Because even the most despicable human beings can end up on the right side of a divisive issue every now and then. From the Myrtle Beach Sun News’ Terry Massey.

Saturday’s Garnet and Black Spring Game became a game of flag football when South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was asked to elaborate on his earlier comments on the Confederate flag issue.

“My opinion is we don’t need the Confederate flag at our Capitol,” he said. “I don’t really know anybody that wants it there, but I guess there are a lot of South Carolinians that do want it.”

It’s amazing to think about how much money this state has lost out on all because of a rectangular piece of cloth. As Spurrier pointed out, “We rank at the bottom in a lot of categories you don’t want to be last in,” and the lost revenue could go a long way toward curing those ills.

But it is not a money matter to many South Carolinians; it’s a matter of principle. And I agree that one should not change simply because they are being pressured economically to do so.

But the flag shouldn’t be brought down because it is costing us a lot of money; it should be brought down because it’s the right thing.

Amongst those who’d prefer Spurrier keep his mouth shut on the matter, State Senator Robert Ford. From the Charleston Post and Courier.

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, who sponsored the bill that moved the flag from the Capitol dome to the grounds, said Spurrier’s timing was “100 percent wrong,” given the presidential campaigns coming through the state. Candidates have more important issues, Ford said. “He threw a monkey wrench in this campaign and I don’t like it,” Ford said. “It don’t look right. It don’t sound right. It don’t feel right.”