S1: The Modification of the Southern Heritage Act (Statute)

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

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Sponsor: West_Midlander

[West_Midlander]

I think this is a good bill, esp. considering that the Southern region includes a few former Union states (as well as many former Confederate).

[Classic Conservative]

I'm against this bill as well.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

I will support this bill

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Let me express my thoughts on this legislation.
Namely, I think the Southern Heritage Act is a good piece of legislation. i think it helps preserve the past and ensures that shenanigans like we saw in New Orleans and other places aren't repeated. I think it protects one side very well. I'm no fan of treating one side of the Civil War in that fashion. Remembering the past matters. We need to protect all parts of our Southern Heritage, including the unsavory parts. Anything less is rather insulting especially to those whose ancestors fought for the Confederacy, or have family ties someway or another to that side of the conflict.

However, it needs work. Why fly only the Stars and Bars? We need to commemorate and remember the past. The Civil War just didn't involve the Confederacy. Many thousands of Southerns fought for the Union too. Union-supporting Southerners in Eastern Tennessee, Northern Virginia, breakaway West Virginia, Kentucky, and other areas, took up arms and fought in the Union Army. Why not recognize their side of the story as well?

It's important to tell the full story. The fact is that we need to recognize both sides. The Civil War divided the South, divided families, divided siblings. The story of a Union infantrymen from Johnson CIty fighting at Chattanooga and other battles in Middle Tennessee is as Southern as the story of a Virginia cavalrymen fighting under Lee's banner for years till Appomotax. Some of Mary Todd Lincoln's relatives fought and died for the Confederacy, and Robert E. Lee had a pro-Union sister. Our shared heritage is valuable and needs preservation and this is why we should pass this bill.

[fhtagn]

Why fly only the Stars and Bars? We need to commemorate and remember the past. The Civil War just didn't involve the Confederacy.

If you read the version of the bill that was passed, it was tied to Confederate Memorial Day. That's why.

People whose families fought and died for the union don't have to worry as much about their graves being desecrated, or anything that symbolizes their history at risk of being erased.

That's fine that you want to promote unity, but grossly ignoring WHY choosing the Stars and Bars isn't really the way to do it.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Why fly only the Stars and Bars? We need to commemorate and remember the past. The Civil War just didn't involve the Confederacy.

If you read the version of the bill that was passed, it was tied to Confederate Memorial Day. That's why.

People whose families fought and died for the union don't have to worry as much about their graves being desecrated, or anything that symbolizes their history at risk of being erased.

That's fine that you want to promote unity, but grossly ignoring WHY choosing the Stars and Bars isn't really the way to do it.

I agree that it's blatantly unfair that people on the Confederate side have greater risk of things important to them being threatened or erased. That's why I specifically told the author of this legislation that I opposed allowing municipalities to remove Confederate monuments for instance - shenanigans like potentially taking down the Lee statue in New Orleans. The parts protecting the Confederate elements of our heritage are unharmed by this bill, and if that wasn't the case I wouldn't be supporting it.

[fhtagn]

It should also be noted that the final version of the bill received support from both sides of the aisle (1 ACP + 2 fed +1 labor), with only one delegate voting and voicing against it.

So clearly it wasn't anything too unreasonable or crazy.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

It should also be noted that the final version of the bill received support from both sides of the aisle (1 ACP + 2 fed +1 labor), with only one delegate voting and voicing against it.

So clearly it wasn't anything too unreasonable or crazy.

Well, that's I guess more evidence why it's a good piece of legislation; I think this is a common sense improvement of the bill that doesn't dilute its purpose, so it likewise deserves support. I don't know how many delegates support allowing municipalities to take down Confederate memorials (like how New Orleans would likely want to do), but i sure as hell ain't in that group.

[Mr. Reactionary]

So confederate memorial day is April 26th and Civil War memorial day is May 9th. It shouldnt be difficult to fly the flags on different days, especially as they are only like 2 weeks apart.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I'm calling for a final vote. Delegates have 48 hours.

[diptheriadan]

Aye

[Vern]

Aye

[West_Midlander]

Aye

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Aye.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

aye

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

by a vote of 5 ayes to 0 nays, this bill passes