And the General Motors and Chevrolet/Kid Rock Confederate flag use controversy continues. It seems General Motors is now taking steps to meet with the National Action Network, or NAN, over Kid Rock’s usage of the flag, according to Automotive News.
The quick backstory on this controversy: Kid Rock is currently touring with the support of a Chevrolet sponsorship. The Oakland Press originally called out GM for their support of Kid Rock while displaying the Stars and Bars, and it has caught the attention of the NAN. During a recent interview, Kid Rock told Megyn Kelly of Fox News to “kiss my ass” regarding his use of the flag.
GM has stated they will not pull the Chevrolet sponsorship of the tour, and released a brief statement saying, “Kid Rock’s Chevrolet-sponsored summer tour has not yet featured a display of the flag. The only flag on stage during the Chevy-sponsored summer concert tour is the American flag, and to our knowledge, Kid Rock has not used the Confederate flag on stage for several years.”
The NAN is also calling for a display on local music inside the Detroit Historical Museum to be taken down. The display is financed by Kid Rock.
Comments
This whole deal is nonsense. Why in the world do we waste time worrying about this? Free speech is dead? He has not used the flag in over 5 years in his show. THE FLAG IS A PART OF HISTORY, NOTHING ELSE. I am sick of this. If he wants to use the flag tomorrow, I support his decision. I think Chevrolet is correct to not bow to the PC insanity.
You are co-mingling all sorts of ideas that don’t belong together. Which is to say you’re half right and half wrong.
“This whole deal is nonsense.”
Nope. Just parts of it.
“He has not used the flag in over 5 years in his show.”
Good point. NAN is really reaching with KidRock. Or they were until he told everyone to kiss his ass on this topic. When he did that — he kinda legitimized the concern that seemed nearly ridiculous.
“THE FLAG IS A PART OF HISTORY, NOTHING ELSE.”
Wildly inaccurate statement.
The Plymouth Rock is part of history. It’s in Plymouth Mass. You can go see it. Once you’ve seen this part of history, you leave it behind. You can’t carry a piece of that rock with you or wear it as a necklace. Said rock, though, isn’t ‘nothing else’. It’s a symbol. Of the beginning of America.
Descendants of Indians are probably not entirely fond of that rock. For obvious reasons. As they are not entirely fond of our flag. Too bad for them that over %99 of Americans don’t care.
The Confederate Flag isn’t analogous to the Plymouth Rock. Sure, it’s a part of history. But there is a BIG ‘something else’ that does matters. Nearly %100 of Black Americans resent what that flag symbolizes to them. And those blacks are joined by all nearly all lefties and many moderate righties in distaste for that flag.
That means a majority of Americans want that flag in museums and nowhere else. In some polls it’s a broad majority. This is evident since Nikki Haley (Republican) and her Republican state Senators and Congressman and local government TOOK IT DOWN.
This action NEGATES the pathetic arguments that this is a ‘liberal’ ‘PC’ conspiracy and that all us naysayers don’t know the flag’s history accurately. If that argument held any water, the flag would still be up in conservative South Carolina. It came down because a majority of Americans no longer approve of said flag. That debate is, itself, a part of history now.
“Free speech is dead?”
Taking down that flag IS free speech. The people have spoken: enough is enough. Not all the people. But a poignant majority.
“If he wants to use the flag tomorrow, I support his decision.”
See? Your speech is still free. Your problem — and the problem that Chevy must deal with — is that you’re now in a minority. A minority that appears to be either clueless or supportive of the KKK’s favorite flag.
“I think Chevrolet is correct to not bow to the PC insanity.”
Chevy must try to please as many people as possible. Not because of ‘PC’ but because Chevy wants to have more customers than whining myopic racists.
The problem here is that no longer sponsoring KidRock’s tour seems kinda silly. He’s not waving that flag and hasn’t in five years. What does NAN ultimately want? It would appear they want Chevy to pressure KidRock to say something indicating he’s on the ‘take down the flag’ page.
In my opinion, NAN played this wrong. Way wrong. They should have simply waited for either KidRock to say the wrong thing about this flag, wave it, or point out audience members waving it. At that point they’d have some red meat. What NAN has done is asked KidRock to promise to not keep doing something he once did.
