Huckleberries Online

KootCon: Confederate Flag Not Racist

Posted by DFO

Aug. 31, 2010 8:21 a.m. • 78 comments

Kootenai Conservative: All my relatives on my father’s side are from the South, and they would tell you it would be a grave mistake to interpret a display of the Confederate flag as a gesture of racism or sympathy with slavery. It’s a symbol of Southern pride that those of us from the North or West can have trouble understanding because there’s nothing analogous to it in our own regional cultures. A lot of people in Texas fly Texas flags for the same reason.

Question: Do you consider the display of a confederate flag to be a racist statement?

78 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

nic on August 31 at 8:24 a.m.
Yes. If you want to show southern pride, fly the flag of your home state.
stacyp on August 31 at 8:25 a.m.
Yes.
Cindy_H on August 31 at 8:32 a.m.
Don’t know.
Does flying a pirate flag make you a pirate? Cuz if so, we’ve got pirates living across the street.
I understand the Confederate flag means different things to different people. But I’m drinking coffee from my dad’s favorite mug. It has a Confederate flag on it and says, “American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.”
My dad was from Arkansas and was the sweetest most loving man I’ve ever known. I like drinking coffee from his cup. Hope that doesn’t make me a racist.
Smacky on August 31 at 8:38 a.m.
It seems that the same people who get their panties in a bunch over seeing a Mexican flag fly are those that see no issue with flying a confederate (actually, battle flag of Alabama) flag. I don’t understand flying either one, personally.
moscow_minidoka on August 31 at 8:38 a.m.
If you feel nostalgic pride for the enslavement of millions of people, by all means, fly your Confederate flag (the flag of a traitorous group, mind you).

Do children who lived in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s feel nostalgic for their childhood and proudly display the flag of the Third Reich on the back of their pickup?

Most blacks in this country feel the same way about the Confederate flag as Jews do about the Swastika, and I cannot say I blame them.

Unless you’re absolutely ignorant and/or proud to be racist, put the Confederate flag in a closet, where it belongs.Or keep it flying proudly, so I know I need not bother to engage with you.
tjh on August 31 at 8:42 a.m.
If not racist, it is clueless insensitivity. The flag-flier needs to own up to one or the other.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 8:58 a.m.
Cindy, I have your back.

It seems with all the trouble our nation faces, trying to divide people by race is inconceivable.

To me, racism is akin to “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.
I think gay people should serve, and only if there is a reported problem should there be any inquiry. If there is a problem, then deal with that. Don’t try to intervene pre-emptivly.

If someone’s racist beliefs are causing harm, then deal with it.
Cindy’s mug does not affect me.
JamesBond on August 31 at 8:58 a.m.
I think it means different things to different people. It certainly can be used as a symbol of racism, but also perhaps for state sovereignty or a love of the South, etc. I am not a fan of the flag. I do, however, fly the Gadsden flag (yellow with the curled snake), which I understand has been used as a symbol of being anti-government. I just think it looks cool, and I am a fan of the whole “Revolutionary War” thing, so I like it.
Wes on August 31 at 9:00 a.m.
Yes.
ejs on August 31 at 9:03 a.m.
The flag alone, as it is, was originally designed I don’t see it as racist. However it “seems” that many who fly it tend to have leanings towards its syblism as it stood towards the end of the war.
As I understood it, a condition of the surrender was the relinqushing of the flag. Assuming that’s correct, why would any state be allowed to fly that flag, officially that is.
poolman on August 31 at 9:22 a.m.
How about the 20 something kid, born and raised in North Idaho, that gets a a 3” x 5” confederate flag tatooed on his arm? I would like to know what that means - really.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 9:28 a.m.
Poolman, when I was in junior high back in the early 60’s, I wore an Iron Cross, and other kids had Swastika jewelry.

Why did we do it? I don’t really think you are that clueless.

My dad never said one word, which probably helped that fad run it’s course more quickly.
nic on August 31 at 9:32 a.m.
“I wore an Iron Cross, and other kids had Swastika jewelry. Why did we do it? I don’t really think you are that clueless.”

