The TRUE ultimate rebel flag! The US national soccer team has had that logo on its jerseys... It's kind of an intimidating thing to show your opponents. I love it!

 

Before I start this post I would like to say that I despise the whole "PC" thing and always have. The biggest problem I have with being "PC" is the labels that people put on themselves or others. I don't insist that others call me a German/Irish/English American. I'm an American. I was born here and will die here. I don't want to live anywhere else in the world. IMHO, until we STOP sub-classing ourselves, we won't have a permanent sense of the unity that we all felt immediately after 9/11. In spite of the horror of that day, I was elated that, for far too short a time, we were all Americans and that a lot of people would fly the American flag on their cars, their homes, their lapel, their hats and so on. People went out of their way to help their fellow American no matter what their race, religion or political beliefs. We have since fallen back into the habit of not flying the flag anywhere unless it's the PC thing to do and that royally ticks me off!


That being said and in spite of having the fortune of being born in the South, I won't fly the Rebel flag for many reasons. The top reason being that it would offend black people. I understand why they see it as offensive and I will respect their feelings. That war has been over for a loooong time people. Let it go!

 

Yes, it was funny as hell! Don't forget they also had "NASCAR SUCKS" slogans and "HILLARY for PRES" painted on other vehicles as well. It didn't go over well in Alabama.

 

You can call it slanted all you want, my BA was in History, I took three in depth classes on the Civil War, my views of the Civil War are quite simply how academia views it, and far closer to the truth, than the fiction you believe. The hatred for the Confederate flag, is simply ignorance and reverse hatred, just trying to point that out. The spin put on slavery, that it was the south's huge sin and the civil war was a war to free slaves, is just that, spin. The reality is the whole nation was racist at the time and slavery was not the cause nor the symbol of that. It was just a shameful byproduct of the plantation economy of the 19th century.

I personally would never put a flag on my car except for an American flag (although it wouldn't really go), I am just defending the OP right to do so, and really think there's nothing wrong with it (aside from taste). Yes he has to take into consideration if it will be vandalized, I take that (and if my car will be stolen, or parked to close to, or broken into, etc, etc, etc) everyday, it may determine where you park, or what places you visit. I just don't think the chances of being vandalized are that big to worry about in the south, and the problem is with the vandals not the OP for displaying a flag.

I grew up in an Irish neighborhood, believe it or not many Irish (specifically 1st and 2nd generations) have a hatred for the Union Jack and Great Britain (with good reason), and I guarantee if you parked a car in these neighborhoods your car would be vandalized. Does that mean no one should get one, or that I would tell them not to, no.

Your understanding of TN is completely false at least from my experience (perhaps its dependent on what area your in) I spent three summers working for my aunt in North GA, right on the TN border. I can tell you the Confederate flag was all over the place (cars, houses, t-shirts, etc. etc. etc.) and the southerners flew it with pride, and I never heard of a case of something being vandalized. Based on the OPs wants and post I would guess its more likely he comes from a place like this that the TN your talking about.

 

BTW... if you want to display your pride in your home State, why not display the Tennessee flag ?

I doubt many in San Fransisco would even know what it is, let along be offended by it.

 

You're not the only one with a background in history. I was born and raised in Gettysburg, PA and have given tours of the battlefield and read many, MANY books about the Civil War. Your BA in history doesn't impress me... you specialized in the Civil War in your studies ? You picked those three years to be educated on, among the many thousands of years of history ?

Very few here are debating his right to diplay the rebel flag. I'm not sure who you are debating on that point. It's not about that at all. Of course, he has that right. I also have the right to walk around with a white robe and hood, doesn't make it right nor smart.

And again, you're going to try to tell me what it's like in TN ? You spent three summers in Georgia and that makes you more of an expert than me on that part of the country ? Hardly. I lived just across the river in Arkansas for three full years and went to Tennessee many times. I had an uncle that lived in Murfreesboro for many years and visited him often. So save me the education on Tennessee.

 

+1 Well said.

