Another Removal At WDW

[delyrium]

A constitutional right is violated, pure and simple. The confederate flag may not be to my taste, but it is a constitutional right to fly it. I prefer that the freedom remains for things I don't approve of because it also gives me the right to express myself. One day we Americans will wake up to discover that we've let all our constitutional rights...all that makes us American...slip away, and we'll have no one to blame but ourselves. The removal of the flag will not change the way certain people think. I'm not trying to rile anyone up, but sometimes I think we Americans take for granted what a precious gift our constitution is. Our forefathers and foremothers bled for those rights.

But, as has been mentioned, Disney steers clear of controversy. My sister, who is a U.S. history teacher, and I were just joking that the confederate flag would have to be removed from that exhibit.

What constitutional right has been violated by Disney removing the flag? Unless the government is coming in and forcing people to remove the flag from their home, their business, or their person, there's no constitutional issue here. I'm confused as to what you think is going on.

 

[BrianL]

No constitutional rights have been violated as of yet, but some are pushing for an outright ban (like in Germany). I do not think that will ever happen though. As it stands, businesses have the right to decide what is best for them, even though in some cases I do not agree with their reasoning.

 

[kiltclan]

I am 100% against any such ban of any flag. The US is not Germany, and here the display of a flag is protected. I do agree that state governments should not fly it, but to ban private citizens from displaying it would go way too far and should never be considered.

Not calling for a ban and I think anyone who actively seeks a ban on a flag is a little silly. But, my personal belief is, that if you're(the generic 'you') looking to fly a flag that you feel 'pride' in for historical reasons, it should be a real flag and not one created in the 20th century.

 

[delyrium]

No one is pushing for an outright ban. People are saying that our government should not be displaying an enemy flag on public property. Otherwise, I think everyone is in agreement that a ban such as in Germany would not be feasible here, because of the first amendment.

 

[WEDWDW]

I don't have a problem with Disney removing this flag-I just wonder where do you draw the line?

For example,couldn't descendents of the Bataan Death March POWs feel upset when seeing the Japaneses flag when visiting WS?

 

[delyrium]

Uhhh, no? Japan still exists, and is one of our allies, and even if they didn't and weren't, removing a flag is somewhat different than removing an entire pavilion.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I don't have a problem with Disney removing this flag-I just wonder where do you draw the line?

For example,couldn't descendents of the Bataan Death March POWs feel upset when seeing the Japaneses flag when visiting WS?

Funny you bring up Japan as I have been thinking a lot of my grandfather lately and his time in Indonesia during the Japanese occupation of the East Indies. My grandfather's family was very wealthy and had all of their assests taken from them and placed in sweat camps where they were slaves for years.

That being said-- if Japan had a specific flag that they used during that time, specifically for the Occupation of the West Indies, and I saw it at Epcot's Japan I may not be happy and would bring it up. Otherwise, every country has done something they may not be proud of so you can't take that against the country's flag.

 

[delyrium]

Otherwise, every country has done something they may not be proud of so you can take that against the country's flag.

Not least of all, the U.S. itself.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I can't get quotes or tags to work so to those who quoted me:

I'm speaking of the situation as a whole, not just Disney. Georgia has now removed their state flag. Businesses are being forced to stop selling a product or else be publically shamed. Groupthink and PC have a way of inflicting totalitarianism by using guilt. Now I can't watch Dukes of Hazard on TV. Silly, yes, but where does that end? Maybe all flags should be removed because they will offend someone. In fact, shut down the WS altogether, as I'm sure many guests find the historic global imperialism of many of those nations represented to be distasteful. Orwell and Huxley hit the nail on the head decades ago. I'm sure those US history textbooks will be greatly improved when the confederate flag is replaced with a banner of kittens and unicorns.

 

[ajjoplin1]

A constitutional right is violated, pure and simple. The confederate flag may not be to my taste, but it is a constitutional right to fly it. I prefer that the freedom remains for things I don't approve of because it also gives me the right to express myself. One day we Americans will wake up to discover that we've let all our constitutional rights...all that makes us American...slip away, and we'll have no one to blame but ourselves. The removal of the flag will not change the way certain people think. I'm not trying to rile anyone up, but sometimes I think we Americans take for granted what a precious gift our constitution is. Our forefathers and foremothers bled for those rights.

Thank you, Sargeant Tibbs! I have just read the aforementioned article about Disney's choice to remove the Confederate flag from Epcot. Unfortunately, many today fail to understand what you've just explained: the freedom and right of choice. There is nothing illegal, unconstitutional, or even racist about the "Stars and Bars", any more than it is treason for me, Texas-born, to fly the Lone Star flag in front of my house.

