Faubus Motel in Huntsville, Arkansas was originally owned by Orval Fabus, a former Arkansas governor who fought to keep Little Rock Central High School segregated. In 1996, James and Linda Vandiver bought the place, and they have apparently decided to continue to honor all things bigoted, peckerwood, and backward-assed. To protest Obama’s election, they replaced the American flag with the Confederate flag. They claim that race aint got nothin to do with it.
Alderman Terry Long said raising the flag at the Faubus Motel on the night of Obama’s election hurt Huntsville’s reputation. Huntsville already is thought of as a “backwoodsy and redneck type community,” Long said. “Him flying the Rebel flag is just making the situation worse.” The Vandivers said they should be allowed the right to freedom of speech. (source)
Both Terry Long and the Vandivers are correct. Hopefully, travelers passing through Huntsville will fight the Vandiver’s bigotry in a positive manner.
Oh, and seriously, the next jackass who says that the Confederate Flag is about “southern pride” is going to get punched in the dick.
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December 5, 2008 at 6:42 pm |
I’ve always though the confederate flag was a tribute to the Dukes of Hazard. Guess that’s what you get growing up in the 80’s in some west coast suburb.
December 9, 2008 at 9:04 am |
i know the vandivers personally. they are a very thoughtful and lucid family. they are as far from being bigotted as any could be and when i’ve spoken to them about their choice of symbolism have received no inkling they even thought of it being a racist action.
the vandivers have received kudos from all over the u.s. for their stance on this sham of an election and are in mourning as many of u.s. are, although i would have chosen a more subtle way of showing my displeasure.
mr. vandiver is a historian and can tell you the history behind many state flags and is a christian first and a patriot to the highest degree. did you know that the kkk flies the AMERICAN and CHRISTIAN flags?
would you bash those who burn and stomp on the american flag as you have the vandivers? are they entitled to the same freedom of expression as the rest of u.s.? or are you going to be selective about who’s more equal? or is this but another episode of animal farm, 2008?
were you as outraged when the artist urinated in a jar and put a crucifix in it?
i may disagree with many stances people take on differing issues, but i’ll surely stand by their freedom to express themselves as long as they’re doing no harm and, of course, you’re free to express your disdain. choose your battles.
December 9, 2008 at 9:19 am |
Ok, I’ll answer your questions:
Q: “would you bash those who burn and stomp on the american flag as you have the vandivers?”
A: I find the act of burning the American flag to be stupid, juvenile, and personally offensive. Nobody would get away with burning an American flag in my presence. Nevertheless, comparing the two is a little bit silly. A burning American flag simply stands as a symbol of one’s distaste for the U.S.A. and/or its policies. The Confederate flag is one step removed from the Nazi swastika.
Q: are they entitled to the same freedom of expression as the rest of u.s.? or are you going to be selective about who’s more equal?
A: The Van Divers are entitled to express their bigotry and their peckerwood status all they like. I’d defend them if anyone tried to use the force of law to compel them to remove their bigot banner.
Q: or is this but another episode of animal farm, 2008?
A: It seems to have been a while since you read Orwell. Go back and read it again.
Q: were you as outraged when the artist urinated in a jar and put a crucifix in it?
A: No, not at all.
December 14, 2008 at 8:53 pm |
Still harboring sweet memories of my childhood in NW Arkansas, I often think I’d like to return there to live out my ‘golden years. However, stunts like the one the Van Divers pulled by displaying the Confederate flag on election night 2008 make me remember that Arkansas is still an inhospitable environment for any who prefers to live life fully, and beyond the constraints of the 19th century.
December 28, 2008 at 1:27 am |
i was at the vandivers just the other day when a christian lady of “color” came in to see if they’d rent to their missionary group for the next couple of months at a discount rate…you don’t know what the “” you’re speaking of.
there are no MORE hospitable people than those who live in arkansas.
beats the hell out of californistan where we spent the first 40+ years of our lives…