Well… considering some of the comments that you’ve left here…
BobEly on August 31 at 9:34 a.m.
How many southern blacks fly the Confederate flag as a symbol of “southern pride”?
poolman on August 31 at 9:38 a.m.
Gary - My suspision is that this kid is a skin-head. But maybe he is just a complete idiot and thinks buzzing his head and getting that sort of thing inked on is cool. I’d like to see him walk down any Martin Luther King JR Blvd wearing his t-shirt with the sleeves cut off and see what kind of reaction he got.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 9:38 a.m.
nic

I’m sorry that you have a reflexive need to try to prove me wrong. But I don’t care what you say.

Try to open YOUR heart to the light, brother.

Peace
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 9:41 a.m.
Pool, I think the desire to belong is a human need.

I wish more people could find better ways to fit in, but as long as they deprive no one else of any right, they are free to do as they please, for now.
nic on August 31 at 9:45 a.m.
I’m not trying to prove you wrong. Just trying to highlight why people might think you are a certain way.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 9:47 a.m.
nic, why don’t you tell me what kind of man I am?
nic on August 31 at 9:50 a.m.
I don’t know what kind of man you are. However, I do think that the words you write portray a man that is vastly different than who you really are.

You want to know why certain people have a negative opinion of you? Just trying to help you out.
moscow_minidoka on August 31 at 9:55 a.m.
“nic, why don’t you tell me what kind of man I am?”

Birther, paranoid believer in conspiracy theories, follower of idiotic talk-show hosts, likes to play dodge-the-question when his illogical claims are challenged, but seems to have a sincere faith and is probably a pretty decent guy to have a beer with if you can steer him away from political topics.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 9:58 a.m.
Moscow

I’m just a seeker of the truth, but thanks for the kind words overall.

I’d love to have a beer with you too, brother.
BethB on August 31 at 10:00 a.m.
I agree with ejs - I don’t think it was intended to symbolize racism, but at this point, and more often than not, that’s the message the bearer would convey. I don’t think I’d display one, even if I were from the South, because of the message it connotes.

Here’s an interesting article - about the journey of two Muslims and two CNN reporters - “30 Days, 30 Mosques” - traveling during Ramadan - where the Confederate flag plays a role:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/30/ramadan.roadtrip/index.html
Katrina on August 31 at 10:01 a.m.
The Georgia state flag actually incorporates the design of the confederate flag. (http://www.geckosgeorgia.com/images/georgia-flag-1956-2001.jpg)

Growing up in Georgia, I saw the confederate flag displayed by both proud and innocent southerners and ignorant redneck racists. Down there, we recognized racists mostly by their words and actions. Up here, I can’t speak for the motivations of all those who embrace the flag, but I personally wouldn’t display it because of the associations it clearly holds. (Also, I would describe my decorating style as more “Tuscan garden” than “southern pride”. That bright red would totally clash.) Sometimes symbols are appropriated and their meanings are changed, and, unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to control that. For example, it doesn’t matter very much that the swastika was traditionally a sacred symbol in Hinduism; that’s not what it stands for in today’s world.

Cindy—I think I’ve seen that mug. That’s also a popular sentiment on bumper stickers and t-shirts where I’m from. :) (Well, that and our town motto: “Everybody’s Somebody in Snellville!”)
Voltron on August 31 at 10:02 a.m.
I am always wondering about the people who display the confederate flag — are they endorsing a return to slavery? Are they endorsing a failed attempt to destroy the United States of America? Are they racists? Are they people who just don’t think?

I guess nobody has the answers to those questions except the people who fly the Confederate Flag. And who wants to admit their true beliefs and motives to anyone questioning them?

To me, the Confederate Flag is a symbol of many things — none of them very good. It represents slavery and seccession. It has been adopted by hate groups who view people of color as sub-human and not deserving of basic civil rights.

People who fly this flag in the name of “Southern Pride” are extremely insensitive to what the flag means to Blacks — not to mention unpatriotic given that the South broke away from the United States — sparking the Civil War.

In my life, I have met very few racists who consider themselves to be racists regardless of whether they own a confederate flag or not.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 10:14 a.m.
Voltron, in this country you still have a right to your own opinion and property.

