I saw it in Missouri

[loyalsister]

Probably should have taken a picture. A pickup truck with a Confederate flag decal and a Kerry\Edwards bumber sticker. There was another one for a local Democratic candidate.
I probably should have gone and gotten my camera.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Seriously?

[loyalsister]

3. I swear!

It was in Columbia. I was stunned! And, encouraged.

[WatchWhatISay]

6. You see it as the glass half full

My first thought was the "half empty" type - that someone who was smart enough to vote for Kerry could possible worship the confederate flag.

[loyalsister]

7. If a word can have a double meaning.....

why can't a flag? I am very sure that the confederate flag is a simple symbol of Southern pride for some people. Clearly, it is insensitive to display it, but I am convinced that there are many people who have affection for it without racist intentions.
Sometimes people speak without thinking. This may be a case of similar ignorance, or on the other hand it could actually be a KKK member who decided he was finished with Republicans using his racism to get him to vote against his self interest. I'm kind of doubtful of the far fetched latter scenario, but who knows.

[w13rd0]

2. Was it in Sullivan Missouri?

If so, that's my uncle ;) Well, maybe not, but I know he drives a pickup with K/E, Farmer and a confederate flag on the back windshield...

[Flor2004]

4. Um...

please tell me your not saying that with any real sense of pride. Im glad hes voting for kerry though.

[loyalsister]

9. I don't think anyone should be ashamed

if they have a family member who happens to have such a bumper sticker. This is life. Review Barack Obama's speech sometime. People have their own ideas and sometimes we don't like them.
On the other hand.... I know a guy who lives in my apartment complex, who has a little confederate flag in his apartment. I know he isn't racist, because he has Black friends. Not symbolically. They are actual friends. In fact they are mutual friends. In fact I was so perplexed by this that I told the guy who is about my age. We talked about it and wrote it off. I may ask eventually, though.
The fact is, it has different meanings for different people. It is a fact that we can't escape. The fact that the guy I just mentioned doesn't parade it around is something that I am glad of. It is meaningful in regards to heritage for some people. The whole Southern pride issue is difficult for just about anyone who isn't from the south to comprehend. But it is somehow attached to that. Then there is the whole rebel thing.
It's so much more complex than a single meaning paired with a single visual symbol, just like language is more complex than a single meaning paired with a specific auditory symbol. It doesn't work that way in this case just like it doesn't work that way with any number of words we can debate the meanings of for hours.

[w13rd0]

10. Actually, yes, I am...

...the confederate flag is washed out by a couple years of exposure. The last 4 yrs of the Bush regime has changed some people a little, others a lot. He's a uniter ya know ;)

[loyalsister]

5. Sounds familiar

Flag decal on driver's side back windsheild K\E bumper sticker on back passenger side bumper?

[WCGreen]

8. Maybe the wife slapped the KE sticker on the truck

Or maybe he just bought the truck and hasn't gotten around to taking the flag decal off yet....

Or maybe the wife slapped the flag decal on the truck....

Or maybe he has a relative who died in the Civil War....

Or maybe, just maybe he/she doesn't like the war, or they have a kid with a disease that could be helped by expanding stem cell research or any number of things that coemm to mind...

The bottom line, they ain't votin' for Bush......