Photo from the Cottonmouth Blog
The Confederate battle flag got raised today over the Mississippi Supreme Court in Jackson. The picture above -- and the news -- comes by way of Cottonmouth, an estimable lefty blog in my home state of Mississippi.
When I called the court to ask about it, the spokeswoman explained to me that they were as surprised as anyone to see the wrong flag up there. "The court asked that it be taken down immediately," Beverly Kraft said.
The job of raising and lowering the flags belongs to the Mississippi State Capitol Police, where a Lieutenant Hamilton said they had taken the Confederate flag down as soon as they were alerted. "We got on it in a hurry, as fast as we could," he said.
But where did the Confederate flag come from in the first place? Kym Wiggins, with the state department of finance and administration, says the Mississippi flag they'd been flying over the court had gotten tattered. They ordered a new pair of flags, with one to fly and one to keep in reserve. Wiggins says the Confederate flags were shipped to them, by mistake, in boxes that were mislabeled "Mississippi flag." Sometime around 2 P.M., workers opened a box and hoisted what they believed was the real state flag.
The Mississippi flag (pictured at right) does contain the old Confederate flag. "Without the wind blowing, you know, it's about a 10-by-15-foot flag," Wiggins said. "You don't hook it on and lay it out flat first. The bars and stars do show in the upper left corner." So up went the Confederate flag, where it flew for about two hours until someone pointed it out and the state police hustled it back down.
P.S. The Mississippi flag is the only one in the nation that still contains the Confederate symbol. In a 2001 referendum, two-thirds of the voters said the state should keep it. UPDATE, Saturday morning: The local paper report, basically the same, says the boxes were labeled "Mississippi state flag."
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I am sorry but I am calling "BULLPUCKEY"!
Having raised more than a few flags in my time there is no way in hell that you put up a flag like that and not know it! Even if they had put it up they would have realized their mistake as soon as it was up not 2 hours later!!!
If you've ever been to Jackson on a Friday afternoon, you might understand how nobody noticed. There aren't all that many people around.
I meant the people who put it up had to notice. Think about it...
The first thing you have to do when you fly a flag is unfold it. Not all the way but you have to do it enough to get the "Hoist" part of the flag open to get at the grommets then once you have the top hooked on you pull it up until you set the other one and then you hoist it up the rest of the way with the rope.
Having done that what is your first natural inclination? You look up at it. Even without wind there is just no way you could confuse those two flags if you were even only half paying attention.
I think most likely someone was trying to make a joke or...something like one...and then didn't want to own up to it when they got caught...but the idea that this was a "Mistake"...that doesn't "Fly".
The Mississippi flag is the only one in the nation that still contains the Confederate symbol. In a 2001 referendum, two-thirds of the voters said the state should keep it.
Further proof that Mississippi is still the Southern Capital of Stupidity.
The Confederate flag in the large photo accompanying this article
is being flown upside down. How do I know?
I don't... and neither would they. Stupid flag, Stupid confederates.
They wanted to break from the United States. They still do. Stupid.
They don't know up from down. But I already said that.
My, my bdirms such a nasty little troll
do you feel better now?
Technically, LA is capital of stupidity...
Wrong. Long before MLK, we in LA knew that slavery was cruel, was an institution that should never be celebrated and that thousands of Americans lost their lives to change the course of our history. Seems to me that a state that embraces the confederate flag, votes to keep it with the truth and knowledge about the horror that was created for fellow Americans because of their race, has much to explain -- stupidity is not the word I would pick for the people who bought and flew this flag or believe that those of us raised on the West Coast of the United States, having delt with integration long before the South and without police humiliating kids and killing people demonstrators has much to be proud of!
Barbara- would you support Obama declaring Mississippi a terrorist state and sending his drones there to alleviate the situation?
Works for me!
Yep, I'm not necessarily against targeted strikes via drones at all. And, it seems as if liberals and democrats are on board as well. It sure will get interesting when a republican gets elected and continues the policy. Well, maybe not. I mean, it would be the ultimate hypocrisy if democrats complained about these hits in that situation, so they would most likely it and watch... Right.....
