[Vision2020] Thank you for Clarifications

[Art Deco]

One question that comes to mind in issues of historical displays is the
purpose.  Is the display meant to inform/remind  and/or has it the intent
to glorify?

I don't know who Mr. Gilmore is or his motives.

However, given all the historical significances of the Civil War, the
events leading up to it, the aftermath, and the symbolism most of us
associate with the Confederate Flag, I thought the amount of prominence
given to the flag in the display was way, way too much.  To one walking
into the lobby of the courthouse, the display immediately impacts one as a
glorification of the Confederacy.  Its appearance in the most prominent
spot of the courthouse suggests an endorsement by the county government of
the Confederacy like a manger scene would suggest an endorsement of
Christianity.

Most of us would probably have no objection to a small photo or other
representation of the flag in the exhibit, but by the flag's prominent size
and position, it dwarfs everything else in the display, the courthouse
lobby, and the nearby flags of our country and state.

The Civil War was an enormously horrific event.  An objective display might
have emphasized those horrors and their precursors, among them the
transport, sale, inhumane treatment, and use of slaves, in such a way that
we might try to avoid engaging in such events again.

Perhaps this is a teachable moment for the county commissioners:  an exact
description and graphic rendering of what any display would look like is
needed prior to approval especially when the display is the most prominent
visual element upon entering the courthouse lobby.

w.

On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 11:04 AM, Rosemary Huskey <
donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> wrote:

