Why thank you Danny....you get a whole lotta bees with a lil honey!
Petition to Ban Confederate Flag from Walton County Courthouse
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Why thank you Danny....you get a whole lotta bees with a lil honey!
You know Teresa I have better things to do with my time. I hope I am wrong but people are not interested in finding common ground so why try. My nature is to try and connect with people. It is impossible to connect with anyone in your crowd and I have allowed myself to be pulled into this wave of negativity surrounding the Confederate Flag. I do not want to go any lower and so I know when it is time to move one. I have learned a lot from Misty, Danny and Andy and a few others. I appreciate their knowledge and abilities to communicate with respect. I do not have anger but I feel the negativity starting to creep in. If anyone on either side want to go out and have a face to face conversation or just have a glass of ice tea I would enjoy that very much. Life is too short for me to keep posting to a computer screen.
I have certainly found common ground on this issue, far beyond what I had expected. From people on all sides here. Some communicate respectfully. Some not so much. Those skills aren't assigned to people on a certain side in my mind. There's a big mix of human here.
Thank you. I warned you, you needed thick skin. Some folks are like a rabid animal and want to infect anyone that crosses their path if you don't agree with them. Its sorta the nature of public forums. Turn the other cheek, let them show their a$$es. All they are doing is giving validity to their own inability to debate controversial issues with class and respect for the opinions of others.
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Tampa Bay Times
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-b...replace-confederate-flag-with-another/2239013
TALLAHASSEE — Bucking a national trend, a defiant Walton County voted Tuesday after an emotional hearing to replace one Confederate flag with another one at its courthouse in the Florida Panhandle.
Under intense pressure from a deeply divided citizenry, county commissioners agreed to remove the controversial flag with the X-shaped Southern Cross design that has flown at the courthouse in DeFuniak Springs since 1964, the year President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
As that flag heads to a local museum, it will be replaced by the first version of the Confederate flag known as the stars and bars, with 13 stars arranged in a circle next to horizontal red and white bars.
"The soil of Walton County has been enriched with the blood and sweat of the people who came before every one of us, some who fought and died in the war between the states," said Commissioner Sara Comander, who suggested the switch. "I want to honor all of those who came before us, but I also want to be cognizant of those that the present flag seems to offend."
Applause broke out after the 4-0 vote as opponents vowed to keep fighting to remove the new flag.
"It's a cop-out, not a compromise," said Daniel Uhlfelder of Santa Rosa Beach, a lawyer who has led citizen opposition to the flag. "Nobody asked for this. It still represents slavery. It's not going to bring the community together."
As the rebel flag fluttered outside, more than 100 people packed a hearing room. Some wore "Take Down the Flag" buttons and others wore T-shirts emblazoned with the flag design. The division was on full display during three hours of debate.
"To me, the Confederate flag is a symbol of rebellion, hatred and painful superiority," said Tyrone Broadus, a black pastor and DeFuniak Springs resident.
Betty Latcher of Panama City Beach said she proudly flies the battle flag at her home. "The heritage in my husband's family stands for a lot," she said.
James Moore Crawford, who said his great-grandfather fought in the Confederate Army and nearly starved "on orders from Washington," retired to DeFuniak Springs 23 years ago.
"I saw the Confederate flag and said this is a wonderful place to be," Crawford said.
Walton County, with a population of about 57,000, is home to fourth and fifth-generation Floridians who are descendants of Civil War soldiers, and who view the flag as an enduring tribute to the sacrifices of their forebears.
But there's another Walton, of Sandestin and Seaside and Seagrove Beach. Its white sandy beaches and upscale resorts make it a favorite destination for tourists and groups holding conferences, which is why the NAACP is talking about pressuring Federal Express to reconsider plans to locate in the county.
"That Confederate battle flag invokes and incites anger," the NAACP's Dale Landry testified. "This is going to impact you economically."
Donald Graham said it's wrong for the Confederate flag to fly at a building where judges render verdicts. "People walk in this building looking for justice, and it puts a doubt in their minds," he said.
In the aftermath of last month's massacre at a black church in Charleston, S.C., rebel flags quickly came down in the Capitols of South Carolina and Alabama, the city of Pensacola and elsewhere, as pictures of gunman Dylann Roof showed him posing next to images of the Confederate flag.
