“The best road to progress is freedom’s road.” – John F. Kennedy
Today we remember the day that changed the world. It changed the course, but let us remember that the road we still drive upon, is freedom’s road.
News
Warner Bros. Says Rebel Flag Stays on General Lee
After being bombarded by emails, petitions and outcry from fans of “The Dukes of Hazzard”, along with being lambasted by cast member Ben Jones, Warner Bros. provided the following statement to NBC:
‘We were not, and are not, planning to change the design of the General Lee on merchandise. All reports to the contrary have been inaccurate.”
We’re not so sure they were inaccurate. We think WB stepped back after realizing that popular public sentiment stood against them. Whatever the case, the issue is at rest, and the General Lee will keep his full uniform. But the controversy surrounding pop-culture use of the rebel flag will be an ongoing battle.
We’re grateful that Warner Bros. is leaving the flag on the General Lee. We also acknowledge that there’s gonna be somebody out there who thinks the rebel flag shouldn’t be on a toy car.
Yet, if those objectors would simply watch a few episodes of the show, they’d realize there’s no hate in The Dukes of Hazzard. There never was. It promoted values like helping your neighbors, saying grace before a meal, speaking respectfully to your elders, doing your chores, being kind to animals, upholding justice and standing up against corruption.
Not much to protest, is there?
Thank you, Warner Bros., for hearing the fans.
Warner Bros. Forbids Flag on All General Lee Diecast Cars
Warner Bros. has reportedly banned the rebel flag from all Dukes of Hazzard “General Lee” diecast cars, effective Jan 1, 2013. For Dukes of Hazzard fans, this could be the night the lights went out in Georgia.
The change to General Lee product licensing has been in the diecast collector’s news for a couple of weeks. The news originally broke on Supercar Collectibles, then was picked up by Mopar Muscle Magazine, and most recently on HobbyTalk.com. As the reports began to snowball, we found ourselves compelled to pass along the info.
We hold out a small, slim hope that Warner Bros. will re-think this one and not go through with this politically paranoid decision. Otherwise, what’s next? The complete denial that “The Dukes of Hazzard” was ever on the air? Pull all the DVD sets off the market?
And what of the General Lee being consistently ranked as the number one (01) TV and movie car of all time? We’re just going to pretend now that the flag was never on it? Who ya kidding?
For crying out loud, the car is named “The General Lee”, after all. Is it really that shocking to have a rebel flag on it?
Where does it end?
We don’t know, and we’re afraid to find out. Hard to believe that something as innocent as a country stock car could be in so much trouble for a flashy paint job, after wearing it for over 30 years.
Any controversy surrounding the General Lee has been created by extreme stances of political correctness, and not due to any real problem. Warner Bros would be hard-pressed to find somebody who has been personally devastated by the General Lee. Except, maybe, for Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane.
Thanks to fan Jason Burnett for the heads up on this story.
Happy Birthday Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane!
Jimmie Best, known around the world as the inept, corrupt, but entirely fun-loving Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, is celebrating is 86th birthday on July 26. A veteran of Hollywood’s golden era, Jimmie has impressive film work on his resume. But it was his role in “The Dukes of Hazzard” that launched him into household fame and helped create the Dukes legacy.
Fortunately for Dukes fans, Jimmie has made hundreds of personal appearances at car shows and Dukes of Hazzard events. He has endured thousands of miles of travel, and spent many long hours of his life signing autographs. He’s done biker gigs, art shows, charity appearances, and bachelorette parties. We’re kidding about that last one, but if his wife was ok with it, he’d be there! He’s befriended fans of all ages and he knows how to delight a crowd. He’s entertained audiences for generations, and his approachability has created a lot of goodwill for The Dukes of Hazzard.
Please join us in wishing Jimmie a Happy Birthday in our Forums and on our Facebook page! We also strongly recommend that you take the opportunity to visit him at Hazzard Homecoming on August 11 & 12 in Amissville, VA. Ol’ Rosco might just decide to hang up the badge someday and spend more time fishing, so don’t pass up this chance to meet him!
We love ya, Rosco! Happy Birthday, and God Bless!
Dukes of Hazzard Stunt Show a Smashing Success!
Fearless Ray Kohn of the Northeast Ohio Dukes gave the “Hazzard Comes to Galax” crowd a thrilling General Lee jump on Saturday, June 2nd, despite problems with the car’s steering and an unscheduled smash into a parked vehicle.
Fortunately, the vehicle struck by Ray was one of the stunt unit cars belonging to the Northeast Ohio Dukes, but the collision caused considerable damage to both cars and a delay to the show. The Hazzard-ous mishap occurred during a warm-up lap in front of a grandstand audience of over 3,000 fans.
You can see the high-tech repairs to the General Lee – involving a really big hammer – in the video clip below, as well as the successful stunt jump. A big YEEHAA goes to Ray for staying safe and continuing on with the show!
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