Very weak.
I’m cool with Kid Rock telling the protestors to kiss his ass regarding the Confederate flag.
Wave it all you want, Kid.
As long as you’re willing to be paid in Confederate dollars, I have no problem at all
Blacks are just playing victim again, looking for free stuff. If they quit complaining, maybe we’d all get along.
Well, as far as free stuff goes, whites take 40% of SNAP (food stamp assistance), African Amercians 25%, and Hispanics 10%, as of 2014.
Maybe they learned that ‘get free stuff’ from the masters of the game –
dem white folks down south. Whites also take more Medicare and Medicaid money, too.
Wonder how long it’ll be before Mr Trump moves from Hispanics, to Sen. McCain, to blacks… Something tells me you’re a potential Trump voter (if you’re a legal citizen, and not a felon).
“Blacks are just playing victim again, looking for free stuff. If they quit complaining, maybe we’d all get along.”
Like the free labor for about 2 centuries? The free labor that turned this land and resources into the largest pile of wealth on the planet? The free labor that is the very reason we can’t all get along in the first place?
I’m all for free speech.
But I think it’s unwise for GM to become a lightning rod on and issue that’s not going away anytime soon.
Then again, tone-deafness is nothing new to the lifers running the ‘new GM’.
Kid Rock was dead to me when he ripped off Warren Zevon. If he hasn’t used the Confederate Flag for five years and elects to use it again after this mess, he’s an idiot.
Well it is stated he retired the flag 5 years ago. He retired it after winning an award from the NAACP.
He has no plans on using it and Chevy remind commuted to him.
This was just a case of a small group just trying to attract attention to the group or another case I’d cooperate racial black mail.
There more pressing issues with the KKK and Black Panther now showing up in SC. The only thing worse than one group of idiots are two group of idiots.
I agree.
“There more pressing issues with the KKK.”
If a local ISIS CLUB marched down the street in blackhoods, they’d be arrested as domestic terrorists. What makes the KKK the least bit different?
Sorry you can not pick and choose here. The Panthers are not any better deal. If you despise the one you have to despise the mirror group.
Sorry if you do not know your constitution but no black robed ISIS would not be arrested for marching down the street unless they brake some crime.
That is part of out countries rights to demonstrate peacefully. Now if they were hacking off heads on the way down the street yes then you would have a case.
Sorry your right to demonstrate or speak out against groups like this also give the groups the right to demonstrate and speak out too.
Like I said in the other thread if you want freedom you also have to be able to grow a pair and deal with being offended at some point. It is a game of give and take.
But to make it worse some even lead in to make a profit on this.
1. The Panthers are a response to the KKK. Not the other way around. If the KKK wasn’t, the Panthers wouldn’t. That’s why panthers aren’t black supremacists.
2. Explain to me why members of ISIS don’t march in the street.
Bud Panthers are wrong no matter what. Hate on either side solves nothing. You also should dig deeper into their history as there is more there than just apposing the KKK.
You really are showing a lack or understanding here.
As for ISIS we just had one show his stuff in a plaza yesterday right on a main street.
The fact is if they wanted to march down a street and apply for the permits as long as they did no harm to anyone they have that right to march. Where is there a law that says an ISIS or member of any party, religion, race or orientation can not march legally?
Now I for one would advise against it as someone with a truck with a rebel flag would take a shot at them. Generally they don’t miss.
Besides sleeper cells do not advertise.
But if you look around we have gay marchers, Religion marchers of all kinds. Communist marchers, NAZI marchers, KKK marchers, Abortion pro and anti marchers. Black marchers, Irish parades you name it out there.
John the fact is if you want to peacefully demonstrate you can march for any cause in this country. While many may be ill advised such as the one in SC tomorrow they have that right.
Show me a law where it names ISIS as not being able to peacefully protest not saying I think they could.
In years past there were some of the largest NAZI gatherings at the Garden in NYC.
You failed to explain why ISIS doesn’t march in the streets.
“But if you look around we have gay marchers, Religion marchers of all kinds. Communist marchers, NAZI marchers, KKK marchers, Abortion pro and anti marchers. Black marchers, Irish parades you name it out there.” and “Where is there a law that says an ISIS or member of any party, religion, race or orientation can not march legally?”
