Ben
Jones is a former two-term Democratic congressman from Georgia. He is
perhaps best known for his portrayal of Cooter on "The Dukes of
Hazzard." He serves as the volunteer national spokesman for The Sons of
Confederate Veterans.(Photo: Molly Riley, AP)
A case before the Supreme Court has again brought the issue of the Confederate battle flag onto the public radar screen. At issue is whether a state-issued specialty license plate is an expression by the state government or by the individual who purchases it, and therefore protected by the First Amendment.
Many legal experts believe the court will uphold the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the Texas Sons of Confederate Veterans to allow a specialty license plate that honors the heritage of those tens of millions of Americans whose ancestors fought for the Southern cause 150 years ago.
As long as the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is in the business of specialty license plates for non-profit organizations, it is also in the business of state-supported "bumper stickers."
Discriminating against an honored heritage group such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans is an obvious infringement on the right of free speech, the most basic of the guarantees that anchor our great Bill of Rights.
More @ USA Today
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