Mayor questioned about missing Confederate flag

This story is simply not accurate. Susan did not include details that I emphasized in her interview with me, details that change this story significantly--namely:

1. Despite Susan's insinuations, I have no intention of bringing a suit against anyone--I was merely going to look over the suit brought previously to see whether or not the ruling judge had granted some future mayoral administration any wiggle room in having the banner replaced or whether or not the banner was to stay down in perpetuity. If I found that there was some room for the banner to go back up, I was going to ask to meet with Deke again, not attempt to sue the city. (LOL)

2. My brother was first approached by Susan herself about this issue, which was before I'd even had an opportunity to ask him to point me in the direction of the previous suit. He was merely going to show me how to locate the file, seeing as Deke--when I met with him--did not have those details himself.

If Susan had done her homework here, she would've kept from insinuating that David was going to be at all involved, seeing that it would constitute a conflict of interest for the Office of the Defense Attorney to become even remotely involved in a private suit against the city. To date, David has provided me with no assistance in this matter whatsoever, and he asked Susan kindly but forcefully to keep his name out of any story of hers--seeing as his involvement here is ZERO--when she contacted him.

3. I want no special recognition for the CSA banner, and made that clear in the YouTube video, available under the heading "Flag Controversy at Augusta, GA Riverwalk". It merely needs to be replaced in order to make the history walk on the levee accurate again. This is not about a.) Confederate Memorial Day or b.) 'secessionist' issues. I found the website " slmnews.blogspot.com " (the link above is not correct) interesting enough to ask its owner to do a video shoot about the flag issue at the River Walk. The blog is not mine, and I have no control over it's content.

I e-mailed Susan days before this story ran asking whether or not we were clear on these details; she ignored my e-mail. And I can see why--with the details above excluded from the story, there really isn't a story here to begin with.

"Maybe (Jon Brunk) wanted his 15 minutes of fame," [Commissioner Bill Lockett] said.

Wha....? LOL.

Thats what reporters do now, they tell the news as THEY see it. The only way to ever do an interview with a reporter is via e-mail by allowing them to ask the quesitons and then answer in writing with an upfront agreement that if anything is used from your response that everything must be used in the response. Even then, they will still do their best to tell it as they see it or whatever may help sell a newspaper.

One must take extraordinary care when speaking with members of the media. They're conscienceless experts at editing a person's normal interest story into an Saga of "lifelong struggle passed from one generation to another", to sell a story. Thanks for posting your side of it, which I think is only fair. I'd like to add.....these are exciting times we're fortunate to live in. Not too long ago, we were all but defenseless against what ever was written in the press. Whether it was a (perceived...perhaps) personal attack on us or a family member, a misquote, misprint or just plain inaccurate accounting of events. Now we have the tools in our hands to rectify media errors.....or just to tell our side of a story. Well done Jon, this is a popular site, many of our concerned citizens of this area will read your statement. Peace

I would like to make the following information public:

I. When I was contacted by Ms. McCord, I made it plain that I had only second-hand information about this situation. As Jon had relayed the story to me, he was walking the River Walk with his family and noticed the flag being down; he then said he would contact his elected official, the mayor. Nothing more was said between us on this issue. I then directed her to contact my brother for further comment.

II. Ms. McCord informed me that there'd been a previous suit. Prior to our conversation, I had not known that there had been a suit surrounding the matter.

III. The author misquotes me as saying that the current situation at the River Walk constitutes "revisionist history". This is false. I told her *my brother* had said that the situation at the River Walk amounted to a potential case of historical revisionism; I personally had no opinion on the matter and would not comment on it.

IV. I made it clear to Ms. McCord that I am not involved in this matter in any way. I was not involved prior to Jon's contacting the mayor's office; I was not involved in Jon and Deke's meeting; and I have not become involved since, in any professional or private capacity.

V. I informed Ms. McCord that quoting me in relation to this story would be would be a misrepresentation of the facts and would be irresponsible. I asked that she seek her information from Jon, seeing as, again, my information was second-hand and that I could not become personally or professionally involved. Our office has a policy of not commenting on such local issues. I have a *personal policy* of not commenting OR becoming involved in such local issues.

VI. I am asking that The Augusta Chronicle publish a retraction of Ms. McCord's suggestion in this story that I am involved in this matter at all, and will be contacting the Editor to seek the same.

--David Brunk, Criminal Defense Attorney, State of Georgia

Maybe Deke helped her with the story, to make it easier for him to abstain from making any decision about it! It's all about politics, and stroking the PC Police. I think they should just take all of them down, and be done with it. Just put all American Flags on the poles.

Mr Brunk, thank you for your efforts. I stand behind you to support you in any way possible.

Ah, when will people learn? NEVER talk to ANY reporter for ANY publication about ANYTHING or you will find yourself misquoted, misrepresented and mischaracterized.
Confederate flag is part of our history; let it fly with all the other banners from our past on Riverwalk.