> Dear Susan,****
>
> Thank you for your prompt response and clarification regarding the current
> display in the Courthouse lobby.  I also appreciate your correction
> regarding my use of the term “sole control”  in describing your
> responsibility for management of the displays.  I must have misunderstood
> the information given to me.  Believe me, I do understand how challenging
> it can be to develop interesting displays on a monthly basis.  Saundra Lund
> and I were thrilled with recent display of the Idaho Quilt, and certainly I
> have enjoyed the many, many interesting displays of historic photographs in
> the display case and on the walls of the courthouse.****
>
> ** **
>
> Because of  your long history of service to Latah County you are no
> stranger to a well-informed public who hold strong opinions and singular
> differences in taste and perception.   The Confederate battle flag is, in
> my opinion, a symbol of oppression and human tragedy - a filthy rag
> representing a contemptible government and culture. I cannot imagine that a
> former prisoner who was held in the infamous Andersonville Prison would, or
> indeed could, feel an affection for or desire to be associated with – even
> in a display intending to memorialize his service -  the most notorious
> representation of that monstrous regime. (In that regard, I urge V2020
> readers to watch Dateline<http://moviestildawn.blogspot.com/2012/07/dateline-nbc-finding-bookers-place.html>, Sunday evening “Finding Booker’s Place.”  Life in Greenwood Mississippi,
> 100 years after the Civil War, that is,  in 1964, was not much to celebrate
> for African Americans. )****
>
>                                 ****
>
> On a more positive note, perhaps this V2020 conversation will encourage
> county residents to step up and offer to help with the displays.  It is  a
> terrific platform for county and state history.  Again, my thanks, Susan.*
> ***
>
> ** **
>
> Best wishes,****
>
> Rose Huskey****
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> *From:* Susan Petersen [mailto:spetersen at latah.id.us]
> *Sent:* Friday, July 13, 2012 9:09 AM
> *To:* 'Rosemary Huskey'
> *Cc:* bocc at latah.id.us
> *Subject:* RE: [Vision2020] Moles and Mole Hills****
>
> ** **
>
> Good Morning Rosemary.****
>
> I apologize that I was not here yesterday to receive your phone call and
> your concerns.****
>
> The display case was "a gift from Washington Water Power to the citizens
> of Latah County to Commemorate Idaho's Centennial 1890- 1990, donated by
> the Latah County Centennial Committee, June 1989".****
>
> In the Auditor's Office I am the one that takes the requests and have the
> keys to the Display Case, but I do not consider myself  in "sole" "control"
> of the case.****
>
> When I receive a request for a display my protocol is to bring the request
> to the BOCC and discuss with them if they support that request.  ****
>
> The Commissioners have different ways that they deal with the requests.
> They are very conscientious about the courthouse, all things that have to
> do with county government and including the display case. ****
>
> The request came from Mr. Gilmore, and he represented it was an historical
> display.  The display was approved.****
>
> We regularly rotate the items in the Display case and this one will
> come down at the end of the month.****
>
> Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.****
>
> Also, we always like to hear from our citizens and appreciate your
> comments.****
>
> Susan R. Petersen, Clerk ****
>
> ** **
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Rosemary Huskey [mailto:donaldrose at cpcinternet.com<donaldrose at cpcinternet.com>]
>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 12, 2012 04:28 PM
> *To:* 'Wayne Price'; 'Tom Hansen'
> *Cc:* 'Moscow Vision 2020'; 'Susan Petersen'; 'tstroschein at latah.id.us
> *Subject:* RE: [Vision2020] Moles and Mole Hills****
>
> First a correction.  I incorrectly placed the wrong email addy for Susan
> Petersen.  It should be spetersen at Latah.id.us if you want to get in touch
> with her.****
>
> ** **
>
> Secondly, yes, Wayne there is a remote connection between Andersonville
> Prison and Latah County if a veteran of that experience died here.  In that
> case, do you think if we could resurrect Mr. ????  he would wish to have
> his experience memorialized at the courthouse by a large Confederate flag?
> Somehow I doubt it.  Andersonville <http://www.nps.gov/ande/index.htm> is
> one more blot on the Confederate sorry record. ****
>
> ** **
>
> There is a certain level of sophistication and historical insight – not to
> mention good taste - necessary in preparing displays that are especially
> sensitive in public buildings.  Perhaps a photo of Andersonville Prison, or
> of the rescued prisoners – who looked like twins to the survivors of
> Bergen-Belsen,  Dachau, and Auschwitz would have been appropriate.  How
> would you imagine we should honor the survivors of those camps who might
> live in Idaho or Latah County.  What flag would you display under those
> circumstances?****
>
> ** **
>
> Rose Huskey****
>
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>
> *From:* vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [
> mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com <vision2020-bounces at moscow.com>] *On
> Behalf Of *Wayne Price
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 12, 2012 3:55 PM
> *To:* Tom Hansen
> *Cc:* Moscow Vision 2020; Spettersen at latah.id.us; 'tstroschein at latah.id.us
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Moles and Mole Hills****
>
> ** **
>
> YES, you were up there, I thought you would have read the display.****
>
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>
> He settled after the Civil War in LATAH COUNTY, and is buried in VIOLA,
> which is also in LATAH County, enough of a link?****
>
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> Enough of a link?****
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> On Jul 12, 2012, at 3:44 PM, Tom Hansen wrote:****
>
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>
> Care to explain the link between the Union officer (not from Latah County)
> that was held in the Confederate prison and Latah County?  This would
> certainly explain a conceivable reason for the display in the LATAH COUNTY
> Courthouse.****
>
> ** **
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.****
>
> ** **
>
> Tom Hansen****
>
> Moscow, Idaho****
>
> ** **
>
> "If not us, who?****
>
> If not now, when?"****
>
> ** **
>
> - Unknown****
>
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> On Jul 12, 2012, at 15:31, Wayne Price <bear at moscow.com> wrote:****
>
> Vision 2020 readers.....****
>
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>
> ** **
>
> I've been following this discussion since it started this morning, and
> decided that before I wrote anything, I'd go up and take a look at the
> historic display in question to see for myself what all the fuss is about
> and if it's a substantial issue. I took a look, and it is, in my opinion, a
> tempest in a tea pot!****
>
> ** **
>
> The focus of the display is primarily about a UNION CIVIL WAR officer that
> was captured by the Confederates and held at Andersonville Prison during
> the Civil War! The Confederate flag ****
>
> is, again in my opinion, incidental to the story of someone buried in
> Latah County and is a war veteran. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Much ado about NOTHING ****
>
> ** **
>
> Wayne M. Price****
>
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> On Jul 12, 2012, at 3:17 PM, Sue Hovey wrote:****
>
> ** **
>
> Hi everybody I just talked with Jennifer Barrett. Haven't seen Tom's
> pictures but she thought it was part of a historical display about certain
> battles. She thinks  the Historical Society is responsible for the
> maintenance of the case. If it's a historical display from the 1860s the
> Confederate flag may be perfectly appropriate to the display.
>
> Sent from my iPhone****
>
>
> On Jul 12, 2012, at 2:54 PM, "Rosemary Huskey" <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com>
> wrote:****
>
> Hi guys,****
>
> I called the courthouse – thanks for the photos, Tom.  I spoke to the
> auditor’s office where I had hoped to reach Susan Petersen.  Ms. Petersen,
> who is out of the office is in sole charge of the display case.  No one
> else appears to know who or what group is responsible for the display.  I
> encourage all V2020 subscribers who share our concern about what is clearly
> a celebration of the Confederacy lodge a complaint or query (or, if you are
> a jackass a pat on the back) to Susan at :****
>
> Spettersen at latah.id.us .  I also think a conversation with your country
> commissioner representative is in order.  Unfortunately they are not
> answering their central phone line at the moment. They can be reached:****
>
> Commissioners:****
>
> *Jennifer Barrett*, Chair, *District I*, jbarrett<image001.gif> ****
>
> *Tom Stroschein*, *District II*, tstroschein<image001.gif>
> *Dave McGraw*, *District III*, dmcgraw<image001.gif> ****
>
> If you don’t know your District, send the message to Ms. Barrett.****
>
> Rose Huskey****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [
> mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com <vision2020-bounces at moscow.com>] *On
> Behalf Of *Scott Dredge
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 12, 2012 1:59 PM
> *To:* thansen at moscow.com; viz
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Welcome to Confederate Latah County . . .****
>
>  ****
>
> Tom,
>
> Was there any information regarding this display.  Something like 'Donated
> by [insert church name of your choosing] to commemorate the greatest
> civilization in the history of the world where slaves and their owners
> shared genuine affection for each other and made God smile'?
>
> -Scott****
>
> From: thansen at moscow.com
> Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:17:45 -0700
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] Welcome to Confederate Latah County . . .****
>
>
>  ****
>
>
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow. Tom Hansen Moscow, Idaho "If not us, who? If not
> now, when?" - Unknown
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> ** **
>
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> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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