Your morning jolt: Lynyrd Skynyrd rethinks Confederate flag retreat
As of this weekend, Chick-fil-A is no longer the latest commercial interest roiled by an attempt to disengage from the culture wars.
That honor has shifted to Lynyrd Skynyrd, now in its 42 year as the South’s premier rock band.
From left, Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant (cq) of the group Lynyrd Skynyrd during their 2007 induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. AJC file
Earlier this month, in a CNN interview touting the band’s latest album, “Last of a Dyin’ Breed,” guitarist Gary Rossington – the group’s sole original member – explained why band members had distanced themselves from the Confederate battle emblem that had once been so identified with their performances. Said Rossington:
”It became such an issue, you know, about race and stuff, where – we just had it in the beginning as we were Southern, and that was our image back in the ‘70s, late ‘60s. They branded us as being from the South, so we showed that.
“But I think through the years, people like the KKK and skinheads and people have kind of kidnapped the Dixie or rebel flag from the Southern tradition and the heritage of the soldiers, you know. That’s what it was about.
“They kind of made it look bad, in certain ways. We didn’t want that to go to our fans or show the image like we agreed with any of the race stuff or any of the bad things.”
The remarks have not gone over well. On Friday, as Raw Story first reported, Rossington “clarified” his thinking on the band’s website:
“We know what the Dixie flag represents and its heritage; the Civil War was fought over States rights.
We still utilize the Confederate (Rebel) flag on stage every night in our shows, we are and always will be a Southern American Rock band, first and foremost. We also utilize the state flag of Alabama and the American flag as well, ‘cause at the end of the day, we are all Americans.
“I only stated my opinion that the [C]onfederate flag, at times, was unfairly being used as a symbol by various hate groups, which is something that we don’t support the flag being used for. The Confederate flag means something more to us, Heritage not Hate…”
***
You think that Kasim Reed’s Sunday description of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney as a “bad NASCAR driver” was an impromptu product of the Atlanta mayor’s imagination? Consider this from Politicalusa.com:
According to a new Zogby Poll the wheels are close to coming off the Romney campaign. President Obama leads Mitt Romney among NASCAR fans, 48%-41%.
***
China appears to be then chosen topic of the day at the highest political levels. In a new TV ad, the GOP campaign of presidential nominee Mitt Romney claims:
“China is stealing American ideas and technology, everything from computers to fighter jets. Seven times Obama could have taken action. Seven times he said no. His policies cost us two million jobs. Obama had years to stand up to China. We can’t afford four more.”
No doubt attempting to pre-empt the attack, the Democratic re-election campaign of Barack Obama issued a memo on Romney’s 2011 tax returns, which includes this:
One of the many shocking revelations… was that he invested more than $75,000 in shares of Cnooc Limited, the Chinese state-owned oil company. It wasn’t until Romney decided that he was going to start talking tough on China in the context of his presidential campaign that he dumped the shares.
***
Kate McKinnon, a new cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” did a more than passable turn this weekend as Ann Romney, defending her husband against GOP back-biters:
***
In a surprising article marking the one-year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, the liberal website Daily Kos listed the movement’s “seven sins.” Among them was “wacko contamination:”
Well-meaning people from many backgrounds joined Occupy, hoping to lend their voices to a genuine people’s movement. Some of them suffer from psychiatric disorders that often lead to marginalization. Unfortunately, Occupy did not marginalize them as well. This means that folks obviously and transparently unable to behave appropriately in community were given the floor for misbehavior ranging from self-centered ramblings to physical violence. Repeatedly.
***
Speaking of life on the streets: Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed today is to unveil his own anti-panhandling ordinance – after vetoing one recently passed by the City Council.
While on his most recent “Meet the Press” visit to Washington, Reed was asked by Daniel Malloy, the AJC’s man in D.C., why he didn’t work with council members to help them avoid his rejection. Reed’s reply indicates that he wants to bring state Capitol sensibilities to City Hall:
”I respect legislators. I was one for 11 years. If I were moving a bill, I would go speak to the governor’s office, the Speaker and the lieutenant governor. It’s not the reverse. So I don’t know where other folks got their legislative training.
“The legislative training I received said that if you’re carrying an item that has to be implemented by the executive branch, you may be the one that has a conversation with the executive branch. I have never seen in my time the executive branch monitoring what legislators are doing. I respect the legislative process. I think that they bring tremendous wisdom and value, but I review their issues as they come to me.”
***
According to Georgia Tipsheet, 12th District congressional candidate Lee Anderson told supporters on Saturday that U.S. House Speaker John Boehner will drop into Georgia on Oct. 15 to help him in his bid to oust Democratic incumbent John Barrow of Augusta.
Two other members of House GOP leadership, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, are also expected next month.
***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today takes a look at a claim by former secretary of state Karen Handel, made in her new book, that “Obamacare will provide coverage for abortions, despite the president’s commitment that it would not.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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84 comments Add your comment
JF McNamara
September 24th, 2012
4:36 pm
@Producer,
I don’t have a problem with the statues or anything like that. I’ve never said that. What I said was that if something that happened 150 years ago still has a profound effect on you, you need to get a life.