Interesting how you twice equate terrorists with non-terrorists. It’s kind of a ‘tell’ actually.
Why? For the same reason many hate groups don’t as the odds are good they would be attacked.
Also they are unlike the Nazi and KKK marchers where they are active in a global growth. When you are planning the to harm you generally do not go out and parade around.
You would call the KKK a non terror organization? While not really active today they at one time were
“Why? For the same reason many hate groups don’t as the odds are good they would be attacked.”
You can’t have it both ways. If it is an American right to march in support of something, you need not fear of retaliation.
Say you’re pro-life. There’s nothing wrong with that, and so there’s no reason to march in white hoods. The police exist to maintain your right to protest as such, even if some pro-lifers are extremist and assassinate doctors.
So it’s lame to say the reason why ISIS members don’t march in black hoods is because they fear for their life. If you’re so gungho American you should celebrate their freedom to march and count on the police to protect them. Instead you suggested that Confed Flag rednecks who rarely miss would go vigilante on them… which is your ‘tell’.
That rights only exist for people you agree with. That’s phony freedom of speechery.
By the way what is the deal with ISIS in black neighbor hoods?
Phony Speechery? What hole did you pull that one out of.
You have presented a perfect case study here that even if you make no sense what so ever you have a right to state your opinion.
If you tried this in Syria right now odds are you would be dead.
I am a Gung-ho American and I so celebrate anyone’s right to protest or demonstrate. I also celebrate your right to express your views even if I do not agree. With that said I will still not agree with all the views expressed.
As you have already demonstrated people have a right to be foolish but yet heard.
John you have not shown me where there is a law that says if you identify yourself with a terror group you can not demonstrate for them.
Granted it would be unwise to do so but there is no law that says you can not demonstrate for a terror organization. Please point out the law that says you can not do so.
The KKK and Panthers have committed acts of terror but as any and as long as they peacefully demonstrate there is nothing you can arrest them for,
This is why fighting terror is very hard as we have many suspects here but until they do something wrong or obtain things they should not have there is little you can do to arrest them. Now you can not permit someone from entering the country if you suspect something but for a full citizen here you can not arrest them just because they associate with a group. You can watch them but can not arrest them. Again read your constitution and read up on the bill of rights.
It also does not help as the DOJ and the president too often refer to true terror attacks as work place violence? At the rate it is going even if someone here commits an act of terror it is not treated as such by our own elected officials.
This is part of the reason why ISIS has been recruiting with in the country. They have been working the web constantly and yet they are not shut down. We could block them easily like China does but again I refer you to the bill of rights and constitution.
The fact is you also have to consider is ISIS is also an active group and if they are planning attacks they will not advertise who they are and where they are so do you really think they would plan a parade. Their idea is more to kill you than promote a cause for you. Their tactics are a little more different than most hate or terror groups.
I think you really need to brush up on your rights given in this country. It appears you missed that day in school. The great part of this country is you can choose to believe and support what ever you want. But the negative is some of the evil people can do the same for their own causes. As long as they are not breaking a law like killing someone or holding illegal items there is little you can do with someone if they want to fly an ISIS flag or identify with the group.
There is a man in Jersey who flew the ISIS flag and also students who have identified themselves as supporters but what law says they can be arrested? You have not pointed a law out that says you can not support a evil cause as long as there is no harm.
They are both idiotic groups and both should be denounced as they both use violent and despicable rhetoric in their speech. Yes indeed the BP’s are black supremacists. If you can’t see that or hear that you are deaf, blind, and choose to remain ignorant due to some sort of societal guilt or historical misinterpretation.
The KKK and the BP’s are one in the same just one is a group of a-hole whites and the other a bunch of a-hole blacks.
Hmm, so on the KKK side, there are numerous incidents of murder, lynchings, bombings, beatings, and rapes, reported AND unreported/covered up.
If anyone on this post can provide links and concrete evidence that the Black Panthers have done ANY of these things to innocent Whites, I’ll be quiet.
It’s kinda funny if you think about it, nothing says you’re infringing my rights like infringing someone’s rights. People say if you don’t like gay marriage don’t get gay married. Okay, well if you don’t like the confed flag, don’t buy one.
