-Caveat Lector- Mississippi sticks with Confederate flag Supporters of the state flag see it as a mark of pride Mississippians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the controversial state flag and its Confederate emblem. The 1894 flag represents heritage, honour, sacrifice, duty and history Earl Faggert, the Sons of Confederate Veterans With 94% of precincts reporting, almost 66% voted to retain the old flag while 34% voted to replace it. Mississippi is the last US state to prominently display the Confederate emblem on its flag. Opponents of the emblem consider it a symbol of slavery and racial segregation, while supporters see it as a mark of southern pride. Celebrations More recently the Confederate symbol has been adopted by some extreme right-wing and racist groups as a symbol of resistance to federal government. Supporters of the existing flag are celebrating Supporters of the existing flag immediately launched their celebrations. "The initial polls coming from around the state look very good. We believe tonight we'll have a victory celebration," said a state flag supporter. But advocates of replacing the flag say they will continue their campaign. "We are going to get back out diligently with the governor and legislators and try to put this issue back on the ballot," said Wayne McDaniels, a representative of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP). Tie to heritage Under pressure from civil rights organisations, a number of southern states have removed or downplayed the Confederate cross in recent years, but Mississippi was the first state to allow its voters to decide on the issue in a referendum. In a global economy, Mississippi needs to present a flag that represents all its people Eugene Bryant, Mississippi branch of the NAACP Backers of the 1894 flag see it as a tie to Mississippi's heritage. "The 1894 flag represents heritage, honour, sacrifice, duty and history," said Earl Faggert, heritage spokesman for the Mississippi division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. "It's a symbol of our state. It represents our families. It represents the fathers and grandfathers and great-grandfathers of all Mississippians who fought under that banner," he added. The current flag was adopted in 1894 But opponents of the old flag argue that it isolates Mississippi from the rest of the country. "Mississippi has the perception of a racist state," Eugene Bryant, president of the Mississippi branch of the NAACP. "In a global economy, Mississippi needs to present a flag that represents all its people," Mr Bryant said. Poorest state Voters had the option of replacing the current flag with a new flag showing concentric circles of 20 stars, representing the fact that Mississippi was the 20th state to join the US. Once a bastion of racial violence, Mississippi has for generations been one of the poorest states in the US. The state is about two-thirds white and one-third black. The current flag was adopted in 1894, almost 30 years after the defeat of the Confederacy. In May, the State Supreme Court ruled that the flag has no legal status under the state's current constitution, which dates from 1906. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ foot tapping mentalism for all ages http://www.mp3.com/theehumancannonball <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