I also never said that Black people carry a chip on their shoulder. What I said is that some of the people who were mistreated are still alive and that is a difference. If there were civil war veterans still alive, I would definitely be more sensitive. There aren’t and haven’t been for a long, long time.
As far as I can tell, Black people aren’t waving flags or conducting any mass behavior about those times, are they? By and large, Blacks have moved on. Aside from MLK day, its not something that is a factor in most Black people’s every day life.
We’ve fought World War 1, 2 Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm and none of them are talked about nearly as much as a 150 year war. Get over it and Get a life.
Rafe Hollister
September 24th, 2012
4:39 pm
Yes, CC, that’s why totalitarian societies ALWAYS have the best health care
True statement, according to Michael Moore, who taunts how wonderful the Cuban system is. Hugo Chavez even went there for his cancer treatment.
So, you have your choice, Freedom or “Free?” Obamacare. I am sure, that unfortunately, many of the unprepared and unmotivated in society today will choose the “Free?” Obamacare. Sad, to say the least!!!
cc
September 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
“that’s why totalitarian societies ALWAYS have the best health care”
I am sure that Castro, Putin and Sean Penn agree with you.
cc
September 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
“The same could be said for road building, schools, garbage pickup, policing, etc”
Every one of those services benefit the totality of an entity, and are paid for by those who actually pay taxes.
“health care makes a lot more sense when it is planned in a centralized fashion”
. . . and the government bureaucrats decide for the individual what health care is approved for his/her treatment? You can put lipstick on it, but it’s still a pig.
Prez Obozo
September 24th, 2012
5:03 pm
You will never persuade me the war was fought over slavery. The South wanted to break away & form its own country. Most all ports & more production warehouses were in the south than the north. The north realized they would struggle so they claimed the was was about slavery. What was the difference when the carpetbaggers came…..
Baron DeKalb
September 24th, 2012
5:06 pm
CC: “I am sure that Castro, Putin and Sean Penn agree with you.”
CC, I was trying to make a joke. Everyone who pays attention to what happens outside of our borders knows that the best health care systems are in societies that enjoy well-protected civil liberties and a very high quality of life. Of course, we’ll never be on par with these countries as long as people like you raise the hoary spectre of “socialism” any time anyone tries to do something in a way that makes sense.
Baron DeKalb
September 24th, 2012
5:10 pm
The South wanted to break away & form its own country BECAUSE THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO KEEP SLAVERY IN PLACE. You can play all the word games you want, anyone with a basic knowledge of history should understand the CENTRAL place of slavery in Southern secession. Yeah, the Yankees weren’t all fighting to free the slaves–that doesn’t change the fact that the tension leading up to the break in 1860 was almost exclusive related to slavery. Time to face facts, folks.
Our Less Fortunate Friends
September 24th, 2012
5:31 pm
Jon Stewart described the mountain that most of the people of the south live on.
CC lives near the peak.
honested
September 24th, 2012
5:39 pm
While reading this discussion I am taken back to 7th Grade History.
We had a teacher who was very fluent in the ‘War Between The States’ (as we were instructed to refer to it) and in the entirety of the conditions and battles therein.
Unfortunately, all of this was presented in a fashion that explained the situations that should have been changed in order for the South to win.
I wonder how many history classes are still taught in that fashion?
honested
September 24th, 2012
5:41 pm
cc,
Once again, you prove an absolute lack of consciousness of healthcare in the rest of the world.
Apparently you are in that ever-shrinking minority that confuses the ‘best healthcare in the world’ (not the US) with the ‘most expensive healthcare in the world’ (definitely the US).
Auntie Christ
September 24th, 2012
5:46 pm
Enter your comments here
cc
September 24th, 2012
5:47 pm
“We had a teacher who was very fluent in the ‘War Between The States’ (as we were instructed to refer to it)”
You were instructed correctly, unless you opt for my favorite, the War of Northern Aggression. A civil war is a war fought between two or more factions for control of the central government. The South did NOT want control of the central government, they just wanted secession.
cc
September 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
“Once again, you prove an absolute lack of consciousness of healthcare in the rest of the world.”
Pick a place that will have you, be it Cuba, Russia or anywhere else. Move there and be a REAL socialist/communist; don’t wait for Obama to finish his transformation.
Please, try to pick a location where you will not have internet access.
cc
September 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
“Apparently you are in that ever-shrinking minority that confuses the ‘best healthcare in the world’”
I am in the MAJORITY of American citizens who do not want ObamaCare . . .
Don Abernethy
September 24th, 2012
5:58 pm
Hang on to the flag. Looks like we many be having another civil war soon.
honested
September 24th, 2012
6:05 pm
cc,
Of course you cling to your fantasy rather than address the contention.
The MOST EXPENSIVE is no longer the BEST.
honested
September 24th, 2012
6:07 pm
cc,
And you appeared to have missed the crux of 7th Grade History.
Hopelessly clinging to ‘what would have made the South win’ is just like hopelessly clinging to each of the antiquated nonsense that pass for ’southern valor’.