Bottom line, it is a matter of choice. I have the right to fly the flag, and Disney has a right to fly or remove the flag. I disagree with their decision, but I honor their right to choose. But we need to be careful...choosing to remove the flag is your choice...just don't tell me that I HAVE TO as well. There's my 2 cents on it

 

[BrianL]

No one is pushing for an outright ban. People are saying that our government should not be displaying an enemy flag on public property. Otherwise, I think everyone is in agreement that a ban such as in Germany would not be feasible here, because of the first amendment.

I have read a few things about an outright ban (on the flag and other things), but they are generally from extremists and I don't think they'll ever get anywhere with it. The comparison to what was done Germany is made a lot though.

 

[ajjoplin1]

Food for Thought: At the 6 Flags theme parks, for year, they have flown the French, Spanish, and Mexican flags in their respective pavilions. These are foreign countries that at one time controlled and, in some cases, oppressed the people living in Texas. Yet no one seems to bother about that. Why? Because it is a part of our heritage, and they have the right to fly them as part of the park. Leave people's freedoms alone, and let Disney do what they want. I don't like it, but it won't stop me from staying at POR next year...LOL!!

 

[Jennasis]

The flag of a defeated regime doesn't belong flying above ANY government institution. Private citizens and businesses are free to do as they wish.

 

[Gillyrose779]

Food for Thought: At the 6 Flags theme parks, for year, they have flown the French, Spanish, and Mexican flags in their respective pavilions. These are foreign countries that at one time controlled and, in some cases, oppressed the people living in Texas. Yet no one seems to bother about that. Why? Because it is a part of our heritage, and they have the right to fly them as part of the park. Leave people's freedoms alone, and let Disney do what they want. I don't like it, but it won't stop me from staying at POR next year...LOL!!

I just feel like there is a difference in a Country's Flag and a War Flag. The Confederate Flag, at least a version of it, was a flag of war- individuals who wanted to be separate from the United States- traitors of the United States. The Nazi Flag was a flag of war- different from the German Flag.

If 6 Flags were flying flags that were specifically used for war with the US from France, Spain, Mexico then I could see an issue.

 

[delyrium]

I just feel like there is a difference in a Country's Flag and a War Flag. The Confederate Flag, at least a version of it, was a flag of war- individuals who wanted to be separate from the United States- traitors of the United States. The Nazi Flag was a flag of war- different from the German Flag.

If 6 Flags were flying flags that were specifically used for war with the US from France, Spain, Mexico then I could see an issue.

I agree, and it would still be up to that business to decide whether they wanted to display them.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I agree, and it would still be up to that business to decide whether they wanted to display them.

Definitely.. it still is up to them. There is no law against it. They just have to deal with the loss of revenue if people have a problem with it.

 

[kiltclan]

If it were the legitimate historical Confederate flag that there were issue with, than I would be on the other side. (Disney's confederate flag being no longer an issue since it is accurate to History). But, no business is being FORCED to suspend sales of the flag, but are instead choosing, based on public opinion right now to remove the item.
Were someone feel the need to display any of the historical accurate flags, I would take no issue. But they would have to be displaying any of these this flags

(Which INCLUDES the white field)
The current 'confederate' flag is a mock-up of 2 historical flags that was created in the 20th century by groups who wished to make it clear that their sentiments on race reflected those of the old south and that is the flag that people are taking issue with.

 

[Kalliope]

This quote in the article bothered me: "I think in this day and age we shouldn't be promoting a part of our history we're not proud of," she said. I'm going to give the woman they interviewed the benefit of the doubt and assume it was in-artfully worded. But it sounds awfully close to saying, "I support the decision to remove the flag because then I can pretend this distasteful episode in our history never happened." I support Disney's right to make a call about whether a particular exhibit is appropriate -- especially since they are running a family amusement park and not a history museum. But I hope we don't get to a point where we are denying history and pretending that somehow makes us PC.

That is exactly what is happening.

 

[Doug M]

Soon the Hall of Presidents will have a few less presidents in it, because a few had slaves and we must remove them from history. There is a movement to remove some from currency, so don't think this isnt crazy.

PC needs to stop.

 

[kiltclan]

Soon the Hall of Presidents will have a few less presidents in it, because a few had slaves and we must remove them from history. There is a movement to remove some from currency, so don't think this isnt crazy.

Actually, the movement to 'remove' presidents from currency isnt that at all. It's a movement to replace 1 or 2 with women who have made contributions to our society. It's a movement for equal representation, not oppression because they did something bad back in time.