I'm not even a Southerner and I'm not a neo-Confederate, but if there's one thing I can't stomach, it's the GOP's own brand of political correctness (i.e. trying to outdo liberal Democrats at the game of crying "racism").
No, it's not PC - it's history. The Confederate flag flew for the Confederate nation - and that nation came to be because it wanted to hold on to slavery. David Barton is far removed from being a Liberal Democrat, and what he states are facts from the writings of the Democrat Slavers and what they were ready to war over:
http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=92
The Confederate flag was birthed from the Democrat Party on keeping slavery and cannot be painted any other way. Being it is their flag, we should be shoving into the face of the Democrats, not flying it.
In either case, I am highly suspicious that it really was flown by a Tea Party member; I just can't prove it is a Liberal flying it (though the guy flying it looks like one).
His comment wasn't that "anyone" who flies the flag or "takes pride in his Southern Heritage" is being an idiot. (indeed, he even pointed out many people celebrate southern heritage by flying the Bonnie Blue Flag) His comment was that it's idiotic to fly the flag at a national tea party event that has nothing do with "southern heritage" and "states rights". It would be like carrying a Virgin Mary statue through a rally about tax reform.
>> I'm not even a Southerner and I'm not a neo-Confederate, but if there's one thing I can't stomach, it's the GOP's own brand of political correctness (i.e. trying to outdo liberal Democrats at the game of crying "racism"). <<
I understand what you're saying, personally I'm sick of conservatives who want to play the "let's pretend JFK was a heroic leader and great President because the liberal Democrats and the media say he was", but I think you need to consider that their is an appropriate time and place for everything. Whether you like it or not, the confederate flag is a polarizing symbol and it's not just popular with everyone. That's reality, not a liberal talking point. Flying a logo with the Chicago Cubs may be harmless and welcomed on the north side of Chicago, but fly it elsewhere in America and you'll likely to be ridiculed. The fact I'm from the Chicago area won't change that reality.