The past

misuse and abuse of the flag by racists and hate groups

is no reason for me and millions of others who have not

succumbed to the wave of political correctness run amok

to think less of the flag or to fold it away in shame.

The shame is upon the descendant of the Confederacy who

fails to defend the flag as an honorable symbol.

Neither

does that past misuse of the flag confer license to

someone of a different heritage and opinion to demand

that he be appeased by its removal.

Black

people complain that the flag is a symbol of slavery. It

can be pointed out, in logical argument against such a

view, if logic and reasoned thinking is of any value in

this controversy, that slavery existed much longer under

the U.S. flag than under the Confederate flag and that

there were more Northern slave states (eight) than

Southern slave states (seven) at the beginning of the

Civil War.

The

formation of the Confederate States of America as a

separate nation and the Civil War/was fought over the

right of states to secede from the Union was, by far, the

biggest event in the history of this country.

The

Confederacy and its battle flag are an important part of

that history and the descendants of the white Confederate

people have every right, many would say obligation, to

publicly honor the heroes, the dead, and the symbols of

that heritage.

When the

supporters of the flag were marching down the street in

Columbia, S. C., on Jan. 8, a black man on the sidewalk

yelled at them, "Get over it". No marcher

deigned a reply that day.

Here is my

reply to him: Slavery and any organized oppression of

your people is past history. Hating and opposing the

Confederate flag cannot change history or improve your

present circumstance. Turn in the other direction and

tell your own people, "Get over it."

Glen

Allen

Peachtree City