The south lost. The battle flag of the defeated enemy has no place in modern commerce.
cc
September 24th, 2012
7:13 pm
“The south lost. The battle flag of the defeated enemy has no place in modern commerce.”
You evidently have trouble reading for I have not referenced the Confederate battle flag in any of my posts.
Typical for you . . .
Producer
September 24th, 2012
7:18 pm
JF, if blacks have moved on how in the world can you explain the actions of Jesse and Sharpton?
Producer
September 24th, 2012
7:22 pm
Honested, by your writing that ’southern valor’ is nonsense, it just shows those who read your post what an ass you truly are! Tell that to those Southern families who have lost their sons and daughters in our current conflicts! Please, please post more….
Producer
September 24th, 2012
7:35 pm
Those Southern Valor ‘nonsensical’ military enlistees made up approximately 42% of all recent enlistees, almost a two to one ratio over any other region. Your thoughts, Honested? Surely their valor/motivation is another example of your ‘antiquated nonsense?’
Michael
September 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
Americans get mighty upset about their symbols.
Swann
September 24th, 2012
10:37 pm
I’m a black female, southern born. Love Lynyrd Skynard, Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie, Allman Brothers and many more Southern Bands. I am an American, not hyphenated with anything. I’m not a Democrat nor Republican. The Civil War is over, MLK is dead, racism lives. Find happiness in those around you and stop living in the past and perpetuating stereotypes.
honested
September 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
producer,
It is sad that so many of our youth have been sacrificed for no legitimate reason other than to uphold the honor of a disgraced former President (you know, he did try to kill my daddy).
Yet they share something with the sacrificed confederate losers, they will not see another day.
Dead is dead. Being killed while chasing a lie does not make anyone any less dead.
What is it you produce but hot air?
honested
September 24th, 2012
10:53 pm
producer,
I guess your ’statistic’ shows that our region is either sufficiently blighted with poverty or with those longing to ’serve their master’ to send them into such a wasted effort.
kenhotlanta
September 24th, 2012
11:14 pm
I disagree with your comment that Skynyrd is the “South’s premier rock band”. That honor belongs to The Allman Brothers Band.
slimseville
September 25th, 2012
1:46 am
“if blacks have moved on how in the world can you explain the actions of Jesse and Sharpton?”
@Producer: Your first mistake would be assuming that Jesse and Al speak for all black people. The media has crowned them as the spokesmen for the black community despite the fact that most of my friends and family members (I’m black by the way, lol) recognize them as grandstanders.
Bubba
September 25th, 2012
1:47 am
I grew up with a Confederate flag hanging on my bedroom wall , hearing my grandmother’s stories of her parents’ childhood during the Civil War and family traditions of hiding silver from the terrible yankees. But even then it had become a symbol of racism and segregation. As a child I asked my father why the state flag had been changed to include the Rebel battle flag and I was told it was a symbol of resistance to integration. Despite the gloss about state rights, it was clear that defense of the institution of slavery was the main reason my great-great-grandfathers had fought and died for the Confederacy. That flag flew over their ranks from 1861 to 1865, and appropriately flies over their graves now. Let them and their flag rest in peace as relics of an ugly epoch in our history.
Kat
September 25th, 2012
6:43 am
I REALLY hope that Romney doesn’t win if this is the person we’ll have to see play his wife week in and week out.
Morning Reads for Tuesday, September 25th — Peach Pundit
September 25th, 2012
7:47 am
[...] and, among NASCAR voters, well Mitt if you’re not first…(AJC-PoliticalInsider) [...]
Hot Dog
September 25th, 2012
9:14 am
Hey CC……….
I am in the MAJORITY of American citizens who do not want ObamaCare . . .
*****************************************************************************************************************
When did you become the spokesperson for the MAJORITY OF AMERICANS?
SPEAK for YOURSELF, LOSER! You have no IDEA what the MAJORITY of AMERICANS THINK OR WANT!
It’s people like you that are IDIOTS FOR MAKING SUCH A STUPID STATEMENT!
Why don’t you go and get a LIFE and let the MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES! IDIOT!
SO SPEAKS HOT DOG!
OBAMA 2012
Producer
September 25th, 2012
10:17 am
Hot dog, cc did not say he spoke for Americans. He said he was in the majority of Americans who do not want Obama Care. That is true, according to every poll taken. Nothing idiotic in what he wrote. Why don’t you read his post again. Speaking of losers, I’m sure that is a subject you could speak intelligently about.
honested
September 25th, 2012
10:20 am
producer,
You might want to look at recent polling.
Since AFP stopped their ad campaign, even the dullards realize that the Affordable Care Act is in their best interest.
Hot Dog
September 25th, 2012
11:51 am
Hey Producer you BOZO,
Your comment shows your LACK of INTELLIGENCE! How many times have we seen POLLS( as you referred to) shown to be inaccurate? Let me call your attention to the polls in North Carolina. You know, the one with 30,000 dead people on the rolls, voting? I no more trust a poll that I would trust a LOSER like you and CC! NOW go and GET A LIFE!..LOSER!
HOT DOG HAS SPOKEN!
OBAMA 2012