The display of the virtual Nazi swastika — that the immoral refer to as the Confederate flag — in small-town Minnesota on the Fourth disgraces the entire state. For that in Hartland to hide behind political correctness is a joke and speaks volumes to the poor education rural America provides its children. The Civil War was about slavery! Millions more suffered and died under Southern slavery than in the Nazi Holocaust. Is it political correctness that causes a person to say that Adolph Hitler was a bad person? There isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between Hitler and John C. Calhoun, the most hateful of slavery’s advocates. Add that to the re-emergence of that flag in the mid-20th century, undeniably espousing racial bigotry and you have the foundation for Southerners teaching their children to hate, hate, hate. For that to bleed into my state makes my skin crawl!

From what I’ve read, the only person who can hold his head high in connection with this hideousness is the fire chief at Hartland. As tough as it is to find volunteer firemen, I encourage him to rid his department of this man and any who would support him.

Officials in Albert Lea should also be ashamed of themselves for their ho-hum response to the flag’s presence. Do any of you know the sacrifice of Minnesota’s troops at Gettysburg? That was the era of Albert Lea’s military career. What do you think he thinks about that symbol of hatred?

Erhard provides me an avenue of response, whereby I will never again spend a red cent at NAPA. I wish I had business in Albert Lea or Hartland so I could cancel it.

If you think this is a trivial issue, “Get ye to a history book!”

 

Tom Meneely 

Arco