Political correctness destroying this country

2015-07-11T09:38:24-04:00

I want everyone's opinion on all the recent claims to thinking banning a flag will somehow stop racism. You can't even buy a confederate flag on eBay anymore. Where does the military community see the future of this country going?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-07-11T10:56:39-04:00

I think this comes down to intent. The flag is an important part of our country's history, no matter what feelings surround it. It represented the confederacy in one of the most trying times in our country’s history, as such it is a symbol of our past. Through unforgivable acts which occurred in the second half of the last century the flag was partially turned into a racial symbol surrounded by hate and controversy. Those trials and tribulations need to be forever put behind us and used as a lesson for the future not a constant point of contention hurting us as a society.

There are a number of proud southerners that fly the flag in the same manner as folks fly or display flags from various other countries. Should we ban the flying or displaying of every flag but the American one in order to prevent any possible offense they may cause? Because of the elevated social sensitivity occurring these days, people immediately look at the flag as a symbol that attacks certain members of our society. Is this over sensitivity right, or is it just a product of the social tension we are currently experiencing? If the intent is to discriminate I don’t think it should be allowed, but how can this be determined or enforced without stomping on citizens’ rights?

I don’t know what the right answer is, but think that banning the flag all together is along the same lines as removing the words “Merry Christmas” because it could possibly be seen as offensive. Somewhere we have to draw the line and stop being so sensitive as a society, this includes realizing we have to see and tolerate expressions that we do not necessarily agree with.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/11/walmart-to-melt-class-rings-bearing-confederate-flag-rather-than-complete/

Walmart to ‘melt’ class rings bearing Confederate flag rather than complete orders

Walmart said it will be melted

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Jul 11 at 2015 11:10 AM

2015-07-11T11:10:48-04:00

If anyone thinks debate about the Confederate flag is confined to the Southern states, here's a story from Vermont that will make you say, "What?!"
http://www.wcax.com/story/29523007/why-woodstock-is-saying-no-to-gone-with-the-wind

Why Woodstock is saying no to 'Gone with the Wind'

Gone with the film-- that's the word from the Woodstock Arts Council. And the decision to replace "Gone with the Wind" in a summer movie series is raising some eyebrows.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jul 11 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-07-11T11:26:35-04:00

I remember the first time the Confederate flag debate occurred in SC. While a compromise was reached, I can't help thinking that if social media was at its current level then, that flag would have been gone 15 years ago.

Ultimately, our nation tends to generate a lot of thin skinned pansies who get bent out of shape over the dumbest little thing.

Christians are offended by Muslims, homosexuality and flags that aren't in accordance with their beliefs.

Too many people are offended by a flag that they feel is inappropriate -- whether it be a relic from history or a rainbow laden banner.

Veterans are offended by flag desecration (I am one of them), BUT we have the presence of mind to acknowledge our service and in some cases sacrifice, have given these buffoons that right. Additionally, a veteran is most likely to hand out an ass whooping if someone so much mistreats our beloved flag because they know the general public will get behind them.

This country is being blinded by its own sense of self-righteousness and instead of trying to improve the human condition and spirit to make society better, we're still fighting the issues that tore the nation apart from the Civil War all the way to the Civil Rights movement.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 11 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-07-11T12:13:42-04:00

Personally, it doesn't bother me. One person's "political correctness" is another person's "I don't have to put up with this." I don't have a problem with people being willing to speak out against something that offends them. Then, if society agrees with that person, society will change. If not, it won't. However, one thing is almost a certainty.....it will never change if someone isn't first willing to speak out. I don't want to live in a society where people are expected to just keep their complaints silent so that others aren't annoyed.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 11 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-07-11T12:27:33-04:00

I don't think it's "PC" that's hurting us, but rather the willingness to shut down any conversation that touches certain sacred cows. There's a very entrenched belief across both sides of the aisle that while "I" have the right to say what I want, "you" do not.

As for the flag, someone made a good observation - We learned at Newtown that even talking about gun violence was off limits, so the flag was the next best target.

Also, the flag thing has really been brewing for decades. We just have a fully functional internet this time around.

Response by SPC Carl K. made Jul 11 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-07-11T13:22:23-04:00

I see this as yet another way the PC thought police are trying to control every aspect of our lives. Blaming a flag, instead of the actual cause of the problem, i.e. the shooter, is just a way the administration, with the help of the propaganda ministry, er...I mean the media can create even more division in this country. If they wanted to really rid the country of racism, they would not give news face time to people like Al Sharpton, who is the biggest race baiter we have.

The funny thing is, I do not think race was a big deal in recent history until these last couple of years, and it seemed to really kick off after the Trayvon Martin shooting.

What irritates me about this whole thing is not the Confederate flag (I'm from the South and it was a neutral issue with me until recently), but rather the complete attack on everything Southern. Seriously, Memphis is going to dig up General Forrest's bod and his wife and remove them to a nearby cemetery. The Army is getting pressure to rename all bases named after Confederate generals, and most recently, I have heard they are going after the word "Dixie" now. They seem to want to erase all memory of the South, the Civil War, and rewrite history. These actions are the very same thing Stalin did after the Bolshevik Revolution. I am afraid I see where this country is headed, and it is not good.

Oh, and while the media is plastering this crap all over the airwaves, and telling everyone what they should be offended by, they are ignoring REAL news that may actually have an impact on us.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jul 11 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-07-11T14:07:29-04:00

an answer to PC is creative satire and sarcasm