The politics have certainly shifted fast. The Daily Beast reports breaking news this morning

Alabama Gov. Robert Bently ordered the immedate removal of a Confederate flag from Capitol grounds Wednesday morning. “Two workers came out of the Capitol building about 8:20 a.m. and with no fanfare quickly and quietly took the flag down,” The Birmingham News reports. “Moments later Gov. Bentley emerged from the Capitol on his way to an appearance in Hackleburg. Asked if he had ordered the flag taken down, the governor said, ‘Yes I did.'”

UPDATE: And possible movement in Mississippi, where the state flag incorporates the Confederate flag? Roll Call reports

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GOP Sen. Roger Wicker now says that his state of Mississippi should change its flag.

“After reflection and prayer, I now believe our state flag should be put in a museum and replaced by one that is more unifying to all Mississippians,” Wicker said in a statement.

The change in position by the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee comes less than 48 hours after telling CQ Roll Call in a statement that it was an issue for the state and the voters to decide.

UPDATE 2: More context on Alabama from local coverage at al.com

While the battle flag – which is at the center of the controversy – is gone, there remains in place three Civil War era flags.

They are the First National Confederate Flag, commonly preferred to as the “Stars and Bars;” the second flag is the Second National Confederate Flag, more commonly known as the “Stainless Banner;” and the last flag standing is the Third National Confederate Flag.

The view of the flags on the huge monument has been obstructed by the heavy trees at the site which is just at the bottom of the steps leading to the main doors of the Capitol’s north entrance and is surrounded by a wrought iron fence. It is a very short walk from the governor’s office.

UPDATE 3: Nope, the other Confederate flags have now been removed by the Alabama governor as well.

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