Hi George.

The Mississippi Flag referendum has now been set for April 17, 2001. As a Mississippian I am predicting that the old flag (the one with the Confederate Battle Flag in the corner) will be supported and Mississippi will enter a new (new?) era of pariah status. The supporters of the old flag are much more organized than the opponents (or supporters of the new flag). Given that the referendum will be held in the middle of April without any other issue or elected position on the ballot, there is likely only going to be a small turnout -- which will benefit the supporters of the old flag. For a couple of websites on the flag, I would go to: www.mystateflag.com or www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/ms_flag.htm

Also, it's interesting how the flag issue has become a black v. white thing. Even the local NPR station, Public Radio in Mississippi (PRM) has added to conflagration. When discussing the issue, they almost always end with something like, "the debate over the flag has become an issue because some black Mississippians believe it is racist and symbolic of slavery ..." This despite ample evidence of many white Mississippians speaking out against the flag at public hearings as well as in letters to the editor and other public venues. For a taste of the debate in the editorial pages of Mississippi's state wide newspaper (The Clarion Ledger), go to: http://www.clarionledger.com/news/views/

The page is changed each day. Have a look.

Matt Dalbey (electronic mail, January 12, 2001).