How About a Nice Giant Ball of Twine?

A group in Tampa, FL purchased land right near the intersection of two major highways, I-75 and I-4. You would think that would be a great place to put a gas station, maybe a motel, or a Waffle House, which apparently are required to be at every highway exit in the South. No, this is not a money making venture, they did it so they could fly what is believed to be largest Confederate flag in the world.

The Sons of Confederate Veteran’s, the group that bought the land and erected the pole and flag, also wants to build a monument to Confederate soldiers. I know a lot of people will get up in arms about the Stars and Bars flying anywhere. A lot of people feel it is a symbol of racism and even treason. You can judge for yourself by the statement on the group’s web site:

“It is our Duty as descendants of these brave Confederate Ancestors to restore their sacred banner, the Confederate Battle Flag, back to it's rightful place of honor!" It also includes a "Salute to the Confederate Flag" which reads, "I salute the Confederate Flag with affection, reverence and undying devotion to the Cause for which it stands."

What cause is that? It’s a losing cause in case that group failed to remember the outcome of the war. No matter how you feel about the Confederate flag, this group has the right to fly it regardless. This is where I should go into a diatribe about how great this country is and we all have the right to say and believe what we want, not matter how ignorant and misguided. However, I did a little more research on this flag and discovered that it had to be made in China because no factory in the U.S. was equipped to produce a flag this large. I guess the big-ass flag industry has left our country for cheap labor too. Oh, and it cost $80,000. Hopefully it is made from lead paint and the good ol’ boys who have to go out and raise it each morning will soon die of lead poisoning, which will likely get passed on to their sisters.