Florida lawmaker seeks Confederate flag specialty plate.
By on Feb 25th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Florida lawmaker seeks Confederate flag specialty plate.
Florida state Rep. Donald Brown (R) introduced a bill last week to create a “Confederate Heritage” license plate for the state. Saying “it would give motorists a way to show pride in their heritage,” Brown proposes a $25 charge for motorists to purchase a plate with “a shield displaying the rebel battle flag symbol surrounded by several flags from the Civil War era.” The money would benefit “educational programs run by Sons of Confederate Veterans,” which considers the Civil War to be “the Second American Revolution.”
UPDATE: Via The Buzz:
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Bachmann
Beck
Boehner
Bush
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
Dobbs
Economy
Education
Election
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Global Warming
Health Care
Immigration
International Relations
Iraq
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
Maddow
McCain
Media
Military
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Public Plan
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Sports
Steele
Steve King
Stimulus
Tea Parties
Technology
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
What, no nooses?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:09 pmFormer members of the Jeb Administration receive a discount!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:12 pmThe money would benefit “educational programs run by Sons of Confederate Veterans,†which considers the Civil War to be “the Second American Revolution.â€
Which they lost.
‘Nuff said.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:12 pmIs that $25 U.S. or will they take Confederate money as well?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:13 pm25 dollars and you too can be a racist bigot for all the world to see.
Why is the South so darn stupid, is it the heat, does it fry their minds or maybe it’s something in the water.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:14 pmIt’s STILL funny and relevant. Visit: Fu*ktheSouth.com
February 25th, 2008 at 5:15 pm” southern man”
shit for brains
February 25th, 2008 at 5:15 pmFu*ktheSouth.com – - But use the “c” in the address.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:16 pm#1 Beat me to it, but it would be apropos for the customized plate to feature a noose strategically placed so it dangles from the X pattern.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:19 pmComment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
back on the payroll, eh?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:19 pmGigi thinks that, because she’s too lazy to change the plates that the previous owners put on the cars she bought out of the Pennysaver, she busts some stereotype.
Yeah, that Gig. She’s a rebel all right.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:21 pmBecause it’s too hard to drive and wear a pointed white hat at the same time?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:21 pmHow ’bout a third revolution; give Florida to Cuba.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:27 pmWhat about the Cheney plate “Go Fyuck yeerself, Yankee’!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:28 pmChoose life = four more wars!
Family values = cheat on your wife, do a crappy job raising your kids, kick them to the curb.
REPUBLICANS CAN’T FUNCTION IN A CIVIL SOCIETY!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:29 pmBecause it’s too hard to drive and wear a pointed white hat at the same time?
Comment by robbez_92107
That’s why GiGi drives a convertible.She had a sunroof at first, but kept forgetting to open the top. Now her hat can stay bleached, stiff and white – just like her.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:30 pmProud to be a southerner? No. I am proud to have family that left it behind and never looked back.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:31 pmI remember vividly traveling into NC to serve at Pope AFB (near Ft. Bragg) in 1968.
Just outside of Ft. Bragg was a regular sized billboard. A guy in a white sheet, on a white horse, with a white cross. “This is KKK country. Help fight communism and integration.”
I’m sure all of the African Americans going to Ft. Bragg for basic training before being shipped off to Vietnam were grateful for the “Support the Troops” they got from the locals.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:32 pmPersonally, I really like the specialty plate that Florida issued years ago when there were so many shootings on the highways there.
It had a gun in the background and said “Come back … we missed you”.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:33 pmConfederate soldiers were no more than terrorists and any one supporting these historic traitors are traitors themselves. Image if the German government decided to issue plates with swastikas and said there were not supporting what the Nazis stood for, but it was part of the German “Heritage”. The world would be outraged over this (besides the fact the swastika is illegal in Germany).
February 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pmI was also wondering if the plan was to issue the plates to descendants of these southern traitors or if it was open to any red-neck pecker wood.
Uh, guys in Florida, how much did Florida participate in the Civil War ?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:35 pmBelieve it or not, one of my cars still has a “Save the Manatee†specialty plate, while the other two have the standard orange (fruit) plate. So much for your stereotypes of Conservatives.
Comment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
No, I pegged you for a lonely single with three automobiles…
February 25th, 2008 at 5:35 pmBelieve it or not, one of my cars still has a “Save the Manatee†specialty plate, while the other two have the standard orange (fruit) plate.
Comment by goon_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
Even the cars up on blocks? Impressive.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:41 pmThat’d make it really easy to decide which other drivers to flip off while you’re driving in FL.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:41 pmThere are plenty of red-neck, gun-toting, racist swamp dwellers in Florida to whom this would appeal.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pmHardly. I live in a deed restricted community where I can’t even park my cars on the street at night, let alone have one on blocks.
