Tragedy reignites Confederate flag debate: #tellusatoday

On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called for the removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

The removal of the flag is long overdue, but the focus needs to be on tolerance of others and elimination of ignorance.

— @KingxRomo

I think the people of the state of South Carolina are the only ones who should make that decision.

— @michnic70

The issue should be debated civilly, which cannot be done right now in the heat of the moment.

— @scottymastel

The Confederate flag belongs in museums. Treating the symptoms is always part of curing the disease.

— @JeanTanamachi

A nation still holding on to a bloody past cannot chart a brighter future.

— @oneilwc

How do we teach our children not to hate while we "proudly" fly a symbol of hate in public?

— @kparys161

A flag is not the problem. The problem is people who commit acts of violence.

— @cakinder

Letters to the editor:

This morning, the sun rose over South Carolina, as it did over its Statehouse grounds, which still feature the Confederate flag. As to the question of whether they should consider taking that odious emblem out of the picture, if not now then when? People call it state's rights, but history has shown this attitude leads to last rites.

Norman L. Bender; Woodbridge, Conn.

Perhaps the reason so many non-racists defend the Confederate flag is that no alternative symbol exists. I hereby challenge all lovers of Southern graciousness, spirit and music to design a new flag, one that all Americans — not just white Southerners — can admire.

Joan Jacobson; Lakewood, Colo.

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

It's disconcerting how people are reducing the killing of nine wonderful people to a piece of cloth. They can take it down, but it won't solve anything.

— Scott Baran

Some attitudes are emphasized by symbols, such as the Confederate flag. It's a symbol of treason and armed revolt against our nation.

— Stephen Villano

I live in the Charleston, S.C., suburbs. Paste BN's article "Shooting resurrects Charleston's troubled racial history" makes it seem as if Charleston is simmering with racism. I live here, and it's not that way. I live beside and work with all races here. It's a very nice place.

— David Southall

The evil Confederate flag still flying high on the grounds of the South Carolina Capitol only proves that the Civil War never ended for the South.

— Petrus Opswehr

Racial tensions must end. No strong nation can survive if it faces such problems. Tragedies will happen again and again. I hope there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

— Dan Rogers

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.