Walton County Commissioner Bill Chapman, who faces re-election next year, withdrew support for Comander's proposal but later voted for it, and said he knew it might hurt him at the polls.
"You're looking at next year's election and I'm up," Chapman told the crowd. "If that's what you want to do, and cast your vote against me, so be it. I can go back and handle my cows on a 24-hour basis, instead of in the afternoons."
Commissioner Cindy Meadows accused vague "outside forces" of sowing division in Walton County for political advantage.
"It has worked," Meadows said. "Look at us now."
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report. Contact Steve Bousquet at bousquet@tampabay.com or (850) 224-7263. Follow @stevebousquet.
Wikipedia
Walton County flag, also known as the "rebel" or battle flag
Wikipedia
Walton County Commission voted 4-0 to replace the traditional Confederate flag with the Stars and Bars (above)
More information on Florida's relationship with the Confederate Flag
Walton County votes to replace one Confederate flag with another 07/28/15 [Last modified: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 6:39pm]
Photo reprints | Article reprints
© 2015 Tampa Bay Times
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-b...replace-confederate-flag-with-another/2239013
TALLAHASSEE — Bucking a national trend, a defiant Walton County voted Tuesday after an emotional hearing to replace one Confederate flag with another one at its courthouse in the Florida Panhandle.
Under intense pressure from a deeply divided citizenry, county commissioners agreed to remove the controversial flag with the X-shaped Southern Cross design that has flown at the courthouse in DeFuniak Springs since 1964, the year President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
As that flag heads to a local museum, it will be replaced by the first version of the Confederate flag known as the stars and bars, with 13 stars arranged in a circle next to horizontal red and white bars.
"The soil of Walton County has been enriched with the blood and sweat of the people who came before every one of us, some who fought and died in the war between the states," said Commissioner Sara Comander, who suggested the switch. "I want to honor all of those who came before us, but I also want to be cognizant of those that the present flag seems to offend."
Applause broke out after the 4-0 vote as opponents vowed to keep fighting to remove the new flag.
"It's a cop-out, not a compromise," said Daniel Uhlfelder of Santa Rosa Beach, a lawyer who has led citizen opposition to the flag. "Nobody asked for this. It still represents slavery. It's not going to bring the community together."
As the rebel flag fluttered outside, more than 100 people packed a hearing room. Some wore "Take Down the Flag" buttons and others wore T-shirts emblazoned with the flag design. The division was on full display during three hours of debate.
"To me, the Confederate flag is a symbol of rebellion, hatred and painful superiority," said Tyrone Broadus, a black pastor and DeFuniak Springs resident.
Betty Latcher of Panama City Beach said she proudly flies the battle flag at her home. "The heritage in my husband's family stands for a lot," she said.
James Moore Crawford, who said his great-grandfather fought in the Confederate Army and nearly starved "on orders from Washington," retired to DeFuniak Springs 23 years ago.
"I saw the Confederate flag and said this is a wonderful place to be," Crawford said.
Walton County, with a population of about 57,000, is home to fourth and fifth-generation Floridians who are descendants of Civil War soldiers, and who view the flag as an enduring tribute to the sacrifices of their forebears.
But there's another Walton, of Sandestin and Seaside and Seagrove Beach. Its white sandy beaches and upscale resorts make it a favorite destination for tourists and groups holding conferences, which is why the NAACP is talking about pressuring Federal Express to reconsider plans to locate in the county.
"That Confederate battle flag invokes and incites anger," the NAACP's Dale Landry testified. "This is going to impact you economically."
Donald Graham said it's wrong for the Confederate flag to fly at a building where judges render verdicts. "People walk in this building looking for justice, and it puts a doubt in their minds," he said.
In the aftermath of last month's massacre at a black church in Charleston, S.C., rebel flags quickly came down in the Capitols of South Carolina and Alabama, the city of Pensacola and elsewhere, as pictures of gunman Dylann Roof showed him posing next to images of the Confederate flag.
Walton County Commissioner Bill Chapman, who faces re-election next year, withdrew support for Comander's proposal but later voted for it, and said he knew it might hurt him at the polls.