Only a fool would actually believe that there would be no difference between who a Republican President would target and who President Obama is targeting.
Does it matter? The policy has been developed. Republicans actually like it. Democrats love it. I think it works as well. Once the policy is enacted, as it has been, then, we just have to live with the results no matter which side is in power.
Well, of course it matters a great deal who is in power, and I'm sure you realize that.
Oh, I see. Your side can use it, but my side can't. Hypocritical. We already have a white paper from Obama and holder stating it is legal.
mississippi is an island unto itself, steeped in cotton fields, slavery, abuse, self-righteous defensiveness, and racisim beyond belief. it is a horrible place filled with leftover tragedies and victims of past practice that hasnt the "right" brain power to be a good anything. And they are completely satisfied being a psychotic legend amongst themselves. Really, what good news ever comes out of that swamp?
Elvis...
that's about it that's all I got
"Here's to the land you've torn out the heart of...
Mississippi! Find yourself another country to be part of!"
Phil Ochs (1965)
Joseph, I am curious. How much time have you actually spent in Mississippi?
Faulkner
What good ever came out of MS:
Root Beer was invented there, 1898
Teddy Bears got their name from Teddy Roosevelt, who ordered the mercy killing of a bear on a hunt in MS, 1902
The first bone pinning was conducted by Dr. Leslie Rush in a MS hospital, 1936. The Rush Pin is still used today.
1963, first human lung transplant, Columbia MS
1935, Elvis born in Tupelo
X-men character Rogue is from MS.
The Sundance Solar Race Team from Houston, MS won the contest for the 7 past years in a row.
should I go on?
Mud was originally discovered there.
The capital was named after Samuel l
They have a flag they fly upside down. Some of them don't know it.
Msssspp... without vowels, their state sounds like a snake with a speech impediment
iii.. on the other hand, their state has three eyes. Or rather, on the other head...
Eudora Welty, Tennesee Williams and many others...Mississippi is a wonderful place and you will find better race relations there than in most of the blue states.
Greg "Fingers" Taylor-harmonica player for Jimmy Buffett. And all the Delta Blues musicians.
Not to be fussy, but that is the Battle Flag of Tennessee, not the official "Confederate Flag." (which would be square)
Seriously, though, if the people putting up the flag are that unconscious of their surroundings maybe it's time to get someone else to do it. This was a completely preventable error.
OK, John, I'm impressed. Is there a word for flag expert?
Yes, but I had to look it up.
vexillologist (link to wikipedia: Vexillology)
As a disclaimer and aside: I realize that the flag in the image above is widely recognized and accepted as the confederate flag. I am not suggesting the original "fussy" remark as a criticism. It is only that flags and their symbolism are an interest of mine, especially in an official capacity at a government building.
That's not what I would have guessed, and I'm sorry I didn't stop to look it up myself -- cranking out a segment for the show tonight.
No trouble at all, glad to be of service. :)
[decided to delete comment]
John i believe the flag started as the Northern Virginia Battle Flag and was adopted across the south in many of their battle flags
*Thumbs Up* Nice one Mississippi. Nice one.
/sarcasm
What part of MS are you from, Laura? I'm from North MS. My hometown was population 3,000. My mother now lives in Tupelo (birthplace of Elvis).
My people are from Lee County, too -- my father is from Saltillo, my mother from Plantersville. I grew up all over, mostly near the Reservoir.
Wow. Small world.
It is time for Obama to send the drones.
Yep- they voted against him- that qualifies them as terrorists and gets them on the list.
Being controlled by insurrectionist Neo-Confederates qualifies them.
Yep. We just have to let Americans know what will or won't get them on the drone hit list. Or, maybe Obama can keep it a secret formula and then just surprise us? Obama could take out confederates, NRA members and code pink people. Then, maybe the next President will define occupy wall streeters as terrorists- could get rid of them as well...
People like you are doing your damndest to get on that list, whether or not you realize it.
And that, my friend, is why, as I do support this policy, I must also support the 2nd amendment. In a real sense, it is why it was written.
