Common Sensical

"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
07/02/2015 at 09:41 • Filed to: dukes of hazzard

Political Leanings ahead. Be warned:

That’s me, at age five, at the Richland Mall in Johnstown, PA.

I’ve never been offended by the rebel flag. I understand its origins - the battle flag for a northern Virginia division of the Confederate Army - and how it has long been used as a symbol to terrorize and dehumanize anyone who isn’t a white Christian.

I think that the only place my tax dollars should be used to display it is in a museum. It’s the banner of the champions of a lost cause and any argument about “Heritage,” needs to be framed in the context of the true cause of the Civil War: Rich white southerners who wanted to keep their money and power so badly that they were willing to sacrifice an entire nation to do it.

With that said, I find it kind of sad that TVLand has pulled the Dukes of Hazzard. I loved that show as a kid. As an adult, I see the flag on that show as something that just was without any connotation.

Private companies have the right to do with their property anything they like. I won’t ever defend or even acknowledge butthurt white guys who think their lives are worse because the flag isn’t flying at a state house.

But damn if I won’t miss the orange Charger jumping streams.

DISCUSSION (14)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/02/2015 at 09:51

In a similar vein to the racist looney tunes, I would love them to be able to keep showing the TV show with a preface message. Something like - “The flag displayed on the roof of the car is from a time where it was considered acceptable to display it casually. It is not, and was not, okay to display a symbol that stood for both treason and racism. However, we are presenting this show as-is with the understanding that the characters shown do not display the same traits and callings that the symbol represents”

Kawaii-Gon Jinn > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/02/2015 at 10:05

I expected something a little more unhinged from a user called WhiteTrashSteve. I am disappoint.

LongbowMkII > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/02/2015 at 10:08

This is entirely reasonable. Maybe spike or cmt will buy the syndication rights?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
07/02/2015 at 10:20

But but but...Where’s the hysterics and crazy hand waving!?

We can’t have a reasoned discussion about something as hot-topic as racism and slavery without the appropriate hand-wringing and political posturing.

You post is also predicated that we’ve actually moved on from these petty debates and all agreed that flag should be relegated to the pages of history and museums.

Sigh...This is why we can’t get along.

ACESandEIGHTS > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/02/2015 at 10:30

This kinda sucks. Pretty soon there won’t be a document of America’s love of white trash culture via television and movies and music, e.g. Dukes, BJ and the Bear, Every Which Way But Loose, the Robert Altman movie Nashville, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison etc. And that ain’t no bullshit neither.

Also, wtf? There’s tons of awkward white guys who love to re-enact Civil War stuff... what are they supposed to wave during their charge?

A gay flag now? Is that what you’re telling me is acceptable?

Glen Campbell died for your sins.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
07/02/2015 at 10:51

I have things I actually need to get done on a daily basis. I don’t have time to be hysterical over things that don’t actually affect those things I need to get done.

AthomSfere > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/02/2015 at 10:59

Exactly.

Personal / commercial decisions = It doesn’t really matter. State endorsement of something like this = unacceptable.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
07/02/2015 at 11:11

My previous post was sarcasm pointing out how our politicians and most of society seems to behave when it comes to topics such as this one. It’s all shouting and tearing clothes, and lots of noise but no real action or change.

Where instead you posted a well-reasoned position that both explains why that flag is symbol of a terrible time in history and places it in that context without also demoralizing those who place an overly-fond loyalty to their happy geographical accident of birth.

BrtStlnd > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/02/2015 at 11:13

I agree... the flag sucks but I didn’t the The Dukes of Hazzard would be a casualty.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
07/02/2015 at 11:21

Oh I got that. Just saying it’s a lot easier to have discussion instead of hot air venting when you realize that your life is usually not very affected by these things. Unless you are affected by it in which case feel free to spout off about it. See - “gay marriage” (it’s about more than just gays but for simplicity’s sake...) and institutionalized racism.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
07/02/2015 at 11:28

I agree.

As a married, white, hetero male I do not feel my marriage is in any way affected by the recent SC ruling.

And, while having been born in Texas, I grew up in Ohio so I do not understand this obsession with that flag. But I don’t spend inordinate amounts of time dwelling on it. It does not affect my daily life so I just ignore it.

Axial > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
07/02/2015 at 21:37

I actually think it’s sad that you would need any disclaimer at all; it should be understood.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Axial
07/02/2015 at 22:00

Well, in the case of the cartoons, that was how people of color were depicted. It just was as it was. But to this day, hate groups take those images and parade them around going “HA HA look at the chimps in public!”.So yes, the disclaimer is needed for things like that.

Axial > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
07/02/2015 at 22:21

I didn’t imply it wasn’t needed, I just said that it’s sad that it is.