Rev.Clementa Pinckney and the 2000 flag compromise
I am now seeing eleventy billion messages about Rev.Pinckney and his vote in 2000 for the compromise. It moved the Confederate flag from the top of the Statehouse to its current position. Nobody was happy.
Many are saying that if Rev.Pinckney didn't vote "no" then why should it be removed. They seem unable to grasp the term COMPROMISE. The debate was rancorous and epic even for South Carolina. It ate the entire 2000 legislative session.
I thought there would eventually be actual skirmishes if it kept going with the tone that was set. I heard people who I know were reasonable on many social issues become almost unhinged over it. The rhetoric on both sides was flaming hot.
This was why Rev.Pinckney and most of the Senators came up with the compromise. Nobody who voted for it liked it. However, feelings were running very high and showing no sign of abating. This was passed as an interim step to allow the temperature to be lowered.
The vote on the compromise was just as heated. It did pass. Rev.Pinckney did not vote for the flag. He voted for a compromise which was in character for him as someone who tried to bridge differences.
I'm glad the flag is going to come down(knock on wood). I am also glad that it doesn't apoear that too many people will be lighting matches and throwing gasoline. It is beyond sad that 9 people had to lose their lives to bring a glimmer of sense to this topic.
The Civil War began in Charleston. Perhaps it is fitting that it hopefully will finally begin to end here. The price was very dear though. Nine.........
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