Poppy...I absolutely support free speech and if riding in a pick up truck waving a piece of cloth that some may find offensive is that form of free speech...oh freakin well!! I absolutely support their right to ride anywhere in this country and fly whatever piece of cloth they choose whether I agree or not.
As for the shooter in S.C. I don't think he was "glorifying" the Confederate flag, I think he is a very mentally disturbed individual just as the shooter in Aurora and Lafayette are/were and rather than focusing on a piece of cloth to blame for all the ills in this Country we need to take a real serious look at mental health care and/or other health factors that are precursors to these types of incidents. You on the other hand want to blame a piece of cloth!!
And just for whatever it's worth to you....I'll admit that I have actually read your posts that have stated religious items to do belong on Government property. With that being said....the alleged Christians who started this movement to remove the confederate flag have remained absolutely mute when confronted with their own hypocrisy including, Michelle Uhlfelder.
I agree with all you have stated. Free speech is awesome! WAve those flags!
I have never blamed a murder on a flag. And I haven't tied the flag discussion to the SC tragedy in my posts for a reason. The discussion began in SC but spread to other parts of the south quickly. Yes, I do believe there is much work to be done in mental health and our gun problem in America. Guns are the new cell phone. Everyone wants to have one and pose with it via open carry. Yes, I believe in gun ownership. But don't tell me all these gun owners are trained and prepared to handle a gun. Someone is shooting outside in Pt Washington woods as I type this and it doesn't sound like a shotgun - typical for our hood - but its not a threat. I just don't want guns around me in the grocery store, in a restaurant, in my child's school, etc. I don't want to SEE someone carrying a gun. I want all gun owners to be held to a very high standard of responsibility and competence.
But, we haven't discussed the 10 commandments or nativity on our public land at this point. Most of us deflaggers would probably also like to see these things removed. But, I'm not really offended by those things - even though I believe these belong in churches and homes, and not public places. I do see the 10 commandments and the nativity as being cultural as well as religious, and not offensive to a minority group of people. They may be offensive to non-Christians. But I don't really think they are hanging out at our county courthouse. I could be wrong.