"You're looking at next year's election and I'm up," Chapman told the crowd. "If that's what you want to do, and cast your vote against me, so be it. I can go back and handle my cows on a 24-hour basis, instead of in the afternoons."
Commissioner Cindy Meadows accused vague "outside forces" of sowing division in Walton County for political advantage.
"It has worked," Meadows said. "Look at us now."
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report. Contact Steve Bousquet at bousquet@tampabay.com or (850) 224-7263. Follow @stevebousquet.
Wikipedia
Walton County flag, also known as the "rebel" or battle flag
Wikipedia
Walton County Commission voted 4-0 to replace the traditional Confederate flag with the Stars and Bars (above)
More information on Florida's relationship with the Confederate Flag
Walton County votes to replace one Confederate flag with another 07/28/15 [Last modified: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 6:39pm]
Photo reprints | Article reprints
© 2015 Tampa Bay Times
WFSU radio (NPR)
http://news.wfsu.org/post/walton-county-sort-removes-its-confederate-flag
Southern governments at the state and local level have been reassessing the confederate battle flag. Tuesday Walton County took a middle path, replacing the current flag with an earlier version.
It was one of those days at the Walton County commission. Dozens of people gathered in DeFuniak Springs Tuesday to lobby for and against taking down the Confederate flag—it flies over a monument on the grounds of the county courthouse. The conversation opened with a proposal from Commissioner Sara Comander.
“I make the motion that we—and I have copies, it’s the one with 13 stars on it,” Comander says, “This is the original—well the original had seven stars and then they moved it to 13—and that we retire the one that is presently flying and donate it to the heritage museum.”
But this did little to mollify speakers calling for the flag’s removal.
“I learned about that flag before I learned about this one,” Walton County resident James Huffman says, pointing at the American flag. “I learned who the imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Klan was before I knew who the governor was.”
“To me and the people where I live, this flag meant terror,” Huffman finishes, “total absolute terror.”
But fellow resident Casey Nelson says the flag isn’t about racial hatred.
“I have a petition here, the biggest one online, we have 2,370 signatures,” Nelson says, “We are wanting to keep the flag, if you change it we’re fine with that. We need to honor our ancestors—they can’t nobody say it’s race.”
And this is how the argument typically shakes out. Supporters argue the flag represents their heritage, while opponents point to its connection with anti-black violence—particularly as a reactionary political symbol after passage of the Civil Rights Act.
But Dave Rauschkolb has a different perspective. The owner of a handful of restaurants in Seaside and the founder of Hands Across the Sand begins listing off the things Walton County is known for.
“We’re known for great beaches, we’re known for natural beauty, we’re known for great hospitality, we’re known as a world class destination,” Rauschkolb says. “If you leave this flag flying we’ll be known for something very different nationally and internationally—and that’s not good for business.”
And Rauschkolb may have put his finger on the divide. In an ironic reversal, the wealthy southern end of Walton County is at odds with its rural northern neighbors.
After the commission waded through three hours of testimony, Commissioner Bill Chapman brought a motion to remove the flag completely. But in the end the commission voted unanimously to approve Commissioner Comander’s flag switch.
http://news.wfsu.org/post/walton-county-sort-removes-its-confederate-flag
Southern governments at the state and local level have been reassessing the confederate battle flag. Tuesday Walton County took a middle path, replacing the current flag with an earlier version.
It was one of those days at the Walton County commission. Dozens of people gathered in DeFuniak Springs Tuesday to lobby for and against taking down the Confederate flag—it flies over a monument on the grounds of the county courthouse. The conversation opened with a proposal from Commissioner Sara Comander.
“I make the motion that we—and I have copies, it’s the one with 13 stars on it,” Comander says, “This is the original—well the original had seven stars and then they moved it to 13—and that we retire the one that is presently flying and donate it to the heritage museum.”
But this did little to mollify speakers calling for the flag’s removal.
“I learned about that flag before I learned about this one,” Walton County resident James Huffman says, pointing at the American flag. “I learned who the imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Klan was before I knew who the governor was.”
“To me and the people where I live, this flag meant terror,” Huffman finishes, “total absolute terror.”
But fellow resident Casey Nelson says the flag isn’t about racial hatred.