I admit to having a "Proudly Politically Incorrect" bumper sticker on the left side and '"Welcome to America, now Speak English" on the right side on my PICK-UP. 3 yrs and not a scratch, but more compliments than I can count.
I live in Connecticut and that would hardly be called a bastion of free expression.....

 

Again, someone please find me a poster who is saying the OP does not have the right to display the rebel flag on his MINI.

It's not about his RIGHTs, it's about his doing something that is going to increase his risk of being vandalized.

In San Fransisco... a large city... the odds are pretty good of one person being offended and taking it out on his car, I would say.

His right ? Sure it is !! Smart ? Ummmmmmmmmmm... no.

 

So the size of the underground railroad could have been squeezed into a short bus??
I guess you'd support the confederacy to if your master is standing behind you with a whip.

"Sorry masta, I no run!"

 

A tour guide, I worked at six flags and read books on roller coasters, guess that makes me an expert in theme park engineering.

So you worked at a place thats main objective is to make money in celebrating the turning battle in how the North won the war. Gee, do you think they want you to buy into the fictional good vs. bad explanation of the war, and brainwash you into thinking the North was "the good side".

But seriously, I'm not "more" of an expert or even an "expert" I would think neither of us are experts, in any of these issues. The OP would be far closer to that. Specifically about his experiences and location, and he's not even asking us what we think just where he might be able to get one. I would start here btw http://www.aestheticreations.net/index.htm

As for as my specialty it was actually European History, not the Civil War.

Now IMHO, the OP wasn't asking for anyones opinion on if he should. So anyone coming out saying he shouldn't do it because its offensive and may be vandalized, is basically supporting the position of those vandals and legitimizing them. Which to me is taking away or at least trying to limit his right to do so.

 

Since I never posted a position I'm not sure exactly how you could say that. I was referring to the people being ignorant by calling the OP a racist redneck for displaying a flag without actually knowing him. That is the definition of ignorance.

But if you want to know my position, here it is:
I used to be very against the Confederate flag, thinking it was a symbol of hatred and bigotry. Then I actually learned my history and realized what it was ACTUALLY a symbol for. I'm not one to display it, but I'm certainly not offended by it.

And I can definitely see where people come from when they are so against the flag. However here's the thing - since we live in a country with freedom of speech and expression it isn't going away. Ever. So the best thing to do is just to get over it. We're never going to come to a consensus opinion, so there's really no reason to get worked up over something that you cannot change. Deal with it and move on.

If you really want to get to the OP's *original point*, either help him find a place to buy one or stop posting in the thread. His question had nothing to do with whether or not there was a risk displaying the flag, only where to get one.

 

Short and sweet : The Rebel Flag does not fight the MINI image...period.

 

Again, you have obviously done very little reading on the matter, and think slick statements are a way to prove your point. Most of the blacks that fought for the Confederacy were free (yes despite what you were taught, there were free blacks in the south, just like there were slaves in the North) and lets not forget as littlehandegan pointed out on page two, the CSA Emancipated their slaves in 1863 before the end of the war, and before the Union ever did.

 

So, by being somewhat of a historian on the Civil War, I'm not any more educated on the subject nor able to talk any more inteligently on it than the average joe... or you ?? Funny, you bring up your BA in History as your credientials, later to admit it was European history, and then laugh when I bring up my background. Hypocrite.

And you've insulted me yet again by telling me I was brainwashed into believing whatever I was told to regurgitate about the Civil War. You must have tons of friends with this condescending attitude of yours.

No, he wasn't asking for opinions. But when you post something like that on a public message board, you'd better be prepared for the opinions that come out.

And the point I highlighted... beyond ridiculous. If I warn an American about wearing a shirt around Islamabad with a big American flag on it because he might get shot, does that mean I'm condoning his shooting ?!?

 

Absolutely, it does not fight it at all.

Not that I agree that there is a Mini image, that stereotyping, wait I'm having deja vu now.

 

HUH? "FIGHT" what MINI image? And if you meant "FIT" then what image exactly is a MINI image?