Jimmy,
The correct analogy would be if South Carolina had a gay rights rainbow flag flying on the state house… but a majority of their citizens against gay marriage.
No it wouldn’t. I’m talking about the fact that this started as taking down the flag from a statehouse, which I agree should be taken down, to nobody is allowed to use the flag. You’re simply pitching bitching at everyone with a different opinion from yours. Gay marriage is a civil right Just as much as having a confed flag in your yard is.
Personally idc if you fly the flag on your car etc. Just makes it easier to see who you are. But ppl complaining about the flag being taken off from flying on govt buildings aren’t making sense.. you say it’s your history. That’s fine that’s what museums are for. But WHY would a flag of rebellion against the US fly on a US building? Makes no sense sit down please
Matt this flag like the war meant a lot of things to a lot of people over the years. Some of it was pride, some of it was hate and some of it was just pure hell raising.
I fully agree with taking it off the capital as it was put there buy the Democrats who opposed the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s. Better known as Dixiecates these folks were just full of hate. The reason they put the flag up was just wrong and evil.
Now on the other hand many people have used the flag to identify they were southern and damn proud of it. The south is an area full of proud people and they will stick up for themselves and the flag has often represented that. the vast majority are not anymore racist than people anywhere else in this country. The fact is we have racist in all stated of all races and color but they are a small minority of late. The black community has their own segment of racist too so no one is exempt. here.
The fact is if you have not spent time down south or are from there most people do not understand where much of this is coming from. While the Civil War foundation was based on Slavery many other factors came in as the war was fought and concluded.
In many civil wars most societies vanquish the losers by death, We saw that in Russia, France and many other areas. Here in the states them mending was done on a lesser scale where there were still hard feeling with many for years. Most of that has gone away and while it was painful it could have also lead to many more deaths black and white in a war that already had killed more than all the other American wars put together.
The fact is you are not going to erase the Civil War and you should not erase it in the first place. It needs to be learned and taught what all happened and just what all went on. Some died for slavery but many also died for many other reasons. We need to know this, remember this and never repeat it. As it is now this country is becoming more divided and less tolerant than it was back then and no good will ever come of that.
I hate to say it but we are looking at some tough times and some horrid things that are going to happen. We have been lucky but also lazy and now many will exploit our mistakes for their own gain.
Generally the guy with the rebel flag in his truck is the least of our worries today.
“The fact is you are not going to erase the Civil War and you should not erase it in the first place.”
Great lecture. The problem is this isn’t about the Civil War. It’s about a flag that a majority believes is racially insensitive to blacks. And has already been taken down by Republicans.
Cry me a river.
You and them are not the only ones offended and not the last.
Now don’t you think we have a lot more things creating racial tention than just a flag.
Too bad people like you are not as offended a the break down of the families in this country. Kids today are turning back to drugs and gangs for a sense of belonging. Daily how many die in just Chicago alone but yet you just wan to be offended by a flag.
The flag only has power if you give it the power. How many years most people never even noticed it or cared. Today I see it on many trucks and houses right or wrong and you have just empowered it that much more.
You seem to keep missing that a majority of Americans disagree with you. Including Republican leaders. And so that only leaves that racist TeaPartyLooniecans like yourself to cry your whiny rivers.
Maybe in LA but you need to be in the rest of the country. The people who live away from Salt Water are the ones who have the Common Sense.
The first thing I can see Is you really do not understand the south and you have no ability to speak with out trying to be PC. You are programed by the Salon web site.
FYI I am not a Tea Partier. I just believe in the constitution as it was written and I feel people as your self have no understanding of the south and the pride people have of where they are from.
I have spent enough time in California to understand why it is so screwed up.
If ISIS is so important to you then why don’t you fix San Ysidro. God the times I went through there to TJ and never were checked for what I was carrying. I was legal but it makes me wonder about those who were not.
if Obama was not in the white house this issue would have never come up. it is strike while the iron is hot and take advantage and never let a crises go to waste.
Kinda hard to take someone seriously who believes slavery was a salvation for Africans who’d otherwise be starving to death or dying of Aids in Africa.
NAN needs to blow it out their B-Hole,