<<people who=”” fly=”” this=”” flag=”” in=”” the=”” name=”” of=”” “southern=”” pride”=”” are=”” extremely=”” insensitive=”” to=”” what=”” the=”” flag=”” means=”” to=”“ blacks=”“>>

Are you just as willing to substitute Mosque, and insensitivity concerning 9/11?
Tobias on August 31 at 10:18 a.m.
Is displaying the Confederate Flag a racist statement?

Depends on who is holding the flagpole!

Some well meaning but historically clueless people automatically say “Klan”, but as history plainly shows, when the 500,000 - 1,000,000 fully robed Klan march took place in DC up Pennsylvania Ave to the US Capitol, the only banner they flew was the United States Flag.

In fact, the Klan officially adopted the United States flag as it’s official standard in 1866, and they must include it at all rallys, marches, and cross burnings.

This is not to say you will not find a picture of a Klansman holding a Confederate flag, but logically speaking, since a few Klan members began an interest in waving it beginning in the late 1950s, collectively, you will not find near as many hooded hooligans sporting a Confederate Flag in photos as you will of them waving a United States Flag.

Was the display of the Confederate Flag a racist gesture when it was placed on the newly captured Shuri Castle during the Battle of Okinawa in WW2?

Was the display of the Confederate Flag a racist gesture when it was waved along with German Flags at the downfall of the Berlin Wall?

Is it a racist display when our US Troops show the Confederate Flag in theatres of war to include Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan?

Is it racist for sport team fans - from local high schools in America to a professional team in Ireland to have displayed in the stands while cheering on thier beloved Rebels?

Dukes of Hazzard? Matlock? Smokey and the Bandit?

No, any right thinking person can logically agree that the simple display of a Confederate Flag MUST be taken into context, and the overwhelming context of all displays of said flag is benign or regional pride, or simply a stand against a percieved enemy - be it Boss Hog or the Empire of Japan
moscow_minidoka on August 31 at 10:18 a.m.
“Are you just as willing to substitute Mosque, and insensitivity concerning 9/11?”

False analogy. Major fail. Does anyone with more time than me want to explain to GDR why the two are not analogous? Anybody?
Smacky on August 31 at 10:19 a.m.
So building a place of worship in the US for those who practice the Muslim faith is akin to flying a confederate flag????

Is this a jump the shark moment in logic?
idbarrelracer on August 31 at 10:20 a.m.
@ Cindy. I have pirate flags (leftover from a themed-party a few years back & we never got around to taking them down) flying @ my house and I’m not a pirate. The thought of losing an eye & having a wooden leg in order to qualify kind of turns me off.

(My christmas lights remain on the front porch all year long too… perhaps that makes me one of Santa’s elves?)
Smacky on August 31 at 10:21 a.m.
Yep MM, every time i see another jewish center go up I have to avert my eyes cuz it is insensitive to Christians.
Sisyphus on August 31 at 10:24 a.m.
The crucial inquiry is context and Bob Ely’s question nails it. Of course, every one is ‘free’ to fly the flag. And everyone else is ‘free’ to judge them on the time and the place they do so.

I don’t know any black people in whom the Confederate flag evokes a sense of honor, duty or grace. Instead its a symbol of oppression and represents the desire to legally continue the institution of slavery, whether for patronizing reasons or divine inspiration, in the face of overwhelming moral and ethical condemnation. In the age when Apartheid voluntarily crumbled its yet another example of ‘regressive as the new progressive.’
Soaf on August 31 at 10:25 a.m.
Is this a jump the shark moment in logic? — Smacky

Using “Logic” And “GDR” in the same sentence is pretty near impossible.
Voltron on August 31 at 10:26 a.m.
Nice strawman Gary.

Sure you’re allowed to think and say pretty much anything you want. If people want to be racists or use racists symbols in the name of freedom — fine — but don’t expect to be embraced by people who love this country and the freedom it provides you.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 10:30 a.m.
Rhodesian logic, as Sis would say.

To some, the Confederate Battle Flag is a symbol of oppression.

Those whom desire a world-wide Caliphate and Sharia Law, are equally seen as oppressive.
Ask the women or homosexuals in these muslim lands if they agree.
Voltron on August 31 at 10:42 a.m.
GDR -

I find it interesting that you’re twisting a discussion about the confederate flag and whether it is racist into a discussion about the merits of a religion.

