Confederate Flag Tag

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Posted: 7:41 AM Feb 28, 2008
Last Updated: 7:41 AM Feb 28, 2008

13 comments

Confederate Flag

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There are one-hundred-nine specialty car tags in the state of Florida, but now one panhandle lawmaker is pushing for the addition of one more. But Floridians have mixed reactions.

State Representative Don Brown of Defuniak Springs wants a Confederate heritage tag to be added to the states tag list.

He is asking lawmakers to approve it saying the extra twenty-five dollars motorists would pay for it would go toward educational programs run by Sons of Confederate Veterans, grave yard maintenance, and museum exhibits.

The tag would feature a shield displaying the rebel flag symbol surrounded by several flags from that era.

Brown says it gives motorists a chance to show their southern heritage. So far the heritage tag has only been proposed, it hasn't gotten off the ground yet.

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Posted by: Joe Head Location: Lake Worth on May 8, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Finally! I think people should be educated on the civil war and know that the confederate flag represents southern heritage and not hate. I would deffinatly buy this tag!

Posted by: Amy Location: LaBelle, FL on Apr 1, 2008 at 04:33 PM
This debate is rediculous! The Rebel flag is part of our Southern heritage and if someone wants to have it on their license plate, I think they should be allowed. After all, if the Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, or some other non-American race wanted their flag on a license plate, I'm sure they would get it. If not, I'm sure someone would yell "RACISM"! Also, I was always told that a license plate couldn't have anything political on it. Then why are there "Anti-Abortion" tags? I haven't seen any Pro-Choice tags and, frankly, I'm offended. And as for being proud to be southern-I AM! I'm not sorry for something that happened a long time ago and had nothing to do w/ me or any person living today. GET OVER IT!! ALL races have been inslaved by another race at one point and time. Deal with it! God bless the SOUTH!

Posted by: Terry Location: MD on Mar 1, 2008 at 06:55 AM
If Parrotheads can have their own license plate, the SCV should have one. The Confederate flag is a symbol of heritage.

Posted by: Patrick Location: Mann on Mar 1, 2008 at 06:45 AM
Every one of my Great Grandfathers fought for the Confederacy and all of their grand fathers and fathers fought for the American Revolution, The Confederate Battle Flag is not the Flag of the KKK the US Flag is the KKK Banner. Slavery was not the issue and ap[proximately 160,000 Blacks fought for the Confederacy. It is about our Honor and true history of the Confederacy. Study it and you will understand. It is about heritage not hate Sons of Confederate Veterans invite all Black, Hispanics and other groups to visit one of our meetings. I am a past Commander of the Unit here in Panama City. I am not a racist and do not like or respect racisit of any color.

Posted by: Amanda Location: PC on Feb 29, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I've read the history books. Most of us have. Most of us know that the REBEL flags, Mr. Russ, have been adopted by southern hate groups like the KKK and others. The fact remains that for a LARGE majority of the southern population, the rebel flag will never be more than a symbol of hatred and violence. Be proud of being southern, but must you desplay that pride in a way that can never be anything but hurtful to others? As for Mr. Russ' comment, "If you don't like the south, go somewhere else," it certainly smacks of the old racist mantra, "If you don't like it here, go back to Africa". Personally, I love living in the south, it is only the misguided, insensitive people like yourself that I find distasteful and embarassing. Besides, you're the one flying the flag of the secessionists, perhaps it is you who are not happy with the new AMERICAN south.

Posted by: Becky on Feb 29, 2008 at 07:47 AM
This is not just about slavery, even segregation. Read your history books. This conflict called the Civil War started because southern states had no political say as to laws that placed unfair taxes on farmers. EVEN those that did not and never did own a slave were affected. This is what started it, the slave issue came in late in the war. And I still am proud of the fact that my great grand father chose to make a decision and stick with it, I can assure you he and his family were very poor honest share-croppers and to the day he died, never 'owned' property except his small homestead, it's farm animals, and he and his family were proud of this land.

Posted by: Steve Russ on Feb 29, 2008 at 02:30 AM
My REBEL flags are flying in the yard, I have metal rebel tags on my vehicles front bumpers, and a tattoo of a rebel flag on my arm. I am from the south, THANK GOD! My Flags and my rebel pride is not going away! If you don't like the south, go somewhere else! If you dont like my flags, come and try to get them, i promise you, I "WILL NOT" call the law!

Posted by: Jamey on Feb 28, 2008 at 09:20 PM
I am glad my ancestors of 1861 stood up against a overbearing government, just like I am that my ancestors stood in 1776!

Posted by: Amanda Ramsey Location: Panama City on Feb 28, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Is this a joke? Can we seriously not come up with something to symbolize our southern pride other than a flag that stood for a group of states that didn't even want to be part of the US? However those who proudly display this remnant try to cloak it in terms like "pride" and "heritage", it is just that - a remnant. A reminder of a time that, personally, I find it very difficult to be proud of. There is nothing PROUD about slavery, segregation, and our attempt to secede from our own great country. If we're to have a "Southern Heritage" tag, why not make it one that ALL southerners could display with pride. Much good has been accomplished in the south since the Civil War. Surely we can do better now than plastering this relic on our bumpers, reminding so many of what was truly a horrific and shameful time. Shame on you, Rep. Brown, for your unfathomable insensitivity. It is just such as this that continues to divide, at a time where unity has never been more necessary.

Posted by: Tim Location: Freeport on Feb 28, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I would like to have the right to purchase a Confederate Flag tag.

Posted by: Dolly Location: Panama City on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I think the tag addition is a good idea we are southern and proud of it.

Posted by: Becky on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I'm very proud of my Great Grand Father. He served in that 'conflict', was even a POW until it was over, just as my son is today serving in this 'conflict'. I boasted my pride with an 'Army of One' tag that I made on the front of my truck until someone ripped it off this week [for real]. Why not donate to have our heritage saved and protected. I'm 100% for it and I thank Mr Brown for deciding to do something to educate the public about our history.

Posted by: T Location: Panama City, FL on Feb 28, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I think it's a great idea!