Folks,
I'm seeing some tugging and pulling taking place that we could do well to put at ease during these difficult times. I refer specifically to comments regarding The Museum of the Confederacy.

There are at this moment several other museums and historical landmarks which deserve more immediate attention.

While we have reports of damage and destruction and criminal looting, we do not know yet how each individual case will play out. At best, it is going to take more time and money than any one has even contemplated.

Trying to recover the stolen items from many sites alone is a large chore. E-Bay already has shown a mysterious spurt in Confederate memorabilia.

The immediate focus, it seems to me, should be on Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans where we hope most of the contents are safe and Beauvoir in Biloxi, where we know much has been lost, but mercifully much can be saved and restored.

The MOC has problems but not the kind mentioned above.

As a member of a Virginia family and a Georgian as well, I have deep sympathies for elements of the debate regarding the MOC and the Georgia state flag. I have been quite involved in those debates.

Mike Crane states the case as accurately as anything I've seen. His main point is at a time like this, why would anyone be pushing the propaganda that the counterfeit replacement flag in Georgia is an acceptable Confederate flag. I beg you to read the acts creating both the 1956 flag which was stolen and the imposter. You will see the '56 flag act stipulates honoring the Confederate states, while the imposter flag stipulates the stars represent the Betsy Ross flag. I honor the Betsy Ross flag but it in no way should be construed as Confederate. That little piece of chicanery is but a part of that to which Mike refers.

Additionally, Mike's attitude toward the Museum of the Confederacy is not one of deterring support beyond his own purview. He merely presents the views of most Georgians regarding the MOC's attitudes toward political correctness. While he's concerned about their removal of our real state flag, and we all are, I'm concerned about statements the MOC puts out in publications and correspondence like "Jefferson Davis would have been better served to keep his nose completely out of any debate about a state flag."

As deplorable and misleading as that statement is, what good purpose other than pandering to nabobs can it serve?

When challenged by me on this wholly inaccurate statement, Mr. Rawls of MOC admitted they have no historical documentation to back up their published statements. When asked to cease using them or retract them, there was no affirmative response. In my view, that is intentional political correctness run amok.

In passing this information on, I am not asking anyone to withhold support of the MOC, though I personally will until or unless they make some major changes in attitudes and policy. Conversely, I'd like to find a way to come to terms, and have tried, so that we could all work jointly thru the trials ahead.

In the meantime, my concentration will be to do anything in my meager ways to help both Confederate Memorial Hall and Beauvoir in this most desperate period. The loss of visitor revenue alone for a long protracted period is going to put a heavy burden on us all. A burden that is infinitesimal when considered in light of the burdens our ancestors suffered and died for. Think about it.

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as chairman of the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.

Related Links
Confederate Memorial Hall

Beauvoir Jefferson Davis Home & Library

Museum of the Confederacy

MOC plans to replace '56 Georgia flag with Perdue Counterfeit flag - Steve Scroggins

The Ball's in MOC's Court Now - Steve Scroggins