.
Cindy_H on August 31 at 10:47 a.m.
@MKS: We’re neighbors!! Wow small world :-)
Smacky on August 31 at 10:53 a.m.
That’s where it always leads for GDR. Freedom to him means dictating the religion of another country, wearing a swastika and flying a confederate flag, but NOT building a muslim community center in NYC.
Kage_Mann on August 31 at 11:10 a.m.
“It’s a symbol of Southern pride”.

Ok, so it is a symbol of pride in the south and has nothing to do with racism, according to KootCon. Yet, if they fly the flag in the
north, wouldn’t you surmise racism?
toadman on August 31 at 11:17 a.m.
In the south, where I grew up, the confederate flag meant only one thing: White pride and superiority. Surmise what you will.
Tobias on August 31 at 11:18 a.m.
Sisyphus said “I don’t know any black people in whom the Confederate flag evokes a sense of honor, duty or grace”

Well allow me to introduce you to such persons

Former NAACP Chapter President HK Edgerton
www.southernheritage411.com

and also

Stanley K Lott Homepage
http://www.millersservices.com/lott/lott.htm
Smacky on August 31 at 11:39 a.m.
Tobias, do you know that Stanley K Lott is known for slandering our nation’s president, Abraham Lincoln? This man is a mental case.
jreighley on August 31 at 11:40 a.m.
I think we oversimplify the civil war. I am not sure it was a just or right war.

The North did not fight the war to free the slaves. It fought the war to keep the country together. It used emancipation as an weapon against the south, but that was motivated by military strategy, not love for the people.

I agree with the words of MLK Jr. “no lie can live forever.” and “truth crushed to earth will rise again.” If the civil war had not happened, morality would have prevailed in the end. Not many people have this hope today, but it was prevalent in early America. Ironically this faith in the inevitability of the victory of truth was abandoned the civil war came along and crushed the people’s hope.. Technology was making slavery an institution that was quickly becoming economically inefficient.

In the end 612,000 people died, and the former slaves where used as political cannon fodder — making them a symbol of the Republican oppression of the south.. While racism may have been present before the war, it was exasperated and codified in the reconstruction. The man who used to be your servant that you supported and built up became the enemy that you neglected and tore down.. — For political reasons more for any other reason. After the war, for 100 years the African American population was impoverished and persecuted.

I am not confident that comparatively more oppressive history would emerged if the war had not taken place.

I suspect a lot of the folks flying the flag just are expressing a love for independence of federal control — But due to the long oppressive history and the revisionism through simplification, the flag has taken on a different meaning.
Kage_Mann on August 31 at 11:48 a.m.
I see Smacky, is working Google hard today. ;-)
Smacky on August 31 at 11:54 a.m.
Yep, some people get their information on their own and some people regurgitate talking points. I prefer the former.
Soaf on August 31 at 11:59 a.m.
The Confederate Flag is nothing more than a phallic symbol for the white trash that got genetically short change in life by procreating with family members and/or farm animals.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 12:14 p.m.
JR

I’m with you concerning the “Civil” War.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/12/ron_paul_american_civil_war_was_unnecessary.php
Kage_Mann on August 31 at 12:21 p.m.
“some people regurgitate talking points”.

That’s one of the most disingenuous statements around.
Smacky on August 31 at 12:26 p.m.
How so Kage? People of both political persuasions are guilty of it. It’s part of the problem with the current state of dialogue in this country: if one doesn’t own the thought, one isn’t able to properly support it and they resort to name calling.
TheContrarian on August 31 at 12:33 p.m.
“The North did not fight the war to free the slaves. It fought the war to keep the country together.”
The reason the country wasn’t “together” anymore is because the South wanted to hold on to their “peculiar institution,” and they seceded after Lincoln’s election in fear that he would abolish their oppressive system.
Voltron on August 31 at 12:51 p.m.
Gary and Kage represent the twin towers of dumbness and the rest of us are at ground zero.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 1:01 p.m.
Smacky, I’m with you all the way.<< It’s part of the problem with the current state of dialogue in this country: if one doesn’t own the thought, one isn’t able to properly support it and they resort to name calling.>>

