Webmaster's Note: This commentary is in response to Mike Griffith's letter regarding the Georgia State Flag which is posted below this commentary.

Mike,
Your comments are noted and deserve some response. I rather imagine you expected that.

While I'm sure of your sincerity, I think you've been MIA as far as keeping up with the heritage situation in Georgia.

You speak of "defense" in the same sense we knew the term back in the fifties when first became involved in the movement. Much has changed in the more recent twenty years. We are now in a culture war, not just in Georgia, but throughout the nation.

The defense projects you define are fine, and are still alive and well. Today's battle encompasses a great deal more. Rather than being reactive, which is basically what defense is, the strategy today is proactive.

The people of Georgia will not give up, as you suggest, on their '56 state flag. They have never had a fair hearing, or a fair vote, and until that happens, your admonition to give it up will be met with more than a little scorn.

As to the temporary substitute for a state flag that you so dearly love and think Georgians should too, I will point out that it is so unpopular that it received only 14.8% of the registered votes in the rigged referendum which denied the right to vote on the 56 flag. Pretty popular, huh?

Accept this as fact, whether you like it or not, it won't be over until the people have a fair vote. That will ultimately happen.

To set your mind at ease, Georgians are making remarkable progress in a number of dedicated areas though programs of the Georgia Heritage Coalition and others. GHC is made up of individual members, including members and current and past leaders of about a dozen heritage organizations. GHC does not speak for any other organization, but does take strong positions as a non 501-C, for it's own membership.

Here's a short synopsis of some of the items of importance GHC has undertaken during the past year:

Wrote and promoted the Fair Vote Act which attained a majority of pledged support in the Georgia Senate before being shelved for expediency by the administration due to a complete legislative redistricting by the court.

Worked with others and lobbied for the passage of new legislation which beefs up protection of private military and historical monuments, plaques, markers, etc.

GHC has agreed to be Plaintiff in the Augusta Riverwalk Heritage violation case and will furnish funds which we hope others will match or exceed.

In Georgia, we have learned we can succeed when all of the heritage people get together and work toward a common goal without giving up any individual autonomy.

GHC maintains three lobbyists at the Georgia General Assembly and state offices and agencies.

GHC provides Voter Guides for all Georgia elections. The guide for November will be very comprehensive (dozens of races) from questionnaires to each candidate. We have already gained legislative seats from the primary. We expect greater gains in the November election. We remain adamantly non-partisan.

GHC has undertaken a massive PR campaign in all media with a task force of experts in the field contributing. Newspaper inches are up substantially, radio and TV mentions are, too. We are adding to our cadre of talk show talent.

The GHC website is becoming one of the top heritage websites in Georgia. Because of its links and partners, it has potential reach in the hundreds of thousands. It is particularly known for the original satire and humor (here's an example), plus about a dozen columnists who contribute regularly. Almost 2,000 are on our automatic update and alert list.

During the coming year GHC will be forming a Heritage Caucus in the Georgia legislature. In addition, there will be a number of events, in various parts of the state in conjunction with locally organized GHC districts. Included in this will be Georgia's celebration of Jefferson Davis' birthday, with a ball, co-sponsored with other heritage groups.

And, there is more. The point is much more than work to restore the '56 flag is taking place in Georgia, but the flag is, and will be, the catalyst that makes us go.

I'm proud of the new spirit in heritage affairs in Georgia, and of the talented people from all of the organizations that have individually joined in the effort.

With personal best wishes,

Jeff Davis, GHC Chairman

Re: Georgia Flaggers. . . . From: mtgriffith1@yahoo.com I think Georgia heritage defenders need to drop the state flag issue and devote their efforts to other, more worthwhile projects. The Georgia flag debate is over, for all intents and purposes. The new Georgia state flag is a Confederate flag and a rather pretty one at that. Further effort toward trying to bring back the '56 flag will simply be wasted effort. It's time for Georgia heritage defenders to put their time and money toward other projects. Instead of flagging the governor and other officials, how about manning heritage defense booths at malls or similar places? How about holding a bake sale or a car wash, handing out heritage defense literature at the event, and using the money to help purchase a pro-Confederate ad in a local newspaper? Mike Griffith Civil War website http://ourworld.cs.com/mikegriffith1/id163.htm The 2003 Perdue/Chamber flag