A concerned gentleman contacted me and suggested that to avoid making this fight an “us versus them thing,” the battle flag should not be used as a political symbol, should not be displayed on clothing, bumper stickers, or anything other than as a properly mounted banner.

He further stated that he supported some of those claiming “offense” at the sight of the flag, that he had a pile of clipping from the 1970’s and 1980’s showing the flag being used by Klansmen, and neo-Nazi’s. He seemed to have a particular dislike for South Carolina as he wrote of Klan parades in that state, launched into an attack on Strom Thurmond, and the South Carolina SCV, which he charged, was populated by and financed by the Klansmen. He ended with an attack on Kirk Lyons.

If we followed Marvin Milquetoast approach the Mississippi flag would have been changed, the ongoing Georgia flag fight would come to a complete halt, the battles with school boards across the South would end, and the flag would end up being displayed as a properly mounted banner at a few historic sites, and a few cemeteries (if we begged, pleaded, and groveled enough.)

I agree that if we followed his approach this would cease to be an “us vs. them thing,” because “us” would become “them” and I’ve never heard of a “them vs. them thing.”

Well, this is an “us vs. them thing” whether he wants to admit it or not. Come to think of it, every conflict no matter what it is about is an “us vs. them thing,” that’s the nature of conflicts. This was not a fight brought on by “us” but by “them.” “Us” being traditional Americans who respect history, and wanting to preserve what we have, and move into the future with it, “them” being a coalition of left wing white extremists, and extremist minorities who want to seize control of the past, and the future by de-Americanizing America.

Matter of fact, it is "us" who were slow to respond in any sort of organized fashion in the vain hope that the attacks would stop if we allowed a flag here and there be removed. It was "them" that have been the aggressors.

George Orwell’s quote from his book “1984” perfectly reflects the feeling of the extreme left: 'who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the past.” It is time we take it as seriously as they do.

What brought about his attack of hand-wringing, ducking and hiding was his overwhelming concern about “public perception.” He stated that the public perception is that the flag is racist, and that the NAACP is a respectable organization. It appears to me that it is his perception that the flag is racist, but I sincerely doubt if that is the “public perception” of most of the public. Nor do I believe that most people see the NAACP as anything but a racial extortion racket.

Every poll I’ve seen over the last several years shows that approximately two thirds of people asked have a positive view of the flag, about ten percent don’t care one way or the other, and the remaining 24 or 25 percent view it negatively. This is borne out by the results of the Mississippi flag vote which saw 65 percent vote to retain the flag, and 35 percent vote to change it with a large number of people not voting at all.

The Georgia governor and legislature would not allow a fair vote which included the 1956 flag because they knew that even in a three-flag race, the 1956 flag would get the largest percentage of the vote, and quite possibly a clear majority.

The only place where this much feared “public perception” is universal is in the media, and among the extremist coalition. The media has positioned itself as an implacable foe, but one that can, has, and must continue to be overcome. The media was full square behind changing the Mississippi flag, Roy Barnes, David Beasley, Jim Hodges, and a host of other politicians, and attempts to rip down various flags, but in these and many others, the will of the people defeated them.

We must remember that newspaper readership is in fact declining. Network news viewership is in rapid decline so much so that some of the networks have debated about eliminating their nightly news broadcasts. Reporters are held in low esteem, if not contempt. Fewer and fewer people trust what the media says, and has become aware of the rather blatant biases they show.

As the dominant media (not mainstream as some call it, because it is far, far to the left of the overwhelming majority of us here in "fly-over country") continues its decline, the viciousness of their attacks on every aspect of the lives of the majority will only increase. It is much like the reaction of a wounded animal. A wounded animal is dangerous, but it is also at the point of death. So, we must brace ourselves for the even more vile and vicious attacks yet to come.

This is definitely not the time to gingerly treat the NAACP, the SPLC or the media with respect. This is not the time to stop displaying the flag on clothing, bumper stickers or anything else. This is the time to take a hard line with all those who oppose us. The only victories we have achieved thus far have been through aggressive action, not the Marvin Milquetoast approach that has been suggested.

We must labor mightily to deepen our support among the two thirds of the population which views the flag in a positive light. Trying to win support among, or change the minds of the radical coalition that has forced the fight upon us is a waste of time. It is truly an “us versus them thing.”

Greg Hanson lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Contact Greg at lookingsouth03@yahoo.com.