Comment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Totally blowing my conception of a Conservative!! A restricted community?!? THREE CARS!?! A Manatee Plate !!!?! Dude, stop blowing my mind!!!!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:46 pmThe money would benefit “educational programs run by Sons of Confederate Veterans,†which considers the Civil War to be “the Second American Revolution.â€
Hey Geniuses
The American Civil War was actually WON by America ; your side did what ?
Lost ?
How the hell are you going to “educate” others when you’re all huge ignoramuses ?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pmTotally blowing my conception of a Conservative!! A restricted community?!? THREE CARS!?! A Manatee Plate !!!?! Dude, stop blowing my mind!!!!
Comment by belac — February 25, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Yes, like all of our conservative trolls, this one is fabulously successful, even though it apparently doesn’t have a job.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pmIt pains me (pains me!) ;-) to defend good golly, but about those license plates:
In Florida you keep your license plate. Forever. You simply transfer the info when you put it on another car.
As to the stupid confederate flag issue, I am so sick of racist yahoos screaming about how much they love history when they insist upon flying the confederate flag. These are the same people who voted for Bush, twice, and don’t know jack $hit about history. Or anything else.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pmCelebrating one of the worst moments in the history of our country should be an embarrassment to anyone who sees those times as glory days for the South.
While I can appreciate the ‘heritage’ or ‘culture’, that time represents American fighting American, brother fighting brother. It is nothing to be proud about.
Should we be proud that we put Japanese citizens away in internment capms too?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:52 pmIs this something that we’re supposed to do all the time now? Why don’t we just wear some ‘heritage’ bling around our necks so everyone can see how proud we are of our and our ancestor’s past. Let’s see what I would have to wear: I was born in Memphis, TN so I have to wear something signifying the Blues or the Mississippi River and maybe Bar-B-Q. Lived in Baton Rouge, LA for some years so I have to wear something cajun and Mardi Gras looking. I live in Lexington, KY now and I guess I need to wear something honoring Bluegrass and Horses. My father fought in WWII so I need something for that. He is very conservative too. I’ll skip on that one, too heavy. My grandfather owned a store so I’ll wear one for him being self employed. They are of Welsh descent so I have to wear that one also. My mother is from Louisiana so I have to wear more for that one (maybe a nice shrimp or catfish). She is of French descent so more Euro bling. My parents are divorced so I guess since I survived that I get another heritage award. Do you see how ridiculous this is?
Pride in something usually, to me at least, recognizes an accomplishment to one degree or another. What did the South accomplish in seceding from the Union? A lot of death for one. Another instance of a divided nation not unlike what we have today. And slavery. A complete and total abomination with regards to anything deemed human or humane.
If you need to feel pride in something, how about your children (if you have any). How about pride that you help your family and friends in a time of need. Keeping your community clean. Helping others do their job well because you do yours well. I wish these self-serving politicians would stop trying to resurrect the past. It’s over and done with and cannot be altered. Get over it already!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:52 pmRep. Donald D. “Don” Brown has sponsored four bills since he’s been in office.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/sponsoredbills.aspx?MemberId=4188&SessionId=57
In addition to the license plate, one of the bills will limit who can take action against an insurance company. Did you know that Dan is an insurance agent?
Another bill calls for renaming a road to “Honorary Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.” a name that would be hated by the roads department for it’s length because of the problems in making road signs. What’s wrong with MLK Jr. Ave.?
I suspect the name change bill is just a cover for his real racist attitudes, introducing it in the form he did to demean DR. King as only having an Honorary Doctorate but hoping it would not be passed.
The other bill he introduced requires businesses, State and local governments to follow Federal Immigration Laws, rules and policies.
Don Brown appears to be just your run of the mill slimeball republican. In other words a partisan racist joke
IMHO
February 25th, 2008 at 5:53 pmFlorida lawmaker seeks Confederate flag specialty plate.
Well, that’s mighty white of him.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:54 pm……i see the lynching beginning.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:57 pmlost part of my post/
should read; to say the civil war was not about slavery is like saying the Holocaust was not about killing Jews.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:59 pmthe $25 fee for the license plate will henceforth be known as the “flaming a-hole” surcharge.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:06 pmHardly. I live in a deed restricted community where I can’t even park my cars on the street at night, let alone have one on blocks.
Comment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
LOL, I have a friend who informed me about the trailer park across the street from him. The owner sold the park last year and the new owner kicked out the renters, demolished all the old trailers and applied for a zoning change to build a nursing home. They were turned down on the zoning change and the deed restricts them to a trailer park. The new owners will now rent spaces for privately owned trailers who will not be able to put any cars on blocks either.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:11 pmThe Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans like to try to educate people that the Civil War was not about Slavery, but rather, was about States Rights. Somehow, I think that makes them feel better about their ancestors who fought for the South.
