National prepares to die in a ditch over racist American flag

Written By: - Date published: 4:10 pm, June 16th, 2020 - 26 comments
Categories: national, racism, same old national, uncategorized - Tags: ,

In politics there are two general theories, the conspiracy theory where events are the result of deep Machiavellian planning, and the f*ck up theory where things just happen because of human stuff ups.

Often the f*ck up theory is the real reason behind random events but sometimes Machiavellian planning is why things happen.

Todd McClay’s extreme tone deafness defence of the use of the American Confederate Flag on Aotearoa soil must be in the latter case as it is such a f*ck up that the level of ineptitude displayed is so strong.

I mean after the all white front bench, the MAGA hat, Paora Goldsmith, and the upside down Tino Rangatiratanga Flag you would think that National would violently veer away from anything slightly racist, especially as the Black Lives Matter movement reaches a new peak.

When Nascar reaches the decision to ban the flag from its races the decision of a National MP to defend the use of the flag in Aotearoa just jars.

Maybe he has not recovered from his mate Simon Bridges being deposed as leader.

26 comments on “National prepares to die in a ditch over racist American flag ”

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  1. Macro 1
    16 June 2020 at 4:25 pm

    And I thought these RWNs were all about "winning". Just a reminder – if they bothered to learn some history – they would find the Confederates LOST.

  2. Cinny 2
    16 June 2020 at 4:44 pm

    I'm convinced petrol heads only fly that flag because it was on the Dukes of Hazard car.

    • I Feel Love 2.1
      16 June 2020 at 4:54 pm

      Pretty much. Without the racist connotations it's just considered a "rebel flag", Billy Idol used to fly it during his Rebel Yell years (the Confederate army used to scream as they attacked). But now anyone trying to protect it just looks silly, the fact Nascar banned it speaks volumes, not many people can remain ignorant about this anymore.

      • bwaghorn 2.1.1
        16 June 2020 at 4:56 pm

        Nascar banned it!!!

        For the first time in years I see a glimmer of hope for the us.

      • Cinny 2.1.2
        16 June 2020 at 5:08 pm

        the fact Nascar banned it speaks volumes, not many people can remain ignorant about this anymore

        Absolutely !

        Since national changed leaders to todd muller, we've witnessed some disturbing true colours of the nat's.

      • Sanctuary 2.1.3
        16 June 2020 at 5:41 pm

        Historically interesting – the "rebel yell"



        • peter sim 2.1.3.1
          16 June 2020 at 7:27 pm

          Is that the origin of the derogatory term "yahoo"?

          It also throws light on american comics I read as a young child some 70 years ago.

          I never understood what it signified . I got the triumphant tone but not the history.

        • Niki 2.1.3.2
          17 June 2020 at 1:23 am

          What extraordinary footage. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    • McFlock 2.2
      16 June 2020 at 5:11 pm

      Most of them in NZ, yeah.

      DoH and NASCAR have their roots in prohibition and federal alcohol tax evasion in the south. Which acted as a public rallying grievance to go alongside the secret society in the white suits also popular at that time.

    • Sanctuary 2.3
      16 June 2020 at 5:38 pm

      As if American police in the South would have chased a car driven by two white boys and with a Confederate flag on the roof.

    • Tiger Mountain 2.4
      17 June 2020 at 9:50 am

      The Confederate flag, and Civil war historians debate over the various iterations of the flag, had just about disappeared in the US according to various sources, but was popularly resurrected in Southern states from the 1950s during the fight against desegregation as a symbol of Southern Pride i.e. white supremacy.

      Car fans in NZ certainly were affected in the 70s by “Dukes of Hazard” prominence in a limited channel entertainment world. Some of them would have only been dimly aware it was a slave flag of the losing side with a shameful history. But there is no excuse now for anyone to support its display or ownership let alone the bloody NZ National Party!

      The Confederate Flag–icon of losers since 1865–will likely remain popular among petrol heads in Invercargill and Christchurch of course! Interestingly one of the first popular culture Southerners to ban the flag at his concerts was rocker Tom Petty some years back.

  3. Tricledrown 3
    16 June 2020 at 5:15 pm

    Seymour will defend the far right he has been making overtures to pick up their vote.

  4. Grant Insley 4
    16 June 2020 at 5:16 pm

    Claiming slight relevance. NASCAR evolved from the bootlegging runs in the Southern States. Fast cars with modifications were used in order to outrun the federal excise officers. Eventually competitions were held between competing bootleggers. The reference to 'stock' cars is that the body work had to fit a stock jig. Other rules evolved over time.

  5. woodart 5
    16 June 2020 at 5:54 pm

    sorry people. the rotorua rebels stock car team was first formed nearly fifty years ago. flag nothing to do with racism, go to rotorua speedway . the rebels name is pure allituration, stratford scrappers, wellington wildcats, palmy panthers etc. after being named the rebels, the rebels flag was used. no conspiracies. toddler has probably never been to rotorua speedway, but is trying to get speedway involved. most speedway people are going, "whatever". but hey its good free publicity for nz biggest summer spectator sport….

    • solkta 5.1
      16 June 2020 at 6:09 pm

      I'm not sure what you think your point is. Do you think the flag had less racist connotations 50 years ago?

      I don't think anyone is necessarily saying these people are racist, but rather that the flag is really inappropriate.

      .

      • I Feel Love 5.1.1
        16 June 2020 at 6:50 pm

        What Soltka said, and this, the car guys may not be racist, but the flag is. It's the flag of the slave owners, and those fighting for their right to own slaves.

        Red Badge of Courage, a beautiful book, about a boy in the US Civil War who doesn't even know what side he's on.

    • observer 5.2
      16 June 2020 at 8:21 pm

      I'm sure the people displaying the flag are not saying "let's be racist". I'm sure they're not thinking at all about what it means.

      But that's the whole point. It's time they did.

      (and Todd McClay could help educate them … if he wanted to.)

  6. Incognito 6
    16 June 2020 at 9:47 pm

    What it is with National and flags? Todd & Todd should call for a flag referendum. After all, it has been a while and there’s nothing like a flag referendum to distract Kiwis, demand media attention, and fake relevance.

  7. gsays 7
    17 June 2020 at 11:24 am

    So do the winds of change blow hard enough for us to reconsider the racist actions tied into the Union Jack in our ensign?

    Or is it just American racism that is bad?

  8. drpanopticon 8
    14 July 2020 at 4:36 pm

    What an empty suit Todd McClay is. It doesn't help that he can't correctly pronounce the electorate he represents. Wouldn't take much effort….unless you're a racist, of course.