You Can Burn Some Flags

March 2, 2008

Letters to the Editor

The Sun-Sentinel

200 East Las Olas Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

RE: The kerfluffle over the Confederate Battle Flag on Florida licenses.

Sirs,

Lincoln wanted us to bind up our wounds and become one nation again. Grant allowed Lee to keep his sword. Confederate veterans kept their weapons after Appomattox. The war ended 143 years ago.

My father’s father had 2 uncles who fought at Gettysburg. They marched with the Irish Brigade. At noon on July 2, 1863 they stepped out into the Wheat Field. I like to think that the pipes were skirling the Garryowen air. One of them is still there “wrapped in his faded coat of Blue”. I like to think he died cleanly and quickly. I know that he died for a noble cause.

If somebody from the other side wants to put a Confederate battle flag on a Florida license plate it’s OK with me. “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” If Union approbation is needed I hereby grant it.

Speaking of insensitive things how can Broward County, surely one of the most modern American Liberal counties in America, permit a town to be called “Plantation”? Worse, the high school’s nickname is “The Colonels”. Does the school have lawn jockeys at the front door? Are the cheerleaders made up in Black face? Is “Mammy” played before kickoff? Are the inmates running the asylum? Have the boobies taken over the hatch?

Faulkner said “in the South the past isn’t dead, it isn’t even past”.

If we can live with Plantation and its Colonels we can live with the Stars and Bars. Unknot your knickers. You’ll walk easier.