The confederate flag is a flag. It flew in a civil war. It is neither a black flag nor a white flag, but a flag from an important event in American history. It has been made a politically correct evil icon by the media and other far left revisionists. Susan McCord apparently agrees with the revisionists and therefore feels the facts of this incident don't need to be recognized. It's all about influencing the situation. I have no inside information, but it seems she's applying for a job with the AP.

Vietnam - "We Were Winning When I Left"

Who cares?

Remember all of those years when we loved "Zig Zag Zell". Mr. Miller zigged and zagged his way to Washington DC. "Deke the Dodger" is on his way to Washington DC. "Boob Young (grandson of Brigham Young)" even made it Washington DC. Call the odds makers in Vegas. Get invited to the Coperhaver-Sandford-Boardman Sunday Brunch for a preview. Politics in Dysfunction Junction (-: All aboooard!!! We are going to ride this train to "glory" with every tax dollar we can squeeze from the sheeple of ARC. Hallelujah!! Pass the Tylenol!!!

I thought the governor of Ga. (republican) had settled the issue of the flag and placed it in the musieum where it belongs. We should realize that all the traitors who waged war against the united states are dead and hopefully RIP. The flag should be a dead issue also. If all those dead soldiers were to come back, they would still find a few old heads who still share their views of humanity. HELLO! HELLO! RIP! RIP! RIP!

The flag is historically significant and shouldn't be forgotten. My problem is it represents the division of the Union. One of the bloodiest wars in our history. Something that should never happen again. This flag represents the Southern states that attempted to divide this great country. It shouldn't be flown or celebrated. Displayed in a museum and never forgotten, yes; but that flag shouldn't receive the honor of ever being able to fly atop any flagpole.

More U.S. Flags ruled over more years of "slavery" than any Confederate Flag. Don't mention the U.S. Flag that flew over the "Whiskey Wars of 1790" when U.S. Troops killed "loyal veterans of the Revolutionary War". Don't mention the U.S. Flags that flew over the "systematic genocide of Native Americans". Don't mention the U.S. Flag that flew over U.S. troops firing on WWI veterans in Washington DC. "Manifest Destiny will cover a multitude of sins". "This land is your land, this land is my land; From New York City to the Pacific Waters.........." "Why did the One God make so many white eyes and so few Apache?" "Why must they have all of the land?"

The Confederate flag is not racist, obscene, and has never degraded any race of people, except in the hands of and displayed by hate groups. The true Confederate flag is a part of American history.

http://home.comcast.net/~dep928/CFLAG/index.htm

Who is righteous in this dispute? Historical Revisionism? Not one of us alive today fired a weapon in 1861 or owned another human beings. However, our beloved "federal government under the American Flag fires guns everyday and owns a nation of slaves".

Let's see, what does our U.S. Flag represent. Red for blood, white for purity, blue for valor? Maybe it should only be "red" now, since it should represent the people.

Dixieman I see that you weren't there at the fall of saigon,and after we bailed on the vietmese,over 3 million of them were slaughtered.

MR.BRUNK-I thank you and my ancestors and all the men.women and children that fought and died for the south.

Oh Boy!

"And now, playing first base for the Dysfunction Junction Dodgers, let me introduce Deke Coperhave-Boardman." Lifetime All American Boy. Recent Most Valuable Player at Mayor's Masters Brunch. Rumors abound that a trade to the "Washington Nationals" is in negotiations.

Deke, you are a shameful coward for dodging on this issue.

We didn't bail on Saigon. Our glorious federal government bailed on Saigon. Bell Helicopter and Martin-Marietta Corp. along with every politician and dope dealer had made enough money. The military men and women who defend this country have a "mission". They can and will "deliver the mission" when they are not "handcuffed".

The battle flag was designed by General PGT Beauregard who was against slavery along with General LEE and JACKSON.The red field represents the Blood of CHRIST,The white reprents the protection of God,the blue x represents the Cristian Cross of Saint Andrew,the first Disciple of Christ Jesus and the patron Saint of Scotland.The 13 Stars represent the 13 Southern States of Secession.The message of the flag is,Trough the Blood of Christ,with the protection of God,We,the Thirteen States,United in our Christian fight for Liberty.

sorry about miss spelled words in a hurry,i know someone would have something to say about it,but you get the message.

Augusta was the third city in the South to observe Confederate Memorial Day behind Vicksburg, MS 1865, Columbus, GA 1866. Robert E. Lee visited Augusta in 1870 and stayed at the Planters Hotel (Broad St & McCartan St) the people of Augusta stood outside all night singing. I'm glad I was born in the land of cotton where old times there will never be forgotten.

I'm southern born and bred. At least one of my ancestors was in the confederate infantry. You can argue states rights until you are blue in the face, but to ignore that slavery was one of the issues is just foolish. I appreciate the hardships endured, bravery and valor of the troops involved on both sides. However, for those of you talking up the southern heritage aspects, where were you when the flag was being hijacked by various groups that saw fit to make it a symbol of their hatred? Did you do anything to stop them?

They should at least change it to the flag for which the new Georgia state flag was patterned...the Stars and Bars, the first Confederate flag. It's better to be historically correct rather than "politically correct."