Wiretap: Confederate battle flag is ‘American swastika’

American swastika

Sally Jenkins, a Washington Post sports columnist, daughter of the South, student of the Civil War, tells us what the Confederate battle flag is really about: “The Confederate battle flag is an American swastika, the relic of traitors and totalitarians, symbol of a brutal regime, not a republic. The Confederacy was treason in defense of a still deeper crime against humanity: slavery. If weaklings find racial hatred to be a romantic expression of American strength and purity, make no mistake that it begins by unwinding a red thread from that flag.”

Grieving Charleston

Kathleen Parker, whose family settled in Charleston more than 300 years ago, says it’s time to grieve for her city. Via The Washington Post.

Power of forgiveness

David Remnick on mercy and a manifesto in Charleston and the history of the miracle of forgiveness. Via The New Yorker.

Dubious donations

A white supremacist linked to Charleston suspect Dylann Roof gave money to Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Rand Paul. The New York Times reports that Cruz says he is returning the money. Santorum and Paul spokesmen did not return requests for comment.

Down under

You never know where you might find a bit of wisdom. Try an Australian comic for an expletive-filled hilarious rant on what America’s gun obsession looks like to the rest of the world. Via The Washington Post.

After Obamacare

In laying out his plan for a post-Obamacare America, Jeb Bush points out that the idea for the health-insurance exchanges came originally from Republicans. Via The National Journal.

Turning tide

When the Supreme Court finally makes its ruling on Obamacare — and it will be quite soon — everything will change, whichever way the justices decide. Via The Atlantic.

Poll problems

Pollster and scholar Cliff Zukin tells us what is wrong with polling today. Let’s start with the obvious: It’s worse than you think. Via The New York Times.

They’re back

HBO’s True Detective is back, this time with a badass woman and a long list of neutered man. (WARNING: SPOILERS GALORE). Via The Daily Beat.

 

Photo credit: AK Rockefeller, Creative Commons, Flickr.

 

The Colorado Independent is a statewide online news source operating in a time when spin is plentiful, but factual, fair and unflinching news in the public interest is all too rare. Our award-winning team of veteran investigative and explanatory reporters and news columnists aims to amplify the voices of Coloradans whose stories are unheard, shine light on the relationships between people, power and policy, and hold public officials to account. We strive to report the news with context, social conscience, and soul, and to give Coloradans the insight they need to promote conversation, understanding and progress in this square, swing state we call home.