NPR Goes Into Concerned Hysterics Over Florida Placing the Gadsden Flag on License Plates – Opinion

Historical records are not to be believed, but there must be hate with the centuries-old flag that represents libertarian freedom from oppression.

Being able to observe journalists in their emotional states is one of the most hilarious aspects of media coverage. You can usually see it coming in the form of some overexcited yet underdeveloped pique of fervency over a topic — when you can practically see the smoke rising off of their keyboard after a flourish of lexicon delivery. The conflict between facts and emotions is what usually ends these writers’ writing histrionics.

Mike Miller described how the media reacted to the announcement by Florida of a new license plate. And the indolent thinking goes on. This particular version comes from Scott Neuman, at National Public Radio, and he falls prey to a common malady infecting the press at nearly outbreak levels – DeSantis Delusion Complex. A social media posting by the governor was the point of infection. The symptom is obvious opposition to his actions and a lack of a practical approach. Because Governor Ron stated something, a journalist should correct him.

Florida lawmakers passed legislation that would allow citizens to pick a license plate featuring the Gadsden Flag, a symbol of liberty and independence. Neuman is not slow to display his passionate opposition.

Florida governor. Ron DeSantis has recently tweeted an image of what he said was a new state license plate featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the words “Don’t Tread on Me,” he said it sends a “clear message to out-of-state cars.”

It’s a disgusting thing. What is the point of allowing such a man to run a country with this attitude? Neuman, however, manages to obscure the fact that the plates have been offered for veterans’ groups.

Neuman claims that DeSantis is at fault for embracing the symbol. But, early on, Neuman shows us the conflicts roiling in his mind. Neuman’s contemporary understanding of the flag being a symbol that hates and intolerance does not reflect its historical reality. It is almost impossible to imagine the tension that he experienced while attempting to resolve this conflict.

The imagery of the Revolutionary War-era Gadsden flag dates to Benjamin Franklin but has, for many, come to symbolize a far-right extremist ideology and the “Stop the Steal” movement that sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Many in the press resort this to infantillism. Two and a quarter centuries worth of messages have been erased by some sloppy mooks who left the flag in The Rotunda on Jan 6. A second overlooked detail is that these plates have been offered to residents for many years, as Neuman did allude to in a few other states.

Neuman then finds an “expert” to back his attempt at revisionist history, a spokesperson from the Sothern Poverty Law Center who declares the flag has been seen during some causes which were “really awful.” Ah, so some 250 years of symbolism have been completely eclipsed by things they do not like that occurred in the last couple of years.

The fun part of the story is now. Neuman gets credit first. At least he sought other voices to provide historical context. But then he resorts to focusing on more contemporary influences of the flag’s true meaning, in his estimation.

The Tea Party movement…adopted the banner in 2010 as a sort of catch-all symbol of disgust with government. The banner has become an emblem for individuals and groups that oppose government.

Ah Ha! Here it is! Gadsden’s flag is problematic and offensive because it represents anti-government sentiments. It also symbolizes the threat posed by any person who challenges our elected leaders. This is precisely why it is completely wrong for these license plates to be offered up for the residents…uh…by…by the government. Oops, Scott.

This article also contains a paradox. Neuman might have a problem with the governor who offers this choice. But, isn’t he also joining forces with the vile people opposing government? It can be very confusing. The main issue with this whole thing was maybe the flying off-the-handle and the long columns of outrage over license plates.

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