Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
You decide! Is this a "Confederate Tie"? Lugar says so.
Lugar camp mocks Mourdock's 'Confederate tie', hair dye
4/11/12 11:48 AM EDT
AP photo
INDIANAPOLIS -- A top aide to Sen. *** Lugar is charging that a necktie GOP rival Richard Mourdock frequently sports on the campaign trail carries Confederate symbolism.
In an email to supporters pushing back against an anti-Lugar television advertisement by the National Rifle Association, Lugar political director David Willkie points out that the elk shown in the spot weren't found in the Hoosier State and goes on to take issue with Mourdock's neckwear.
"That's not an Indiana elk... (if so, it would be one of the first wild ones since the Civil War when guys sported Confederate neckties like Richard Mourdock's)," wrote Willkie.
Asked if the line was meant as a throw-away barb or a serious charge, Willkie doubled down on his assertion.
"Whether or not this exact tie is from the Ben Silver Store in Charleston, SC or someplace else, a historian would see that this tie is a take off on the Confederate Battle flag," Willkie said. "Some say that it is not exactly the thing to wear in Indiana, Lincoln's boyhood home and where the popular Indiana National Guard sees its origins directly in the Union Army."
During an interview here, Mourdock, the state treasurer running in the May primary, denied the tie in question (pictured above) includes any Confederate messaging or advocacy and dismissed the allegation as increasing signs of desperation from the Lugar camp.
"I do not own a Confederate necktie. I own two ties that are red with a blue stripe with white stars. I bought them at the Republican state convention," he said. "I don't even know how to respond. I am stunned. If you're running for class president you do something like that. I don't have anything that has a Confederate symbol on it, anything like that. That's lunacy."
In his email responding to a follow-up about the tie, Willkie also lobbed another ostensibly petty charge.
I am the 99%.
Re: You decide! Is this a "Confederate Tie"? Lugar says so.
Is it bad that my first thought was that I bet there are some voters in Indiana who will be turned off by his strong denunciation of Confederate clothing items?
Not to diminish the fine state of Indiana. Because I'd probably make the same comment about any state except for Oregon, Vermont and Hawaii. (But seriously, Indiana "borders" the South, if you ignore that Kentucky never seceeded. Then again, I know of people from southwest Pennsylvania who fly the stars and bars, so...)
40/112
Hasn't IN had a historically important KKK presence?
I don't know, but if I wore ties, I think I would pass on this on. I can certainly see who one would get that vibe.
I love D*ck Lugar... that is all.
(one of my husband's best friends works for him)
RE: Indiana and the KKK - I believe the KKK had a significant presence in Indiana for quite awhile in various areas, but I do know that one area that had this huge racist reputation because of the murder of an AA woman turned out to not have anything to do with the area. Seriously, this town was labeled as some bastion of racist rednecks and the KKK - I remember hearing that growing up. In 2002, more evidence was discovered and it turned out the murderer(s) were from out of town and passing through.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinsville,_Indiana#Carol_Jenkins_Murder
I know there are rural/racist areas, but for the most part, I do not think Indiana is really comparable to any of the southern states. It does not have the connection to the "stars and bars" that you would see in a former state of the Confederacy.
Dude, yes, it's a little stars and barsy but it's also a little american flaggy, too.
big whoo
Click me, click me!
We live quite close to Martinsville and it does have that reputation for sure. There are racists around here but it's not on a grand scale. I would say it's typical for most midwestern states.
As far as the primary goes I think Lugar will win but it will be close. I know a lot of Dems (like myself) in my area who usually vote in the R primary (because there aren't a lot of Dem candidates) so I think with that it will swing D*ck's way.
Hehe swinging d*cks. I'm a 12 year-old.
LOL @ swinging D*cks.
I like D*ck Lugar, for real, though. He's a nice guy, who is mostly moderate and reasonable. I've already told my mom I'm disowning her if she votes for the other guy. I think the state is moderate enough - and there are enough Dems who would prefer him over the other guy - that he will win the primary, but I agree, it will be close.
I hate guys like Wilkie, what a little ***.
But whoa, that is one fugly tie. A brown suit jacket, a blue shirt and a red tie with blue stars? Who dresses this guy?!
Now I sound like Wilkie.