Hard feelings unfurl with huge Confederate flag

TAMPA — Marion Lambert had hinted for months that he had big plans for Hillsborough County.

If commissioners wouldn't acknowledge Southern heritage with a simple proclamation, he would take his cause directly to the public.

He made good this week by unfurling a 30-by-50 foot Confederate battle flag at the junction of two major interstates that bisect Hillsborough. A rebel yell if ever there was one.

"All we asked for was recognition and just a piece of paper," Lambert, a member of Jubal A. Early Camp 556 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, told commissioners on Wednesday. "All we want is to be honored for who we are."

Commissioners found themselves pleading with Lambert and some of his supporters to reconsider. They appealed to his sense of civic responsibility, warning that the flag would divide the community.

"It's not that you honor it," said Commissioner Rose Ferlita. "It's how you honor it."

Commissioner Mark Sharpe read from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's own words, which preached restraint toward a foe. One could hear in it a variation on a popular modern query: "What would Lee do?"

Commissioners got a strong sense of the potential backlash to come. They have struggled with similar disputes in the past, including protests 15 years ago over the old county seal, since replaced, which included a Confederate flag.

Community activist Michelle Williams said the flag still sends a painful message to some in the community. She displayed large photographic images of black men lynched during the reign of terror led by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan from the late 1800s until the 1960s, using the Confederate flag as one of their symbols.

"You want to put that flag up and you want to remind people what it stands for?" asked Williams, her voice rising in volume. "It's not going to happen."

Lambert unveiled the flag Tuesday on property he bought four years ago near the junction of Interstates 4 and 75. The flag has been taken down, but will return permanently, possibly in a month or so, as part of a memorial to Confederate veterans.

An attorney for the county told commissioners that they likely have little recourse; Lambert followed all the permitting rules.

Lambert is part of a small group that had sought a proclamation from commissioners naming April 2007 Southern Heritage Month. Commissioners had granted the annual proclamation request in the past.

But they had faced criticism two months earlier for honoring the birthday anniversary of Lee on the same day they recognized the achievements of a long-time black educator. When Southern Heritage Month came, a majority of commissioners refused to sign the proclamation.

Similar flags have gone up in the North Florida community of Havana, as well as White Springs in Suwannee County, said Lambert, who is co-chairman of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Flags Across Florida project. It is a response to what Lambert says are increasing slights to Confederate heritage.

The one in Hillsborough won the attention of CNN and Fox News. The Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism, criticized plans for it Wednesday, saying the flag has been used by hate groups as a symbol of white supremacy.

Lambert is not fazed. And he said it won't matter if Hillsborough commissioners change their mind on proclamations in the future. The flag is going up for thousands to see on a daily basis.

"We've been marginalized, put off the table," Lambert said. "Now they want to talk to us?

Staff writer Jessica Vander Velde contributed to this report. Bill Varian can be reached at varian@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3387.

Comments on this article

by James	Jun 5, 2008 11:48 AM
The Confederate Flag represents the principles of America's founding fathers: Limited Constitutional Federal Government, States Rights, Resistance To Government Tyranny, and Christian Values and Principles. The same as the Betsy Ross U.S. flag.

by JamesWKing	Jun 5, 2008 10:47 AM
The Confederate flag represents the principles of America's founding fathers who were primarily Southern gentlemen from Virginia: Constitutional Limited Federal Government, States Rights, Resistance to government tyranny, and Christian values.

by JamesW

Jun 5, 2008 10:47 AM

The Confederate Flag and the United States Flag are judged by different standards and criteria, and are not held to the same levels of accountability. In analytical science and weights and measures, comparisons are made against known standards. However, in politics comparisons are never made in a fair and impartial manner. In order to understand the hypocrisy, ignorance, and bias that have been directed against the Confederate Flag, it is necessary to use the U.S. Flag (Stars and Stripes) as a standard of comparison. The purpose of this comparison is not to berate or disparage the U.S. Flag, but rather to prove that the Confederate Flag has received unfair and unequal treatment. The genocide and racial cleansing of the American Indians took place under the U.S. Flag. Finally, the U.S. Flag flies over a nation that has murdered an estimated 50 million babies by abortion. Political Correctness has been used to attempt bans of The Confederate Flag from schools, parad

by Buck Joe Bob	Jun 5, 2008 10:25 AM
I for one will feel a sense of relief as I drive by this flag...in my U-Haul as I high-tail it out of Floriduh. Good luck in re-living the 19th century all over again, I wish you all the best! Maybe you can fly one over the new baseball stadium, too!

by Thorny	Jun 5, 2008 10:25 AM
The Confederates "lost" to an enemy that had to resort to killing women and children in order to achieve victory. Ignorant people celebrate that everyday. The south lost the war and the nation lost its soul. So who "won"?

by Bettye	Jun 5, 2008 10:25 AM
You can't change history,whether you agree or not,they were American's too,fighting for there beliefs and pursuit of there rights of freedom of choice, all Americans should respect that. Look what we did to the Native Americans!

by werd	Jun 5, 2008 10:25 AM
The south lost... get over it.

