x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by IQ12 with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Sun, 21 Jun 2015 02:14:26 -0400 thread-index: AdCr6YY6mNnraGB2TrqqElGQ/h6rCQ== Thread-Topic: The continued flying of the Confederate Flag on state property From: To: Subject: The continued flying of the Confederate Flag on state property Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2015 02:14:26 -0400 Message-ID: <3C179138043D44D7AC8BF3878A63FCB3@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 21 Jun 2015 06:14:26.0347 (UTC) FILETIME=[86593FB0:01D0ABE9] CUSTOM Mrs Dixie McGee Benca McGee's Irish Pub & Rest. 116 W Orr St Anderson SC 29621 admin@mcgeesirishpub.com 8642616402 8642616402 GOVE The continued flying of the Confederate Flag on state property To: The Honorable Nikki R. Haley Office of the Governor 1205 Pendleton Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 From: Dixie McGee Benca 308 Crayton St Anderson, SC 29621 1.864.261.6401 (w) Re: The continued flying of the Confederate Flag Dear Madame Governor: I am a born & bred South Carolinian & small businesswoman of 20 years in Anderson, SC. I am a moderate conservative & voted for you in the last election(s). I believe you are doing a great job managing the affairs of our beloved state. There are many issues on which I'd like to express my opinion - welfare, women's issues, immigration, etc - but this correspondence will address one.......the continued flying of the Confederate Flag on state property. I've had mixed feelings on this subject for a long time. After considering all the arguments for and against, for me, it really boils down to two points: A. It is a "battle flag"......a war flag. By original design, it was meant to stir aggressive feelings (& rally soldiers). I'm convinced that it does carry real negative psychological influence. It was appropriated by the KKK & other such hate/racist groups because they meant to use it for what it was designed to do.....stir people up. But we, as a state, are no longer at war, so why fly it???.......at ALL. Even at a confederate memorial there are other more appropriate historical confederate flags to fly. It's kind of an oxymoron to say "peace, peace", while flying a WAR flag. B. Making a "freedom of expression" point is not worth hurting our fellow South Carolinian neighbors who don't see it as a simple historical symbol of heritage & southern pride. I will remind you that with the 1st Amendment also comes the right to (metaphorically speaking) "keep our mouths shut" when deemed prudent. We don't have to make this statement. This divisive object represents a war & ideals that are OVER. Our southern sensibilities (which I dearly love) do not trump God's commandments to "love your neighbor as yourself". Do I wish offended people could just "get over it"? Sure, but if they can't or won't, then "Blessed are the peacemakers............" Before the events of the past few days (the racially motivated murders in Charleston), I would consider my opinion on this matter unworthy of interrupting your valuable time. However, I now feel compelled to implore you to do the brave thing.the right thing...order the Confederate Battle Flag down..NOW. You have an unprecedented window of opportunity - with the whole world watching us - to show that South Carolina loves our neighbors more than that piece of cloth. This gesture will not undo the horrible events of the past week: however, it would be a "shot over the bow" to the rest of the country (& hate groups themselves) that this kind of evil has no fertile ground in our state. Will there be negative political "saber rattling" from the ultra right for you..yes..but they will get over it!!!! Don't let these victims die in vain. This single act - that only you can do - would be the biggest uniting factor for this state since "the cause" (& it would also be a boost to the image of the Republican Party at large). And should you decide to run for President someday (& I hope you do), the country will remember this in the best possible way. Lead us peacemaking Madame Governor & take down the Confederate Battle Flag from state property. Best Regards, Dixie McGee Benca Owner/Chef: McGee's Irish Pub & Restaurant Anderson, SC www.mcgeesirishpub.com