We should all learn to be more tolerant of diverse viewpoints.
Voltron on August 31 at 1:09 p.m.
I can’t believe it. Gary is now of the mind that building a mosque at the Ground Zero is an expression of tolerant and diverse viewpoints.
kamm on August 31 at 1:13 p.m.
Yes, it’s perceived as racist and if that is not the intent, the owner is insensitive to the concerns of others.
I’m sure if an African-American displayed a Black Power flag with the black fist in the middle of it, there would be a display of outrage by the same people who see nothing inappropriate with their rebel flag.
hhuseland on August 31 at 1:17 p.m.
No. There were far more issues in the confederacy than slavery. The industrial north had little in common with the agricultura; south. The union was young then and loyalties were more toward that state or former colony than the federal government. You simply cannot apply 21st century stadards to th 18th century If one is to avoid knee-jerk reactions, please recall that slavery had little or no bearing on the beging of the civil war. The 1st and 2nd emancipation proclamations were not issued until the war was well under way.
hhuseland on August 31 at 1:18 p.m.
Now there is a great example of why preview is available, if you use it.
kamm on August 31 at 1:21 p.m.
Wow, I just realized how long this thread is and I couldn’t find anyone blaming Pres Obama or his administration for this!
Sisyphus on August 31 at 1:25 p.m.
“We should all learn to be more tolerant of diverse viewpoints.”—certainly not when they’re based upon faulty information. Its one time tolerance is an anathema, like tolerating the intolerant. For example, the new Newsweek poll finds a majority of Republicans believe that President Barack Obama “sympathizes with the goals of Islamic fundamentalists who want to impose Islamic law around the world.” That’s just crazy. You guys repeat something often enough and it becomes true for you. I’ll stick with facts.

Tobi—I should have said “reasonable” blacks.
Sisyphus on August 31 at 1:27 p.m.
LOL kamm. I screwed that up.
kamm on August 31 at 1:35 p.m.
Sisyphus, you’re still OK. You didn’t blame him for the content of this thread.
Sisyphus on August 31 at 1:39 p.m.
” please recall that slavery had little or no bearing on the beging of the civil war.”—LOL Herb. I know you were there and all and its a testament to your longevity that you’ve gone this far before finally losing your marbles. The union successfully avoided the civil war over slavery at least a half dozen times before Lincoln was elected. Now you can make an argument that the election of Lincoln precipitated the civil war, but there can be no argument that continuing the institution of slavery was the significant focal point and had been for generations. before 1861. It was even an argument in the Constitutional Convention and it did not abate until we had it out. You gussy it up as a war between the states, or academic arguments over centralized government, but it was always slavery that brought those arguments to the fore.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 1:58 p.m.
Sis, Part of the War of Succession, hinged on slavery.

Right or wrong, these humans were property. If the federal government wanted to take away that property, then they should have bought that property at market rates, and then freed them.

A good argument can be made that the states agreed to “unite”, therefore, they should be free to succeed.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 2:03 p.m.
That’s cessation, sorry. : (
Voltron on August 31 at 2:13 p.m.
Gary Rhodes should be saying sorry for this, “Right or wrong, these humans were property. If the federal government wanted to take away that property, then they should have bought that property at market rates, and then freed them.”

Slavery is wrong. It is evil. Why in the world would the federal government reward slavery?

This has to be one of the most backwards piece of reasoning I have seen in some time. To quote Tommy Boy, “Did you eat paint chips as a kid?
Sisyphus on August 31 at 2:15 p.m.
I think you mean “secession”. You certainly are a puzzle of contradictions. In just the past few days you were talking about the sanctity of the founding documents, how “all men are created equal” and no government can deprive of us rights derived from God. Well how do you reckon a man can become property without being deprived of his liberty? Please discuss on any level, moral, ethical, legal, religious or political.
Smacky on August 31 at 2:16 p.m.
GDR. You realize you actually posted that african americans are property? I thought you posted earlier that we were granted natural rights. Was that limited to whites? And, you realize that the north did offer money, right?

