One thing about NPR is they never mind being late to a story. As Twitchy reported last week, a report from a TV station in Florida said that the state’s new Gadsden flag license plates — the proceeds of which go to veterans’ groups — had “stirred controversy.” To prove it, the reporter cited two tweets, both of which were more against Gov. Ron DeSantis than the plates. People from other states, like Virginia and Tennessee, posted photos of their Gasden flag license plates, which have been around for years without comment.
Now NPR has tracked down some “critics” who say the flag symbolizes “a dangerous far-right extremist ideology.” Keep in mind, these are likely the same people who find the American flag “disturbing.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis said a new Florida license plate featuring the Revolutionary War-era Gadsden flag sends a "clear message to out-of-state cars." Critics say it symbolizes a dangerous far-right extremist ideology.https://t.co/7rU6zTwj9p
— NPR (@NPR) August 11, 2022
All right, which critics? Oh, hey, the Southern Poverty Law Center, which NPR has on speed-dial.
“The state can’t claim a lack of knowledge about what this image represents to most of the public,” says Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research and analysis for the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
She says it’s become clear that the flag has been used for some “really awful” causes, most notably the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, where violent protesters attacked police as part of an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
…
Then came the Tea Party movement, which adopted the banner in 2010 as a sort of catch-all symbol of disgust with government. Since then, it has gone on to become a symbol for anti-government groups and individuals.
NPR refused to cover the Hunter Biden story because it said it wasn't newsworthy. Here they are up in arms over a license plate. https://t.co/IjuhLkMYws
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) August 11, 2022
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Also we’ve had a similar plate in Virginia for years
— (((Aaron Walker))) (@AaronWorthing) August 11, 2022
I think it's badass. 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/Qah6H7G2ak
— Aaron (@GenX_audiophile) August 11, 2022
We have Gadsden flag plates in Montana. I have one and it's badass.
— Bistromath (@wilmerflaxpin) August 11, 2022
We're going to need to defund so many corrupt government agencies. I nearly forgot about NPR.
— Melvin W Pierce (@MelvinWPierce1) August 11, 2022
"critics say…"
— Keith Maniac, from Guatemala (@from_maniac) August 11, 2022
We are dealing with a far left radical ideology. The Gadsden flag has been around as a symbol against tyranny for centuries
They are only offended if they are tyrants
— The ULTRA Craftsman ✝️🇺🇸👑 (@LeatherJoseph) August 11, 2022
Great. Now I’ll have to hear about “racist license plates” from my mom for a week.
— BunnyToes (@DrBunnyMD) August 11, 2022
I think the critics are stupid idiots. Print that @NPR
— Chad West (@Chad_WestReal) August 11, 2022
Critics also say the OK hand gesture and a cartoon frog are white power symbols pic.twitter.com/EiN4z0M6fG
— Big Ed Florida Man (@Falconeddie1) August 11, 2022
We wear this flag on our left arm in the US Navy Working Uniform III. Are you calling the members of the US Navy far-right extremist for wearing it too?
— Glenn (@Glenn0201) August 11, 2022
Most folks don’t know the naval history associated with the Gadsden flag. Even people from around here, who should know better because we are taught it in school, seem to have forgotten.
— Don Drennon (@dondrennon) August 11, 2022
I’m sorry this is happening to you.
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) August 11, 2022
Whenever journalists resort to “critics say,” they mean “give me a minute to find someone who agrees with me so I can quote them.”
Related:
Florida’s ‘vile’ new ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ license plate ‘stirs controversy,’ media says https://t.co/dpq5OiPcWW
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 4, 2022
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