Really, guys?
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives banned the display of Confederate flags in federal cemeteries and prohibited the National Park Service from selling Confederate flags in gift shops. On Thursday, even as South Carolina's flag is
coming down, House Republicans are bringing up a vote to overturn Tuesday's moves and allow the flag into cemeteries and park gift shops.
Really. Tuesday: Let's not fly the flag of a treasonous enemy nation founded on the cause of slavery and racism. Thursday: Ehhhh, maybe we were hasty.
The amendments passed Tuesday were done on a voice vote, with no opposition. Apparently Republicans then went off and steamed about being put in a tough spot, then gathered their courage to speak up for racism:
The move came after complaints from Southern conservatives, including Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.).
“I strongly oppose the inclusion of this amendment, which was slipped into the bill in the dead of night with no debate,” Palazzo said in a statement. “Congress cannot simply rewrite history and strip the Confederate flag from existence. Members of Congress from New York and California cannot wipe away 150 years of Southern history with sleight-of-hand tactics. I will fight to ensure that this language is not included in any bill signed into law.”
No one is rewriting history to strip the Confederate flag from existence. (In fact, it would continue to be displayed in national parks where historically relevant.) The effort is to put the Confederate flag in its proper place: as a symbol of treason and racism that came out of direct opposition to the government of the United States of America. South Carolina's legislature managed to figure out that it had no place in state government, but House Republicans are struggling with that?
8:38 AM PT: Apparently House Republican leadership didn't think this was going to be a good look.