Anti-Southern Democrats
By Doug Hagin on 11/05/03
This is 2003, we are supposed to be a more tolerant nation. We are supposed to be celebrating our differences and our diversity. We are supposed to be concerned with making sure no one or no group is excluded. Yes we are supposed to be a sensitive people, seeking never to prejudge anyone. So why are certain groups still being attacked and demonized in America?
Why is it that Southerners, at least those who choose to honor our Confederate heritage, are a very easy target for those who usually are preaching tolerance? And certainly recent history has shown that while the political left talks the talk of sensitivity and inclusion, they at the same time walk the walk of bigotry.
Consider some recent remarks by presidential candidate Howard Dean. Speaking in Iowa, Dean made this statement, “I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.” Now of course these remarks have caused quite the uproar among Dean’s fellow Democratic candidates. Seemingly upset that Howard Dean would make any remark even remotely positive about Southerners proud of their ancestors, Dean’s opponents for the Democratic nomination were quick to attack his comments.
Dick Gephardt accused Dean of courting the votes of those who according to Gephardt “disagree with us on bedrock Democratic values like civil rights.” Hmmm, so those Southerners who dare to pay homage to their brave Confederate ancestors oppose civil rights? How does Dick Gephardt justify making such a blatantly bigoted comment? Aren’t Southerners deserving of the tolerance people like Dick Gephardt are always preaching? Or perhaps Dick Gephardt opposes Southerners having equality? Surely his remarks hint this might be the case.
Not content with attacking proud Southerners view on equality Mr. Gephardt went on to question their patriotism as well. “ I don’t want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks” Gephardt said “ I will win the Democratic nomination because I will be the candidate for guys with American flags in their pickup trucks.” Well many Southerners are as proud of their American heritage as their Southern heritage. Many fly both flags proudly. Yet Dick Gephardt ignores these facts and goes on an intolerant rant condemning anyone daring to respect Southern heritage.
Not to be outdone presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry attacked not only Southerners but gun owners as well when he accused Dean of “pandering” to the NRA and seeking to make inroads with those who love the Confederate flag. Well yes many Southerners are gun owners and members of the NRA as well. And surely John Kerry is stereotyping both groups and by the standards Liberals like John Kerry claim to live by stereotyping is racist.
John Kerry did not stop there, however, he continued his stump for bigotry by making the following statement, "I would rather be the candidate of the NAACP than the NRA," Kerry said in a statement. Really? Surely many would question whether or not the NAACP was anything but a divisive group which profits from creating racial tensions in America. Surely no group has demagogued race for their own gain more than the NAACP. So it is telling of Mr. Kerry’s character that he would rather support a group which exploits race instead of groups which honor and protect the history of Southerners of all races and religions, or a group which defends the constitution.
Senator John Edwards, of North Carolina also added his comments to the attacks on Southerners. "Some of the greatest civil rights leaders, white and black, have come from the South," said Edwards. "To assume that southerners who drive trucks would embrace this symbol is offensive." How about assuming anyone displaying the Confederate flag is a racist Mr. Edwards? Isn’t that pretty offensive as well?
Then there was Wesley Clarke, who held none of his hatred for ancestors of Confederate soldiers in check. “"The Confederate flag flies in the face of our most deeply held American values - diversity, equality and inclusion." Really Mr. Clarke? Did you not know thousands of Jews fought for the confederacy? Or that tens of thousands of Blacks served in the Confederate armies? How about the Mexican, Cuban, Native-American, Catholic, and Asian Confederates? Guess Wesley Clarke either did not receive a very good education on the War Between the States or chose to ignore the facts.
Finally there is Senator Joe Lieberman who did not hesitate to trash Southern heritage with these words; "Governor Dean ought to be more careful about what he says," Lieberman said. "It is irresponsible and reckless to loosely talk about one of the most divisive, hurtful symbols in American history." Like Wesley Clarke, Lieberman obviously is no scholar of history.
Democrats are very adept at saying hate is very prevalent in America today. And as these statements show it is the Democrats who are the most guilty of it.
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