Have book somewhere that defines this so-called "image" of what you speak?

 

Thats because your background is as a tour guide that has read some books on the subject, I would hardly call you an historian, or anything close to one. Hell I wouldn't call myself one either and I have an actual degree in history, its not some hobby, or a summer job I did. I was citing it to show my experience with the subject not my expertise, just explaining this is more than something I just simply read or heard on a tour. I've actually done extensive research, writing, and discussion with experts on the subject. Take that however you want. My point about your experience is that its been quite obviously Northern biased (being in Gettysburg), and not very thorough, or at least not able to be judged so.

Now the point I made that you bolded had little to do with that part of the argument as that was objective this is subjective. And it was simply that by saying he shouldn't because of others, is limiting his rights, and indirectly supporting those who would vandalize. Thats regardless of expertise or experience, and as stated JMHO. And of course you have the right to comment on it even if he didn't ask, just as I have the right to comment on your comment, but I digress.

This is a great tread btw

 

PLEASE POST LINK!!!!!!!

 

What a great country...

Again, the OP only asked where to get one, not for our permission. This is turning quite political and for good reason we frown upon such discussion on NAM. I must say that ya'll have kept this above board. This battle about how folks view the flag and the civil war will rage on forever with history being rewritten time and time again to suit the needs of the writer.

I think the OP knows by now that putting the flag on the roof may cause an increased chance of vandalism. It's his choice and debating your credentials or what the war was or is about is not going to change anything.

I think the OP also know that some people don't think it's a fit for their perceived image of a MINI. I don't think all those folks that have sticker mods fit my perception of a Mad Modder but that's my opinion. Be glad we still can have opinions.

Lets let this thread slowly fade away now please.

 

Yes if you tell me what episode I can post one, I have a good source.

 

I didn't say I was a historian... I said somewhat of an historian. And do you have any idea of the requirements to because a licensed tour guide in a National Park ? No... rhetorical question.

There you go back to your degree again... in European History. Like that has any bearing on this topic. It's like me saying my BS in Management makes me an expert major league baseball manager.

And you're twising words around to fit your argument and to defend your indefensible position. Nobody... but NObody is saying he doesn't have the right to display the rebel flag on his MINI. But when someone comes on here and suggests they plan to do that, how can others be held to any degree at fault for trying to tell him they feel it's a bad idea and putting his car at risk ?

Hey, I served this country for 23 years to help assure he has the right to display anything not illegal on his MINI. If he wants to put a bumper sticker on his MINI that says, "I hate Jews, Japs, Spics and Negroes", I support his right to do so. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with it, can't voice my opinion of it, nor warn him that others may kick is *** and burn his car.

Again, you saying that warning someone is condoning the violence others might commit is beyond ridiculous. Really. You don't want to re-think that statement ?

 

Originally Posted by Calmante
By the way, have any of you ever seen the episode of BBC's Top Gear when they took a road trip through the deep South in cars painted with gay slogans? It was hilarious...

Im not sure which Epi number it was, but the one Calmante talks about

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/show/ep...episode3.shtml

Google is your friend....searched for "Top Gear Deep South"

 

To answer the OP's question He needs to look to the home page left colum and browse Vendors. There is plenty on Graphic artists. Also...Do they offer insurance for special case's like this? Because really, if you think about it, its like driving around flipping the bird to any suppressed person, or activist.
I dont think its beneficial to everyone to Argue about history or not, I dont think its appropriate to put it on a MINI or any auto for that matter. Its like religeon and politics everyone has a side and everyone is right (?)
I could never have one on my car, the perception of it cuts like a knife. As in my original reply he no doubt has a right, I defend that right everyday at work as a Soldier, I would be more happy to see this, Support your Soldiers who keep your rights http://aestheticreations.net/graphic...oofgraphic.htm

Or you can do this to offer a bit of nostalgia:

 

When I first read the title of this thread I thought of this symbol:


I suppose since Star War MINIs have been done before.