[rustbucket]

On the contrary, confederate is either a noun, verb, or adjective depending on use. But while Turkey can be a proper noun when referring to the country, confederate is not because there was no country called the confederate states.

In error again, non sequitur? For confederate, my Merriam-Webster says: "capitalized: of or relating to the Confederate States of America"

[Non-Sequitur]

On the contrary. I think that it is Merriam-Webster who is in error. My Websters New Collegate doesn't show confederate as a proper noun, although for some reason they have an entry for something called 'Confederate Memorial Day' whatever that is. And since the confederate states was not a legal entity then it shouldn't be considered a proper noun. It's like the rustbucket states of america.