Confederate Flag Exhibit Ignites Uproar By STEPHEN MAJORS AP

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1 Page 1 of 6 AOL My AOL Mail Make AOL Your Homepage Search the Web Search News Search Search En Espanol Top News Business News Sports News Entertainment News Weather Elections Government Guide You are here: News» Confederate Flag Exhibit... This IM This Blog This Feeds Directory Updated: :59:52 Confederate Flag Exhibit Ignites Uproar By STEPHEN MAJORS TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 17) - When artist John Sims sees the Confederate flag, he sees "visual terrorism," and a symbol of a racist past. When Robert Hurst sees the flag, he is filled with pride as the descendant of a soldier who fought for the South during the Civil War. Confederate Flag Controversies

Page 2 of 6 Phil Coale, A Confederate flag hung from a noose in a display titled "The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag" has upsets visitors to a museum in Tallahassee, Fla.

2 Page 2 of 6 Phil Coale, A Confederate flag hung from a noose in a display titled "The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag" has upsets visitors to a museum in Tallahassee, Fla. (1 of 5) Do you think the Confederate flag display is offensive? nmlkj Yes nmlkj No What's your opinion of the Confederate flag? nmlkj Positive nmlkj Negative nmlkj Neutral Talk About It: Post Thoughts Their differences have flared into a war of words, catching a local museum in the middle. Hurst walked into the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science this past week and saw an exhibit by Sims, including a Confederate flag hung from a noose on a 13-foot gallows in a display titled "The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag." Hurst asked the museum to remove the display, along with 13 other pieces by Sims. The museum, however, announced Friday it is standing by Sims' work, on display since Feb. 26, because it wants to inspire dialogue in the community about a symbol that engenders a diversity of strong responses. "There's a balance between the nature of the art that we show and the outcome that we seek, which is to promote dialogue and conversation, and have you maybe think of something in a slightly different way," said Chucha Barber, the museum's executive director. Hurst, commander of the local Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter, said Friday he has lost respect for the museum, calling the display of Sims' work "offensive, objectionable and tasteless." Most Popular - Last 24 Hours Pet Food Recall Affects 90 Brands Country Singer Buck Jones Killed in Texas Woman Dies on Flight, Gets Upgraded to First Class Boy Scout Vanishes in North Carolina Park Man Freed by DNA Found Guilty in Slaying "They're alienating a large portion of the population around here," Hurst said. "Maybe they just wanted to cause some controversy." He called Sims an "irrelevant individual" with no artistic talent.

Page 3 of 6 "There are some people who have great talent, and they rely on that talent to be successful. There are others who don't have great talent, and they have to rely on a gimmick," Hurst said.

3 Page 3 of 6 "There are some people who have great talent, and they rely on that talent to be successful. There are others who don't have great talent, and they have to rely on a gimmick," Hurst said. Sims responded that he's about as irrelevant as the Constitution. This is not the first time that Sims and the Sons of Confederate Veterans have sparred. In 2004, Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania drew protests from the group when it displayed the same gallows. Barber said she was not aware of the confrontation in Gettysburg, but said it probably would not have changed her museum's decision. Hurst says he has discussed the possibility of taking legal action against the museum, although he's reluctant to give Sims more publicity. Florida statutes say it's unlawful to "deface, defile or contemptuously abuse" the Confederate flag, but say it's also illegal to prevent the display of the flag "for decorative or patriotic purposes." "I think that we're well within the statute," Barber said. Flags Sell for $17.4 Million Four rare flags from the American Revolution were auctioned in June. Sotheby's, ho / Reuters This Virginia infantry flag, one of four American Revolution flags sold at auction, depicts a beaver gnawing at a palmetto tree. (1 of 5) Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL :41:08 Read Related Blogs and Articles Share This Article: Post to Netscape Post to Digg Add to Del.icio.us Top News Headlines Top News Sports Business Entertainment Bush Affirms Support for Embattled Gonzales Saddam's Former Aide Hanged for Massacre Bush Pleads for Patience in Iraq Conflict More Top News

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PERRIS VALLEY LINE: Rep. Ken Calvert calls decision outrage

1 of 5 Cars Homes Jobs Member Center/Welcome Sign In P-Edition Login Advertise News Local Issues Photos Blogs Obituaries Marketplace Site Map PERRIS VALLEY LINE: Rep. Ken Calvert calls decision outrage