http://larison.org/2008/01/18/pandering-got-him-this-far/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:34:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://larison.org/2008/01/18/pandering-got-him-this-far/#comment-8619 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:33:56 +0000 http://larison.org/2008/01/18/pandering-got-him-this-far/#comment-8619 On whether the flag should have been removed, I am not entirely in agreement. Yes, it was put up in large part in defense of segregation, but I would disagree with the kind of argument that says "too much evil was done under that banner for it ever to be merely a benign symbol of regional pride." It can be principally a symbol of regional pride, or even a commemoration of Southern war dead, if that is what people choose to make it in their current usage. Symbols can be adapted and re-used, and you do not have to be bound by all their old associations. Symbols will always have multiple meanings, and they can have different meanings depending on the viewer, so the decision to identify a symbol with only its negative associations is to deny that the other meanings their importance and to reject the meaning that many viewers have of the symbol. That is what is really at stake in these debates--whether the associations with heritage, patriotism and fallen soldiers are going to receive public acknowledgement or be rejected, or whether those meanings are going to be effaced and the worst associations are to be emphasised over everything else. My view is that this should be decided by the people who live in the relevant states, because they're the ones who have to live with the results of the decision. On whether the flag should have been removed, I am not entirely in agreement. Yes, it was put up in large part in defense of segregation, but I would disagree with the kind of argument that says “too much evil was done under that banner for it ever to be merely a benign symbol of regional pride.” It can be principally a symbol of regional pride, or even a commemoration of Southern war dead, if that is what people choose to make it in their current usage. Symbols can be adapted and re-used, and you do not have to be bound by all their old associations. Symbols will always have multiple meanings, and they can have different meanings depending on the viewer, so the decision to identify a symbol with only its negative associations is to deny that the other meanings their importance and to reject the meaning that many viewers have of the symbol. That is what is really at stake in these debates–whether the associations with heritage, patriotism and fallen soldiers are going to receive public acknowledgement or be rejected, or whether those meanings are going to be effaced and the worst associations are to be emphasised over everything else. My view is that this should be decided by the people who live in the relevant states, because they’re the ones who have to live with the results of the decision.

]]> http://larison.org/2008/01/18/pandering-got-him-this-far/#comment-8616 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:57:04 +0000 http://larison.org/2008/01/18/pandering-got-him-this-far/#comment-8616 What do you make of Mr. Dreher's own arguments agains the flag? http://blog.beliefnet.com/crunchycon/2008/01/huck-and-the-confederate-flag.html What do you make of Mr. Dreher’s own arguments agains the flag?
http://blog.beliefnet.com/crunchycon/2008/01/huck-and-the-confederate-flag.html

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