Greene County Tennessee commissioner cowards vote down flag resolution

[Guns Aren't The Problem - NEGROES are the problem]

GREENEVILLE — Greene County commissioners Monday night roundly
rejected a resolution to fly the Confederate battle flag at the
county courthouse.

Nearly 100 people — bearing flags on both sides of the divisive
issue — crowded the courthouse steps outside, where news of the
20-1 vote was met mostly with cheers and chants of “USA!”

“This diversion, this circus, is a waste of our county
commission,” said Greene County schoolteacher Collette Parkins,
who was among those gathered ahead of the vote. “It’s very
disappointing that they would take this energy on this issue.”

Parkins’ sentiments were echoed during the meeting by a several
residents who noted Greene County’s staunch support for the
Union during the Civil War and asked the measure’s sponsor,
Commissioner James “Buddy” Randolph — who cast the lone vote in
favor — to withdraw it.

Stevie Hughes, president of the Greene County Genealogical
Society, noted the “Roll of Honor,” compiled by the group, that
includes the names of the more than 700 Greene County men who
fought and died on either side of the war. She suggested that
their names be displayed inside the courthouse instead.

“This action would honor all and offend none,” Hughes said
during the meeting.

Chris Ward, founder of the Tennessee Freedom Alliance, walked 12
miles from his home to the courthouse, carrying two Confederate
flags in honor of his great-great grandfather.

“I’m sure he walked into his hometown by himself and joined the
Confederates,” said Ward, who added that he has ancestors who
fought for the Union as well. “But he’s the most direct
bloodline I got. If he wouldn’t have made it back from the war,
I wouldn’t be here today.”

Randolph offered a similar heritage-not-hate argument, albeit
amid a rambling statement that also touched on mass shootings,
public hangings and prayer in school.

“The Confederate flag is American history. Part of it, whether
you like it or not,” said Randolph, a local sheriff’s deputy.
“And that’s the reason I did this — no other reason. They wanna
do everything and we let them get by with doin’ away with it.
... First thing they done is take prayer outta schools years ago.

“They wanna take Christmas signs down, and trees, and
everything. The Ten Commandments. And we let’em get by with it.
But it’s time we stand up and do something.”

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/greene-county-
commissioners-nix-flag-idea_53955699