[ThinkSouth] A Final Indignity

[John Simpkins]

As the nation mourned the passing of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, South Carolina was officially mum on the matter. That is, flags over state government buildings were not lowered to half-staff on the day of her funeral. Flags flying over federal buildings within the state were lowered at the instruction of President Bush. Governor Mark Sanford's office, however, said that the Governor lacked authority to lower the flag. The story appears in the November 3 edition of The State newspaper.

The Governor's spokespeople insisted that he did not have proper authority to order flags to be lowered to half-staff. His ability to make such a request is limited to these circumstances. Nevertheless, it would have been a painless act for the Governor to take to the steps of the State House (perhaps even the side facing the memorial where the Confederate battle flag flies) and shame the General Assembly into passing an emergency measure to properly honor the life of Mrs. Parks. This newfound timidity is surprising and disappointing from the same chief executive who, just a few months ago, brought to pigs into the chamber of the state House of Representatives to illustrate the out of control porkbarrel spending in the legislature. He followed that up--literally--with a horse and buggy act.

Lowering flags over state buildings to half-staff would have cost no political capital. If anything, another well-timed use of the bully pulpit would have earned the Governor praise for showing a leadership role on an issue of importance to the South Carolinians of all races who share a commitment to racial equality. That my Governor could not take the lead on such a clear issue of simple dignity is disappointing and embarrassing.

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Posted by John Simpkins to ThinkSouth at 11/03/2005 09:40:00 PM