I will have an extensive review of the same-sex marriage opinions tomorrow but here’s The Daily Show on the ugly history of the confederate flag and sudden unraveling of support for it with bastions of the south calling for its removal from public spaces.
(This clip aired on June 24, 2015. To get suggestions on how to view clips of The Daily Show and The Nightly Show outside the US, please see this earlier post. If the videos autoplay, please see here for a diagnosis and possible solutions.)
A while back someone, I think Robert Parry, wrote an article on how the Tea Party had used the ‘Founding Fathers” and other Revolutionary War phrases and symbols to replace the Confederate flag. The flag was undeniably burdened with racial bigotry and hate, and the “new” right-wing wanted something to replace it that did not have the same odorous political cachet. I think the leaders of the Republican party think the same, and they see this as a chance to rid themselves of the flag in a way that will not affect them politically. They know the die-hard flag supporters will vote for them anyway, and they can always use the “states-rights” dog whistle to evoke the same feelings among their base.