I’m sorry GDR, that statement is the most racist post I have yet to read. Really, really sad.
stacyp on August 31 at 2:20 p.m.
Disgusting, Gary.
sue on August 31 at 2:20 p.m.
I can’t believe you actually put that thought in print GDR. Right or wrong? Are you proposing it was right, because that’s what it sounds like if you think those poor cotton farmers should be compensated for stealing other peoples lives, families, cultures from them. The slaves should be compensated, don’t you think their life is their own property. Shameful. And the civil war was about many things including states rights,and that issue was resolved.
fortboise on August 31 at 3:32 p.m.
GDR, seriously? The federal government should have bought “that property” before or after the South lost the war it started?

You just jumped a whole SCHOOL of sharks, man. Great White sharks.

“That property” you refer to were HUMAN BEINGS, which, if you have any respect for the ideal expressed in our founding documents WERE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH UNALIENABLE RIGHTS.

The fact that said founders hadn’t got the memo about black people being human too is not a defense for your opinion.
Gary D Rhodes on August 31 at 3:48 p.m.
Sis, thanks for the spelling help, brother. I need all the help I kan git!

Sometimes you’re stuck the hand you are dealt. Slavery was absolutely wrong and against God’s plan for individual liberty. But
If the question can be framed slightly differently; what are 600,000 deaths worth.
jreighley on August 31 at 5:04 p.m.
It is easy to make villains out of dead people.

Someday we will all be ignorant idiots in history as well..

I think it is better to understand the culture and see how they interacted in it, and reformed within it. books.google.com has lots of free resources if you want to see the world through old dead folk’s eyes who where by and large a lot smarter than us.

I have found that most of the books I have found from the 17 and 1800’s are not full of ignorant hatred at all.. There may be exceptions. It is better to see it from the horse’s mouth than to take 150 years worth of revisionism’s word for it.
Stickman on August 31 at 5:55 p.m.
No.
nic on August 31 at 6:21 p.m.
“Right or wrong, these humans were property.” GDR @ 1:58 p.m.

Self contradiction… ahem… I mean, back pedaling in 2 and a half hours:

“Slavery was absolutely wrong” GDR @ 3:48 p.m.
TheContrarian on August 31 at 6:22 p.m.
I fail to understand how its “ignorant hatred,” for pointing out the simple fact that the underlying reason for the South’s secession was to preserve the institution of slavery. Now there were other reasons why the South had animosity towards the North, I don’t think anybody would disagree with that, but the main reason why the South seceded was over slavery. The South threatened secession several times over this issue, Andrew Jackson narrowly escaped this prospect. It had finally reached a boiling point when Lincoln was elected.
nic on August 31 at 6:24 p.m.
“Slavery was absolutely wrong and against God’s plan for individual liberty.”

God’s plan is for individual liberty? Really? You got any biblical support for that? Or are you just making stuff up?
nic on August 31 at 6:29 p.m.
And don’t forget the Alamo… the Texan revolution was waged because the nation of Mexico (the people that owned Texas at the time) outlawed slavery. But Texans (feeling some camaraderie with the southern US states) wanted to keep their slaves. Therefore - Texas decided to become an independent nation.

Slave were motivation for many conflicts. None better represented than b;y the confederate flag.
TheContrarian on August 31 at 7:00 p.m.
Good point, nic. During the Polk Presidency (Jackson’s protege), he faced opposition from the south when annexing not just Texas but gaining the territories that now compromise California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc.
Mr_Bloggy on August 31 at 7:45 p.m.
I despise the rebel flag and must admit I cannot top Soaf’s excellent comment at 11:59am. However, there is only one exception to my near universal disregard and derision for buzz cut yahoos driving pickups with confederate flags in their windows and that was when Lynyrd Skynyrd hung a big ole confederate flag behind them during concerts back in the 70s. We know they weren’t racist h*trs just hard rockin’ southern boys who loved the blues and the rock and roll. Them boys INVENTED southern rock and blew the doors off Flyover America with their triple guitar hard chugging rock and roll.

Other than that, displaying one should be a Federal Felony Hate Crime. Unless you’re a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band. Then it’s cool, son.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.