So, living in Richmond, Virginia can be pretty interesting at times. Everynow and then i read about how some display the Confederate flag on their vehicle or home proudly as part of their heritage, and how some others see it as a sign of Racism. I'm not quite sure where i stand on it, but i'd like to hear some others views on it

I think if you don't live in the South, you're not entitled to an opinion on this question. It's a demon that they have to exorcise for themselves.

I've never met anyone displaying the Confederate flag that I enjoyed speaking with for more than a few minutes. I don't know if displaying the flag is racist, but I'll bet you 99% of the people who display it are.

I tend to go along this train of thought as well. Maybe not 99 percent, but a good portion of people.

I don't see how some are really proud of their "confederate roots"...that confuses me...does that mean they were proud their ancestors fought against the Union? Were against slavery? I'll buy that they were proud that they stood up for something they beleived for...at least if they're talking about State's rights and not racism and so forth

Why should people not in the South not be entitled? Because they would all answer that it's a sign of racism? I'm not from the south and I do have an opinion. It's a racist symbol, botom line.

I don't think it's a racist symbol. I don't see a confederate flag (and I see quite a few) and think "racist." That thought comes in as a think about the flag, but that's not the only thing it makes me think of.

unfortunately, everybody has the right to be ignorant

Because it doesn't affect you as a northerner. It is a southern symbol, and the conflict involves southern people. Your opinion is just an opinion, and has no relevance to the discussion. It is not, and should not be, a national issue. It is something that southerners, black and white, have to work out amongst themselves.

I've got some good cartoons on this subject, I'll try to post them tonight.

This is the weirdest thing I've read in a while. Just because something doesn't affect you personally doesn't mean you're not entitled to an opinion on it. The question wasn't "should the confederate flag be illegal?", it was "I'd like to hear some other views on it."

I don't smoke pot but I have an opinion on it. Is that wrong too?

No. But you know what they say about opinions, and as long as it doesn't affect you personally, it's about as important as your asshole.

I just think that a New Yorker's opinion about what the confederate flag means is so woefully uninformed that it can't possibly be relevant to the discussion. How can one have a meaningful opinion about such a personal icon when they grew up somewhere that it isn't even an issue. Tell me what a black man from Georgia thinks about it. Tell me what a white woman from Tennessee thinks about it. At least they have some experience to draw from.

First, you're giving my asshole way too much credit.

Second, I see what you're saying now (I think). Of course people living in the south have a much more relevant view of the situation than I as a New Englander has, and most likely shouldn't even listen to my point of view on it since I have absolutely no first hand knowledge of the situation. I saw you saying that people weren't entitled to an opinion and figured you smoked some pot

People travel freely across state lines. If people in the South are wallowing in racism, it affects the entire contry adversely.

Do you not have an opinion on Mississippi's one woman's clinic, Nevada's nuclear waste dump, Massachussetts' gay marriage, Florida's gun legislation, or the Terri Schaivo case? These are all local cases being battled out by states, but they have national ramifications. Almost everything has national ramifications.

Living in Atlanta and Birmingham my entire life I would have to agree with this generalization.

Living in WV, I see tons of "Rebel" flags everyday. One day, I'd like to just walk up to one of these rednecks and tell them, take it down, we fought with the North douchebag! I don't see how there can be much disagreement that what I'm seeing is anything more than racists, do you?

I see some hick everyday in Pennsylvania (w/PA plates) with a Confederate flag on their truck. What's the point, just to let people know that you don't like blacks? And as a Northerner, I have no desire to bust out a Civil War flag representing the Union. Why can't southerners let go?

id like to get a southerners point of view on this and to explain to me how exactly a confederate flag, or anything to do with the defunct Confederate States of America is part of their heritage, thats the number one reason i get when i ask why people fly the flag, they just bust out with "because i'm proud of my heritage"

it's kind of the "cool" thing to do if you're a redneck...

definitely has deeper meaning, but living in Central New York I see plenty of them myself believe it or not. I feel like when you choose to display one, you are showing others that you're a "good old boy" and enjoy general redneck type things. most of the hicks around here would be hard-pressed to give you a good low down on southern ideals in 19th century America

A Lynard Skynard sticker would be way cooler.

Yeah, I have opinions, but those actually ARE national issues. Gun control in one state affects gun control in another state. Same with gay marriage, abortion, etc... The battle flag is a deeply PERSONAL issue for those who love it or hate it. Having never thought once about it until I was in college, it's not personal to me. And honestly, what is ultimately decided by the people to whom it is personal won't affect me one way or teh other.