Comment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
The Daughters and Sons of Volkswagen announces new campaign to educate public that WW2 was not really about NAZI’s and Holocaust but a giant misunderstanding about how best to manufacture Beetles and “forced labor” merely a wage dispute…
February 25th, 2008 at 6:14 pmProgressives are so open-minded and tolerant, until it comes to the South. Then you go off like pit bulls on a possum. Yes, the South is traditionalist and a little bit backwards, but not every Southerner who is proud of the region is a racist or a bigot. btw, it’s called “The War of Northern Aggression,” not “The Second American Revolution.”
February 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pmhttp://newsprism.wordpress.com
might as well just make a license plate that says:
I HATE NI**ERS
I can believe the this bigotry.
I guess Rush Limbaugh has his answer now. If Obama gets elected, that will not mean that racism is over. this plate is evidence that we are far away from that.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:31 pmWas Florida part of the Confederation? When..?
February 25th, 2008 at 6:33 pmbtw, it’s called “The War of Northern Aggression,†not “The Second American Revolution.â€
http://newsprism.wordpress.com
Comment by dictatortot — February 25, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Interesting, insomuch as the South fired the first shots, on the garrison at Ft. Sumter…
February 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pmAny real “heritage” plate for Florida should feature the flag of Spain, not some gimmick trotted out by politicians long after Florida’s colonization.
Back to school, Mr. Brown.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:36 pmThe Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans like to try to educate people that the Civil War was not about Slavery, but rather, was about States Rights.
Comment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
It’s so clear now – the Civil War was not about slavery, it was about states’ rights to allow slavery.
Duh.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pmThe Confederacy was a treasonous act. That Republicans champion a racist, traitorous movement/government should be indicting. This is their mentality!
February 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pmWill rep. brown wear his “patriotic” confederate lapel pin?
February 25th, 2008 at 6:40 pmwell… from a graphic artist’s point of view, it really is
February 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pman attractive design… i’ll give it that…
Stars and Bars=Losers’ Flag.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:04 pmYes, let do three cheerers for our wonderful heritage.
Hurray for hoop skirts, plantation homes, and glorious officers who bravely marched out to overthrow the federal government by force. Firing on the Stars and Bars was such a thrill–trying to drag old glory in the mud.
And there were the sad and poignant of limping home in defeat. Creeping bleeding and freezing into a poor widow’s barn to steal her last hen.
Best of all, there were the great old days of lynching, whipping, and beating. Back in the good old days when the good folks had privacy in the rest rooms and the “n****rs” had to go in the woods.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pmWell, “Florida Is For Losers” just doesn’t have the same pizzazz.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:16 pmI’ve lived in Florida for the past 46 years. It was like that in north Florida when I landed, but this stupid-ass retard redneck is trying to make a mockery out of anything good that has ever happened in this country.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:23 pmCharlie Crist, the governor, had better have his running shoes on if he even thinks about supporting this piece of trash.
The Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans like to try to educate people that the Civil War was not about Slavery, but rather, was about States Rights.
Comment by good_golly — February 25, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
Vt has essentially made less than 2 ounces no biggie!
February 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pmWas Florida part of the Confederation? When..?
Comment by tarazan — February 25, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
Quick history of Florida:
1513 Discovered and named by Ponce de Leon.
1565 St. Augustine founded by Pedro Menendez.
1763 Spanish cede Florida to Great Britian.
1783 Spanish regain Florida after British lose Revolutionary War
1819 Spain cedes Florida to United States, Florida becomes Territory
1845 Florida becomes 27th State
1861 Florida seceded from the Union; ten days later, the state became a founding member of the Confederate States of America.
1868 Florida restored to Statehood.
Union troops occupied St. Augustine, but outside the City, Florida was under Confederate control.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pmLets see how long they keep these when their cars start getting keyed, wheels slashed, and windshield’s busted with a brick.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:31 pmYes with a picture of a black person hanging from a noose on a tree. That’s what America would stand for and show it with pride. Well we know the Supreme Court will get rid of that Civil Rights and Woman’s Rights Bill and put woman back in the kitchen and bed room. yes the Blacks even Obama can look forward to who their Master will be. Welcome to the new America.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pmBlack people in Florida should buy these plates and display them with a license plate frame that says “Of Genocide and Slavery” below.
By the way, the “States Rights” argument is based on property rights, meaning the right to keep human beings as property without interference from other states in the Union, so the canard of the Civil War not being about slavery is exposed.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:51 pmI think that former family members (and others) of Nazi’s should be allowed to get special recognition and be allowed to display Nazi symbols with pride! This is how ridiculous these “proud” Confederates sound.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:12 pmThe War Between the Union and Confederate States took many lives. I recognize that many issues of the Conderates were never really resolved, but defeated miliarily. But, at the end of the day, the Confederates lost the war. There principles and beliefs — the underlying reasons for conflict — were victims of this defeat.
