Rebel flags flying from pick-up trucks

Anybody notice the idiot teenage boys driving around town with 3'x5' rebel flags flying disgracefully from their trucks. What the hell is this all about? We aren't in the south and the civil war has been over for more than a century. I pretty sure the North won according to my history books. I didn't realize such white trash excisted in this town.

Perhaps they displaying pride in their Southern heritage. Do you think the same thing when Cinco de Mayo comes around every May 5, when those of Mexican heritage display the Mexican flag on thier vehicles? Which "Rebel Flag" did you see? Are you aware that the Stars and Stripes was also considered a "Rebel flag" 84 years prior to the War Between the States?

Maybe they're showing their opinion and distaste of our current government and the state of our nation.
And who says we're limited to just one civil war?
It's not just for southerners anymore.

The confederate flag =/= slavery and racism, no matter how much the politically correct protest.

Maybe they're fans of the Dukes of Hazard. :)

VyvB wrote:

The confederate flag =/= slavery and racism, no matter how much the politically correct protest.

Do you suggest that slavery did not exist in the North? That Yankee ships built in New England for the purpose of participating in the slave trade some how exonerates the North from it's culpability? What about the "Black Codes" that were enforced against freed people of color in the North? 98% of all Confederate soldiers did not OWN slaves. To suggest that the 98% who did fight for the Confederacy did so for the 2% who did own slaves is ludricrous and disingenious at best. My ancestor from southern Illinois fought for the Confederacy, and did not own slaves or servants. By the way, Grant and Sherman both owned slaves. Does that make them evil? Washington and Jefferson also owned slaves. Does that make them evil? The Stars and Stripes was the flag that flew over slave ships. Perhaps we should vilify those men, and re-design the Stars and Stripes lest anyone be offended. By the way the Confederate Armed Forces were integrated (not officially) before the Union instituted the USCT.
I will not allow you or anyone to define my heritage to fit in your PC world. Confederate history is American history- regardless if you like it or not.

There are people who find the Confederate flag distasteful and offensive. But this is Antioch, they would also defend the Nazi flag flying...I doubt that they would allow Cinco de Mayo flags...that they would find offensive...

Nazi Watcher wrote:

There are people who find the Confederate flag distasteful and offensive. But this is Antioch, they would also defend the Nazi flag flying...I doubt that they would allow Cinco de Mayo flags...that they would find offensive...

I am not attacking your comment, just want to make an observation.

It would seem that in today's debate, in any arena, it is fashionable that sometime and somewhere we wil all read where there is an attack using the terms "racist", "nazi", "communist", "socialist", etc. You all get the idea I am sure.

My comment that these terms have been thrown around so much, that they really have no stigma attached to them in that these terms have really become irrelevant. Does the name calling or labeling of ANYBODY really add to the debate? I would think that if you wish to win or explain your position on any subject, one would want to attck the subject of the debate, not the debator.

I have come to think that as soon as one labels another person/opponent, it is a strong indicator that the labelers arguement is weak, and really has nothing to really fall back on, exept to demean and label their opponent. I am guilty of this. I have have chosen to only enter into a debate only on the grounds that I can 1) Add to the arguement using facts known, 2) If I can add a comment that has not been posted that I think has worth, 3) I will not enter into a debate and call my opponent a name because my intellect, while though it may not be the greatest, cannot think of any other arguement. I would rather end it as a "we will agree to disagree" rather libel another.
This is America, we are entitled to our opinions and thoughts, but none of us really has the right to assassinate another for speaking their opinion, no matter how much we think they may be wrong.

Ok let the arguing continue.....

I would like to add that for those who think that slavery was the sole reason for a war that claimed 625,000 lives and cost a nation nearly a quarter of its population, I point to the Corwin amendment. The Corwin amendment would have been the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment would have guaranteed that the Federal government would not interfere with the institution of slavery. It was proposed by the "North". The amendment was passed by the Northern delegations, however, the southern delegations did not vote on the amendment, because they had all been recalled to their respective state capitals.
If in fact, slavery, was the reason the Confederacy fought, then why fight a war over slavery if in fact a political solution had been arrived. True the Southern states were not aware of the amendment at the time, but enough time had passed between the vote and the outbreak of hostilities. Then why not return the delegations to Washington DC and vote on it? I think the reason was that slavery was not the only issue on the minds of the Southern political leaders. There was the issue of the Morril Tariff which at 50%, was at the time the highest tax rate in U.S. history, on all Southern goods being exported out of the U.S. to Europe.

I believe this is a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code to have any object flying from a car or truck in a distractive manner no matter what the flag may represent.
The only flags accepted are those marking a oversize load or ladders ect. over 6ft from the vehicle.

Im sure people would be in an uproar if black kids started driving around with Malcolm X flags.

csa37th wrote:

Do you suggest that slavery did not exist in the North? I will not allow you or anyone to define my heritage to fit in your PC world. Confederate history is American history- regardless if you like it or not.

Whoa, csa37th! "=/=" means "does not equal." I do not live in a PC world.

VyvB wrote:

<quoted text>
Whoa, csa37th! "=/=" means "does not equal." I do not live in a PC world.

My apologies. You are quite correct.

violator wrote:

I believe this is a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code to have any object flying from a car or truck in a distractive manner no matter what the flag may represent.
The only flags accepted are those marking a oversize load or ladders ect. over 6ft from the vehicle.
Im sure people would be in an uproar if black kids started driving around with Malcolm X flags.

The vehicle code is another set of unenforced laws, however.

These kids don't know what flag they are raising. They feel they are making a point - but have no clue the point they are making. Dummie. Same goes w/ the parents - They know the flag the kids are hanging, they are choosing to let them do it...

Why would you allow your children to do something offensive to others?.... People have forgotten to be humble and kind.

They are frustrating the people who actually know the intent of the flag - blow it off, it’s not worth it.

Maybe the young man is taking pride in his heritage
I I do I have several flag on my truck. It is not at all about hate. My Grandfathers fought for what they beleived in. I will honor them and be loud & proud about!!!

You can call a pig a domestic farm swine but it's still a pig. so in political correctness I will state that most (not all) of it's local inhabitants hate anyone not like "them" ie: beer swilling, ethnic hating, NASCAR loving, small minded, self important Antioch people.

Hainesville Chica wrote:

Why would you allow your children to do something offensive to others?

Like entering our country illegally? I don't know, why would they do that?

No nazi wrote:

small minded

Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black.

sorry if you feel that way but I have seen this first hand all over town by many of the townsfolk...notice I said many, not all. BUT...there is an abundance of the nasty people in Antioch that I have not encountered in surrounding towns...and btw, I am a southern, Hebrew woman married to a Hispanic man and I know prejudice when I see it.

Maybe you should ask them? I've seen them hanging out in the parking lot of Baker's Square in Gurnee(on more than one occasion, so its probably a regular occurance). They'll park all their trucks next to each other and hang out or something. Maybe its a convention or group meeting. LOL

But yeah, they are definitely the stereotypical trailer trash. Oh well.. I think they have the right to display the flag when its legal to do so, but I don't think they are doing themselves a service. Sooner or later, someone will want to be an idiot back and start a fight... and probably someone or some group that finds it significantly offensive.