In reversal, Coast Guard again classifies swastikas, nooses as hate symbols

[Zorro]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Yonnie3 (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Washington Post

The new order came hours after The Post reported the service would instead classify such symbols “potentially divisive” under guidelines set for release next month.

In a stunning and hasty reversal, the U.S. Coast Guard announced late Thursday that swastikas and nooses are prohibited hate symbols — erasing an attempt to soften their definition after the plan elicited furious backlash.

The abrupt policy change occurred hours after The Washington Post first reported that the service was about to enact new harassment guidelines that downgraded the meaning of such symbols of fascism and racism, labeling them instead “potentially divisive.” That shift had been set to take effect Dec. 15.

In a memo to Coast Guard personnel, the service’s acting commandant, Adm. Kevin Lunday, said the policy document issued late Thursday night supersedes all previous guidance on the issue.

“Divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited,” Lunday wrote in his memo. “These symbols and flags include, but are not limited to, the following: a noose, a swastika, and any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, antisemitism, or any other improper bias.”

Read more: https://wapo.st/4rdDQew

[Silent Type]

1. I guess it's good trump admin often backtracks on such things, but fact it was even proposed is disgusting.

[NotHardly]

16. I'm expecting them to NOT live up to the current "turn-around".

So much flip flopping gives me no encouragement for any of this sh*t from any of the Trump admin lackies.

[C_U_L8R]

2. It's sad they couldn't figure that out on their own

[intheflow]

4. They totally knew what they weredoing.

They were just hoping nobody would notice, and if they did, they'd keep their mouth shut about it. They honestly don't give a shit.

[Easterncedar]

3. They try it, walk back, try again later on another front

They have been successful in purging women and people of color from command positions and rolling back decades of progress in all levels of humanitarian initiatives worldwide. We need to keep pushing back on all fronts until this immediate horror ends and then keep fighting for a better world. Never give up.

[SaydiTom]

5. this is almost straight out of Tim Snyder's "On Tyranny"

fascists push the envelope as far as they can, but most times they get away with it with zero resistance

[William Seger]

6. Who was responsible?

Acting Coast Guard commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday announced the reversal, but nobody wants to take "credit" for trying to pull this off:

It was unclear Friday morning who had directed the attempt to reclassify such symbols as “potentially divisive” rather than hate symbols. A Coast Guard spokeswoman did not immediately address questions about how late-night policy reversal came to be.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Coast Guard under the purview of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, did not respond to queries Friday seeking to understand whether Noem or her staff at DHS had any involvement in attempting to classify swastikas and nooses as “potentially divisive,” or whether the secretary had even known about the planned language change before The Post’s story was published.

I want to know, was it Noem or someone higher?

[Raven123]

18. Same here.

[IronLionZion]

7. MAGA would classify them as "great" symbols

[SunSeeker]

8. Pushback works. nt

[WestMichRad]

9. Shamed into the reversal.

Be on the lookout for them to try and quietly ease back…

[KPN]

10. Of course they did. The whole frigging cabal are TACOs.

What are TACOs comprised of? Mostly insecure bullies, but also plain old insecures -- bullies or not.

But that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. In fact, the opposite.

[orangecrush]

11. Chaos

[Seinan Sensei]

12. More, please

Now do that damn “Thin Blue Line” flag

[no_hypocrisy]

13. Hegseth: Can't anyone take a joke?

[2na fisherman]

17. Check His Tattoos

Besides his hateful demeanor and face, I wonder how many hate symbols he has on his body.

[ms liberty]

14. What's the worst is that they had to be shamed into it by the citizenry.

Fucking fascists.

[Wonder Why]

15. TACOS spread to Coast Guard!

[relayerbob]

19. It's not clear to me that this is actually a "reversal" at all.

More like something the administration was trying to force down the Coast Guard's throat, and they're having none of it.

Here's Lunday's actual statement:

“The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false. These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy. Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished. The Coast Guard remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and professional workplace. Symbols such as swastikas, nooses and other extremist or racist imagery violate our core values and are treated with the seriousness they warrant under current policy."

The Coast Guard followed it with this. Note the specific and repeated use of the word "Lawful":

"Today, @USCG announced the release of a policy and lawful order that doubles down on its current policies prohibiting the display, distribution or use of hate symbols by Coast Guard personnel.

The policy and lawful order provides clear definitions, guidance and expectations for Coast Guard personnel. It describes prohibited hate symbols in alignment with military policy.

This is not an updated policy but a new policy to combat any misinformation and double down that the U.S. Coast Guard forbids these symbols."

[Auggie]

20. What matters to the deplorables is the effort

Trump wins anyhow simply for trying

[Bayard]

21. Now you see it,

Now you don't. Wish they'd do this with trump's blathering.

[Borogove]

22. These clowns are really good at walking backwards.

[Mysterian]

23. I think Coast Guard brass stood up to the Homeland Security nazis

The military will no go along with a nazi takeover of our nation.

[Yonnie3]

24. Locking as a duplicate

Please continue discussion at the earlier thread https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143569036