by DixieGirl	Jun 5, 2008 10:24 AM
So many people take this flag to be hate not heritage... When its heritage not hate. We are proud of our history.. Let it fly!! Stop being close minded, and just let it be, you cant change history! Dixie Girl

by Mike	Jun 5, 2008 10:23 AM
I was born here and it is part of my heritage but you don't see me crying that we need a whole month to celebrate that. Fly the colors and be proud.

by Dennis	Jun 5, 2008 10:14 AM
Southern Born and Proud of it. Drop the race crap. This is the flag of the Confederate South, not the anti-blacks or any other group. Just like the African-Americans flaunt their African flag in our face, so shall we have the right to show our flag

by CMouse	Jun 5, 2008 9:36 AM
If I would have known it was going to be like this, I never would have surrendered.-Robert E. Lee

by John	Jun 5, 2008 9:36 AM
Can we please stop the crap? When is this stupid PC nonsense going to end? If they want to fly the CSA Naval Battle flag let them, the war was over more than slavery. Good people died on both sides, let them be honored and grow up!

by Gordon	Jun 5, 2008 9:36 AM
A noose?Why has Ms. Williams not been charged with a hate crime or felony intimidation?I'm tired of linguini spined politicians. We have a right to defend our heritage or is diversity of thought only one way?Keep it flying boys!Deo Vindice.

by tom	Jun 5, 2008 9:36 AM
I'm with SB. Mr Lambert, please get one of the real CSA National Flags for your memorial? preferably an American-made one instead of Made in China.

by John	Jun 5, 2008 9:36 AM
Only in FL. A state showcasing your right to be as backwards as you want and proud of the two teeth you've got left.

by Bud	Jun 5, 2008 9:36 AM
The Confederate Flag is a part of history so get over the references to slavery and bigotry. One sees many different flags like some of the South American and Island nations and no one is demanding they be taken down!!!

by geezer	Jun 5, 2008 9:21 AM
"honored for who we are"? You are nobody. You didn't fight for the south. No special honor goes to you because your forbearers did. Use the actual confederate flag instead of the battle flag. Oh that one doesn't stir up trouble does it? Pathetic.

by frank	Jun 5, 2008 9:21 AM
Memo to all you d0-goodering political correctnessers... History is History.

by next2u	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
Perhaps Ms. Lambert should have been the target of Sharpes limp wristed attempt to quote Robert E. Lee. The seven mental dwarfs finally got "called" on thier stupid prior proclamation apology just like Storms on the gay/library and bar issues.

by Rick	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
The flag is a beautiful reminder of the cause for which our ancestors fought. Let it fly forever.

by Charles	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
It's private land, it's a part of Southern heritage,so if it offends you, don't look at it. I'm sick of this pc on everything.

by Dan	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
Not sure what this line has to do with anything.. Hey your wife's done left you." um.. what? Who's wife? Is this story not done yet? Anyway these idiots lost the war. "All we want is to be honored for who we are?" Really? You're nothing. Done.

by SB	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
I'll shelve my outrage and ask one question: Why does he insist on "recognition" by flying a flag that NEVER represented the CSA? The CSA had 3 flags. This wasn't one of them. The battle flag looked like this but it was square, not rectangular.

by David	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
These descendants of slavers, segregationists and assorted racists surely have no shame. You would think they would not want to remind people of how awful their ancestors were.

by doreen	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
couldn't the quote apply to Ms. Williams too?

by Ms. Williams	Jun 5, 2008 9:20 AM
No one wants to relive this whole situation. It has slightly been plaguing the black community for many years now. I know that you all only see the negative in the news with the blacks but you don't see the positive, because they want you to.

by Debbie	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
Oh get over it. Burying your head in the sand doesn't make history go away. It stimulates conversation that can be addressed and discussed. Its ok if African Americans want to bring up history, but god forbid a caucausan do it! Keep it flying high.

by gilbert	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
so what if the flag goes up. Its just a flag people will think what they want. Don't we have bigger things to worry about in our lives?

by mark case	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
The Confederate battle flag is a symbol of ignorance and defeat in a time where our citizens turned their weapons on each other. Lee and his officers should have been hung as traitors. The flag now is a worthless rag and anyone flying it a redneck.

by Neil WASSERMAN	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
I'm not a big advicate on the Confederate Battle Flag but the flag doe's have history just like our National flag.The Confederate flag had it's share of blood spilled on it .Bottom line you can't change history is what it is.

by John	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
That is no different than flying a Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Mexican flag in your front yard.

by Walter	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
Florida statutes say it is unlawful to "deface, defile or contemptuously abuse" the Confederate flag, but say it is also illegal to prevent the display of the flag "for decorative or patriotic purposes."

by BillyBearden	Jun 5, 2008 9:19 AM
Aww, poor little liberals and politically correct whiners. ALL they had to do was to sign a benign proclamation in honor of American Veterans. They chose to side with the leftist hate crowd. Now they come gunning for private property. Welcome to USSR

by jon	Jun 5, 2008 9:18 AM
camp town ladies sing this song, loser-loser!! Yankees won the confederacys gone, loser-loser! With all the suffering in this world, right here in this country! Poverty, education, the economy, elections. This idiot cares about when?

by Connie	Jun 5, 2008 9:18 AM
Good for the FL Sons! Those commissioners had no respect for Gen. Lee or our Southern history, but want to use Gen. Lee's words now that things aren't going their way. Stop the lies about Southern history and you'll see how beautiful that flag is!