THAT BIG CONFEDERATE FLAG IN TAMPA

by Al Benson Jr.

It would seem that the local group of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Tampa, Florida has done something that has really driven the liberal/Communist establishment up the wall. For years, various Leftist fringe/hate groups have marched, moaned and in general paraded around complainly loudly about Southern flags and symbols. The mere sight of a Confederate flag anywhere seems to set their noses to twitching and their ears to smoking. They caper, drool, and moan about how their delicate sensibilities have been "offended" at the mere sight of a small Confederate flag on a grave marker somewhere. Of course they have no concern whatever about the sensibilities of other folks that they may offend. The rest of us are just supposed to take that in stride while they moan about how we've offended them!

Well, guess what? Their delicate Leftist sensibilities can now really be offended. The SCV folks in Tampa, Florida have, on private property, near Routes I 4 and I 75 outside of Tampa, erected a huge flagpole with a 30' X 50' Confederate Naval Jack on it. The flagpole is 139 ft. high and is located at the construction site of a monument to Confederate veterans.

And what will be even worse for those Left-wingers, once the Confederate monument is completed, that big flag will be illuminated at night. At that point the Lefties will get to be "offended" twenty four hours a day. Doesn't your heart just bleed for them? (Don't all answer at once!)

The usual suspects have crawled out from beneath their collectivist rocks to make the usual complaints. The Hillsborough County president of the NAACP has said "I'm surprised they would let something like this go on in Hillsborough County." Buddy, I hate to disallusion you, but if the flag and monument are on private property and have met all zoning requirements, which they seem to have, then no one can tell them what they can and can't have on their own property. It seems that the NAACP would abrogate people's right to use their own property if they could get by with it.

And it was common knowledge the Fox News sent out a reporter to cover this incident. That man, Orlando Salinas, has to be one of the few remaining decent reporters in the entire country. He interviewed all the folks concerned and actually turned in an objective report, giving the Southern Heritage folks their just due. Fox News was then reported to be considering cancelling Mr. Salinas' piece because it didn't paint the Confederate flag as racist. When this became known, I think Fox News got lots of emails and calls and Mr. Salinas' report ended up being run after all, much to the chagrin of those on the Left.

The SCV folks in Tampa are adament--the big flag stays. They say they are tired of their history and heritage being constantly trashed and this big flag is one way they are fighting back. May the Lord bless their efforts.

If you are trying to figure out who is right in all of this, just look at the credentials of those who oppose not only this flag but any and all Southern flags and symbols. The majority of them are dedicated Leftists, socialists, "Red Republicans", Communists, and ultra-liberals.

And, at root, their main problem is still that these Southern symbols are mainly Christian symbols. That's what "those people" really hate--Jesus Christ and the Christian faith.

If you would like to read about some of the origins of political and religious Leftism in this country then get hold of the book "Red Republicans and Lincoln's Marxists" by Donnie Kennedy and myself. It deals with the radical Leftists in both Lincoln's armies and in the early Republican Party, which, contrary to some, has NO real conservative roots. Check out the website for Ole South Books to find out how to get a copy of the book.