“I have a petition here, the biggest one online, we have 2,370 signatures,” Nelson says, “We are wanting to keep the flag, if you change it we’re fine with that. We need to honor our ancestors—they can’t nobody say it’s race.”
And this is how the argument typically shakes out. Supporters argue the flag represents their heritage, while opponents point to its connection with anti-black violence—particularly as a reactionary political symbol after passage of the Civil Rights Act.
But Dave Rauschkolb has a different perspective. The owner of a handful of restaurants in Seaside and the founder of Hands Across the Sand begins listing off the things Walton County is known for.
“We’re known for great beaches, we’re known for natural beauty, we’re known for great hospitality, we’re known as a world class destination,” Rauschkolb says. “If you leave this flag flying we’ll be known for something very different nationally and internationally—and that’s not good for business.”
And Rauschkolb may have put his finger on the divide. In an ironic reversal, the wealthy southern end of Walton County is at odds with its rural northern neighbors.
After the commission waded through three hours of testimony, Commissioner Bill Chapman brought a motion to remove the flag completely. But in the end the commission voted unanimously to approve Commissioner Comander’s flag switch.
I don't understand this obsession with heritage. OK so 150 years ago your misguided ancestors died in vain for a lost cause. Excuse me if I'm missing something, but where is the honor in that?
Misty, I was born and raised in the South and worked 7 days a week on tobacco, watermelon and hay farms. I have very thick skin. What I don't have is time. Yes, it is infectious and I seem to actually like it. I clearly see this hypocrisy and the liberal agenda. I have a lot to say about the division that they are creating within our community. I just do not have the time and I do not want to get pulled in any further. I have a family and business that needs my attention. You my friend are quite the debater. Keep it up!!!
mputnal...Back in 2011 when I originally joined the forum I didn't see "eye to eye" with Andy A on anything. I thought he was an arrogant, pompous a$$ full of his own self importance. 3 years in I find myself agreeing with him more than I disagree. I've had my share of disagreements with Danny too many of them heated and on some of the things we disagree about, there will probably never be any common ground so, we have agreed to disagree. There are still others here who I don't agree with to this day and probably never will but it doesn't negate their opinions anymore than it does mine. I don't have to like them to have an opinion nor do they have to like me...its not a popularity contest.
I also felt the forum was more than a tad moderated almost to the point of censorship. I'm all about free speech so it made it difficult for me to articulate my thoughts (which is why you see so many edits on my posts) because after I read them once they are posted I see where I may have phrased something better or said something differently that result in the same effect. Its still a learning process and I've pi$$ed off more than a few just on this thread but I can assure you if I hadn't done it with a certain amount of decorum the moderator would have removed me as quickly as he did Poppy or anyone else for that matter.
The fact that you are still able to post tells me your communicating yourself in a way that some of us understand and its not a bad place. Let the trolls have their lil moments in the spotlight. They don't last long and they get frustrated when they can't get the desired response out of you and fade into the shadows. They will pounce on another issue and then go back to lurking. That's the nature of public forums.
Bottom line...have fun with it and speak your mind because no one else can speak it for you.
I also felt the forum was more than a tad moderated almost to the point of censorship. I'm all about free speech so it made it difficult for me to articulate my thoughts (which is why you see so many edits on my posts) because after I read them once they are posted I see where I may have phrased something better or said something differently that result in the same effect. Its still a learning process and I've pi$$ed off more than a few just on this thread but I can assure you if I hadn't done it with a certain amount of decorum the moderator would have removed me as quickly as he did Poppy or anyone else for that matter.
The fact that you are still able to post tells me your communicating yourself in a way that some of us understand and its not a bad place. Let the trolls have their lil moments in the spotlight. They don't last long and they get frustrated when they can't get the desired response out of you and fade into the shadows. They will pounce on another issue and then go back to lurking. That's the nature of public forums.
Bottom line...have fun with it and speak your mind because no one else can speak it for you.
Your so friggn' out in left field its ridiculous! I am the one who felt there might be a compromise and I was correct. Over 60 people got to have their say and you have the audacity to claim it was "lickty snitch"? You have no idea what you are talking about. Bring poppy back, here is a real troll!