Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Governor Perdue has embarked upon a no-win situation with this flag issue thing. The hope of "encouraging public debate so that the issues can be resolved" is about as far off target as you can get.

Ever since I moved here almost 16 years ago, it is evident that people are still carrying on and fighting the Civil or "War between the States," as it is referred to.

The various factions that are going to debate up are the predictable extremists on both ends, and the vast majority in the middle just wish that this thing would all go away. What you will end up with is the extremists fighting it out again, this time with the sanction of the governor of Georgia.

If anyone thinks that everyone is going talk in peaceful and respectful tones, make concessions, and then go away happy, think again. It will just wind up like a battlefield of the Civil War, all over again. This time it would be officially sanctioned and hopefully remain as a verbal or written exchange.

No one is going to back down from their strongly held beliefs, and any attempt to come up with a compromise is Sonny's pipe dream. Best thing you can do with this flag issue is keep it folded and put away. Maybe future generations can work it out, but this is too hot an issue for any meaningful resolution.

My own personal opinion is not important here. I just don't relish the sight of salt and vinegar poured over a badly scarred body.

Juan Matute

Peachtree City