To allow this “pride” to be displayed is an affront to the beliefs and principles that prevailed. Confederate symbols should be archived and rendered relics of principles defeated.
Why not a Svastika? Simple & cool design. And a lot or the Republican base has one tattooed already.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:31 pmFloriduh
That’s brilliant, let’s honor an armed rebellion against the U.S. government for the state’s right to let their citizens own other human beings as slaves.
Almost makes one tend to believe those jokes about rednecks marrying their cousins.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:45 pmYet another reason to hate Florida.
AF
February 25th, 2008 at 9:15 pmIs that patriotic, Rep. Brown? Will Floridians then exchange their rhinestone encrusted American flag pins for Confederate Flag pins?
February 25th, 2008 at 9:23 pmWhy not a Svastika? Simple & cool design. And a lot or the Republican base has one tattooed already.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — February 25, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
I like it! :D
Just cut through the crap, and go for the Swastika. C’mon Florida, you know you want to…
February 25th, 2008 at 9:24 pm2 observations on the above:
1) Being from the south, I’ve noticed, oddly enough, that the folks waving the stars and bars are also usually confirmed Bushies.
2) semi in jest – as Bush just recognized the succession of Kosovo, wouldn’t that imply that the succession on the South was perfectly A-OK ?
February 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pmIf they REALLY want this plate so much… as they say “to show their pride”… then they won’t mind if the proceeds go to the NAACP.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm#64 Saint Augustine,
Thank you for the information you posted..
February 25th, 2008 at 9:54 pmCall me a fool, but I fail to see where there could be any pride in committing the traitorous act of sedition, then getting completely destroyed in combat.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:54 pmJust cut through the crap, and go for the Swastika. C’mon Florida, you know you want to…
Comment by Zooey — February 25, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
It’s useful for people proud of their Hindu OR Nazi heritage – what could possibly be the problem?
February 25th, 2008 at 10:10 pm#64 Saint Augustine,
Thank you for the information you posted..
Comment by tarazan — February 25, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
You’re welcome. Being a licensed tour guide paid off on this thread, LOL.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:24 pmJust cut through the crap, and go for the Swastika. C’mon Florida, you know you want to…
Comment by Zooey — February 25, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
Actually Zooey, the people who would buy this plate would probably see it as an insurance policy against being stopped by local cops. I mean if you were a redneck cop, would you give your drinking buddy a ticket for speeding or arrest him just because his wife made him angry and caused him to hit her. These are license plates for members of the “good old boys” club.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:33 pmThat flag symbolizes one thing and one thing only. Slavery. It is in the same league as a Swastika. The sight of it causes rage.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:24 amIt is an attractive plate. I would only suggest that we also make available a plate that reads, “Reconstruction – Give it a Chance”. Graphic would be various FEDERAL flags – the Betsy Ross flag, Old Glory, etc, – surrounding a tableau of multi-racial faces, superimposed over a map of either Florida, or better yet, of the Confederate States.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:35 am.
Why does Florida state Rep. Donald Brown (R) hate America?
.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:21 amGood Goofy doesn’t believe the leg will pass this.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:17 amWhy, the average politician in Florida looks like Jabba the Hutt, and will pass anything most thinking people wouldn’t touch.
As a Floridian, I find this to be highly destable.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:49 amWhat a bunch of idiots! The commenters I mean, not the plate supporters. Between all of you, there must be enough brain cells to produce an IQ of at least 30. It’s more than obvious that most of you have absolutely no real knowledge of the South or the deep feelings that real Southerners still have for the Confederacy. I served as an Army Artillery officer in Vietnam, but still consider myself as a true Confederate and would vote tomorrow to seceed if I had the chance. Hell, if Kosovo can do it and have the support of Washington, why can’t we? That would seem to solve most of your problems also, as most of those folks you consider idiots for loving the South wouldn’t be in YOUR country anymore! All we really want is to have the lily-livered, idiotic Liberals move north if they’re here, stay north if they’re there and stay the hell away from us!
I know that it’s actually impossible to reason with liberal bigots who have their minds made up that anyone who disagrees with them must be insane, however, let me try to make something clear! Whatever you think about the South, the Confederacy, or anything else for that matter, makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE to those of us who know that you don’t have a clue!
March 11th, 2008 at 2:10 pmWhat alot of you do not understand is that Confederate Heritage is not racist. It is the same as having pride of being Mexican, Black or any other race or countryman, as you should be. This is just to show that we are proud of who we are and of being from the southern states. I hope I have shed a little light on this subject for those that just can’t understand pride vs prejudice and say that we are racist.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:01 pm