, president of NAACP chapter in Tampa, who argued that Lambert’s actions “fly in the face of human decency.” Watch it:

“There is a right way and wrong way to respect history,” said Michelle Williams of the Community Activists of Public Affairs. “You don’t see us out there flying flags of lynching.” Local black citizens have “threatened an economic boycott and protests that could sully the county’s image as the nation focuses on Tampa in January as the site of the Super Bowl.”

The massive Confederate flag, which will be hoisted on private property just off Interstate 75, costs $800 and was made in China.

McCain Faces ‘A Little Bit Of Heckling’ During MLK Speech»

Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Memphis to commemorate the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. As ThinkProgress has noted, as a congressman in 1983, McCain voted against legislation creating MLK Day.

Most Republicans (including then-Rep. Dick Cheney) supported the bill, later signed by President Reagan. McCain complained it “cost too much money, that other presidents were not recognized.” He eventually came around to supporting the holiday in a 1990 Arizona referendum that failed.

In his speech today, McCain tried to explain his misguided vote by stating, “We can all be a little late sometimes in doing the right thing”:

We can be slow as well to give greatness its due, a mistake I made myself long ago when I voted against a federal holiday in memory of Dr. King. I was wrong and eventually realized that, in time to give full support for a state holiday in Arizona. We can all be a little late sometimes in doing the right thing, and Dr. King understood this about his fellow Americans. But he knew as well that in the long term, confidence in the reasonability and good heart of America is always well placed.

During these statements, some in the crowd said, “We forgive you,” but many others began loudly objecting to McCain’s comments. CNN reporter Soledad O’Brien called it “a little bit of heckling.” Watch it:

O’Brien also noted that when McCain first emerged and greeted the crowd, there were some cheers, but there were also “some loud boos.”

Digg It!

McCain’s Tribute To MLK Spotlights His Opposition To MLK Day, Support Of Confederate Flag»

Today at noon, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will be speaking in Memphis to mark the anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in this city 40 years ago. In a statement released today, McCain paid tribute to MLK, saying he “stirred the conscience of our nation”:

The power of his work and vision was not ended forty years ago in Memphis. Across the world, men and women are living Dr. King’s dream as they strive to extend the blessings of human liberty and human rights to all. Today, we mark a tragic day in our nation’s history while honoring the work of a man who was the voice for our nation’s highest ideals.

But this week, McCain has been “testy,” after the public has raised questions about his record on civil rights. In 1983, while serving in the House, McCain voted against legislation creating MLK Day. Most Republicans (including then-Rep. Dick Cheney) supported the bill, later signed by President Reagan. McCain complained it “cost too much money, that other presidents were not recognized.”

Discussing his record this week with reporters, McCain said, “I was pleased to be part of the fight for that recognition” of MLK Day in Arizona, one of the last states to recognize the holiday. But in 1987, when then-governor Evan Mecham rescinded the holiday, McCain said Mecham was “correct in his decision.”

McCain may pay great tribute to Dr. King today, but his support of civil rights issues has been tepid, and at times, offensive. Some highlights:

Honoring the Confederate flag: In 2000, McCain called the flag “offensive.” Later, he lauded it as a “battle flag” and a “symbol of heritage.”

Honoring racists: In 2000, Richard Quinn, McCain’s South Carolina spokesperson in 2000, called the MLK holiday “vitriolic and profane.” McCain defended Quinn, calling him a “respected” and “fine man,” refusing to fire him. McCain’s current campaign has paid the firm Richard Quinn and Associates $180,000.

Skipped African-American debate to campaign: McCain joined Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson in September 2007 in skipping PBS’ presidential debate, which featured “a panel exclusively comprised of journalists of color.”

McCain expresses regret for his earlier opposition to MLK Day, but his delayed judgment is noteworthy, as the 1983 vote was nearly 15 years after MLK was assassinated. “I had not been involved in the issue,” he says. Nevertheless, McCain still opposed the 1990 Civil Rights Act.

More at the Wonk Room.