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I think of the confederate flag as a memorial to treason. Others may differ.

I have never been to South Carolina. My brother taught there, and now is called out as "from South Carolina" now that he is working in Atlanta. However, if you engage him in technical matters, he drops the Charleston Clip, and slips into "Appleknocker twang".

He got his PHD from Mississippi state. I gave him a largish painting I had of Lee on the battlefield of Antietam, riding on a horse in front of a regiment from Alabama, with his arm in a sling.

He was glad to have it, I was glad to get rid of it. Mutual satisfaction.

Have you ever read SHOGUN by James Clavel?
Its been many years since I read the novel, but one passage seems appropriate to this discussion.
I'm relating this from memory, so the details may be sketchy, but the gist of the story is accurate.

When the English pilot meets Lord Toranauga (I think my spelling is accurate) the Angin san is asked about his military experience. The Angin san relates that he has served with the Dutch forces fighting to liberate the Netherlands from Spain. Lord Toranauga tells Angin San that rebellion against a lawful sovereign is treason and there is no excuse for it. To which the Angin san replies that it isn't treason if you win. Lord Toranauga laughs and says that the Angin san has named the one exception to the rule. Remember that: it isn't treason if you win.

The irony of this discussion is that I'm receiving criticism from both sides. That must mean I've taken the moderate position.