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I would think the model train industry would be unaffected. Our community has a firmer grasp on historical fact and desire to model different aspects of history. Leave the politics to the big box stores
You're making a historical model. You can't engage in historical "revision". It is what it was. If I was modeling the Civil war, you bet I'd have Confederate battle flag ("stars and bars") and the CSA national flag on a Confederate locomotive.
There was a model of the Hindenberg available a few years back and the catalog photo had plus signs instead of swastikas. However, for authenticity, the purchaser could complete them to make an accurate model.
History is past and can't change. However, those who fail to learn from the tragedies of history are doomed to repeat them.
History is full of bad things that are offensive to people
You're making a historical model. You can't engage in historical "revision". It is what it was. If I was modeling the Civil war, you bet I'd have Confederate battle flag ("stars and bars") and the CSA national flag on a Confederate locomotive.
Seems like you touched on my comment, AGHRMatt. I'm unsure that the battle flag would have appeared on an engine or rolling stock. I don't know and would have to do some research on that. I'd think a CSA national flag more likely, if not the individual state flag.
You're making a historical model. You can't engage in historical "revision". It is what it was. If I was modeling the Civil war, you bet I'd have Confederate battle flag ("stars and bars") and the CSA national flag on a Confederate locomotive.
Seems like you touched on my comment, AGHRMatt. I'm unsure that the battle flag would have appeared on an engine or rolling stock. I don't know and would have to do some research on that. I'd think a CSA national flag more likely, if not the individual state flag.
I remember seeing a photo of a locomotive with the CSA national flag and I think you're right -- the other was likely a state flag as opposed to the battle flag. This wouldn't even be news if that whack job hadn't had a photo of him holding the stars and bars on his blog.
The reason for wanting them, may be of little concern to those offended by it.
Yes, politics aside they may become harder to find, for at least a while.
But Swastikas, SS skulls, pirate flags, those are all still made for modeling.
You might want to pick up a few "don't tread on me" decals too as that's somehow possibly joined the offensive flag list. (and I'm not sure yet which of the five versions it is. Or why?)
You can never make everyone happy about everything,but if it may be offensive to some then the manufactures might simply include the stickers (or decals) to be applied by the purchaser if they decide.
But like Matt explains, if your modeling that period of history and choose to purchase that certain car with the " bars and stars " flag, then you should realize what your options are before you decide to buy.
I don't have these cars, but am trying to remember the image: was one of these flags on the decoration of the 2 Gettysburg cars done by Weaver a few years back?
The thing I saw on the news this morning that made me ask this was the story on the big brands that are stopping sales of anything with the flag on it. The list was something like Wal Mart, K Mart/Sears, Amazon, and eBay (I may have missed one or 2).
The eBay part is what got my attention since it's not eBay themselves selling any product. It seems like it's now not allowed to sell anything with this image on their site? (maybe it just means there cannot be a photo - which is a bit backwards in today's world of how auctions are viewed, but I guess that would be the work-around) In a non-train related more central pop culture example, I guess anything with the Dukes of Hazard General Lee car is now off the table as well?
Hopefully this doesn't cross boundaries as being discussed in the "rant" right now. I felt it was relevant since it may impact ability to buy or sell any train items that have this image on-line.
In that vein, I'll ask anyone to please not quote my full text so it's easier for the mods to just delete this post rather than this whole thread if I've gone too far in that direction.
-Dave