I see...you support having Neo-Confederates arm themselves to overthrow the US Government.
Nope- that is you trying to make a point by stating a lie, then trying to support it by assigning it to another. I really haven't heard of any supporter of the 2nd amendment advocating an overthrow. You are just being stupid.
Do they have shoe stores in Mississippi?
They call Nevada the Mississippi of the west. Just sayin'.
Mistakenly? Ya think?
Rachel. Are they makin their own money too like the Repubs in Virginia?
Oh what the heck, it's only a flag!
They should have flown the Gadsden flag, to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
"There's nothing wrong with the land, just some of the people."
Give Mississippi a break. They're more innovative and ground breaking than we give them credit for.
Mississippi has taken the first steps towards clean coal energy technology. The Kemper County clean coal plant will make the leap into coal gasification (to reduce carcinogen emission rates) and incorporate CO2 capture to power conversion. This is one of two clean coal projects selected for US clean coal funding and supported by the Secretary of Energy.
A pretty visual presentation by Rep Jim Ellington: http://www.sseb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JimEllington.pdf
Contentious reading: http://msbusiness.com/blog/tag/kemper-county-clean-coal-plant/
Like any new industry, it has it's contentious opposition, primarily the Sierra Club. But hey, the Sierra Club would protest dog farts in public parks if they thought it would garner them more influence and financial interest in the fertilizer industry.
you need to leave mississippi alone, i am a texas native with deep confederate roots here in mississippi. Mississippi drew a line in the sand and said enough is enough we are tired of the politically correct minority telling us how to live. if you dont like the confederate flag leave the south. it part of our heritage and states history. that flag stood for honor and bravery on the battlefield, not some dimwitted hate groups that misused the confederate flag. That what is wrong with people these days they have been brainwashed into thinking that the war for southern independence was over slavery. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!! it was fought for states rights and taxation without representation, plain and simple. Major General J.D. Wilson Commander of The South Mississippi Division and The Acting Commander of The South Alabama Division of The New Confederate Army
And the swastika is a symbol of balance, well-being, and is considered a lucky charm. I'd still never use it cause it's got racist connotations.
Yes, the Swastika is a holy Hindu symbol and is thought to be effective in warding off demons and supernatural beings of ill intent. It is also well represented in other cultures, sometime with 3 arms sometimes with six. It is also called a sundial or a flyflot.
Now it is also irrevocably linked with genocide and hatred.
Neo-Confederate revisionist history has no legitimate place in public discourse.
I wonder how many guns J.D.Wilson has stashed away? I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him on the evening news someday. The day will come when the minority becomes the majority.
[Meant to be a response to the one above]
Fishin' worms ain't the only Night Crawlers out and about this evening. . .
Being born and raised in the greatest state there is, I can't help but notice the ignorance of some on this string of comments. I won't begin to debate all the causes of the War here. It would go on deaf ears but, ancestors in more than a dozen states fought for their Independence and lost.
That doesn't mean we will forget the sacrifice made by this brave men & women who 95% didn't even own slaves but, were themselves sharecroppers & farmers who were fighting to protect their homeland.
We are proud of our Flag, Our People, Our State, Our Accomplishments. Many of these are listed here.
It is true, the Winner writes the History. Mississippi and the rest of the South Lost so, people of ignorance like some of the ones here gets to say what they perceive regardless of the facts.
and in the words of Forrest Gump.........
That's all I got to say about that. :)
Tim,
As a descendant of veterans of the Army of Northern Virginia, I would kindly remind you that the flag in this story is the Battle Flag -- a military banner.
The CSA had civilian flags and battle flags, and Jeff Davis probably rolls over in his grave every time a military banner is flown over a civil building.
John...,
I doubt very much that Jefferson Davis would mind all that much, and I'm sure that the Neo-Confederate above you is one of the "Fergit, Hell!" crowd, and realizes that it is the battle flag.
Really, and how big is it when the wind is blowing? Nonsense. I live in Mississippi, both flags are flown all over the place. Unless the guy was blindfolded, he knew what he was hoisting.
i think they are getinng ready for a revolution....