Here's the deal...
I think "Southern Heritage" is pretty cool. As a matter of fact, I think ANY "Heritage" is cool. From high school rivalries to college fraternity battles to The Yankees versus The Red Sox to America versus Great Britian (Or even America versus the World). Having pride in one's self and "Community" builds character and fosters pride within one's self.
That being said...
I think a LOT of these "Confederate Defenders" use "Southern Pride" as a way to hide their true racist feelings and attitudes. Thus doing harm to the reputation of people of good faith who are simply proud of their heritage.
Now...I am FOR "States Rights". I think it's a wonderful idea at its core. In the most basic of terms, it allows us to have 50 little experiments. That's a VERY good thing. It would allow us to see who's government is best if utilized fully. And in the end, ALL of us would be better off as a result of these "Tests".
But guess what? There have been, and are, a certain number of racist rednecks who use and have used "States Rights" as a way to foster their racism. And because of them, that concept of "States Rights" is gone forever. Because of those few assholes we'll never have the best country possible. I resent them because of that. And once in a while, I speak-up about it.
President Lincoln was a WONDERFUL man who lost his life because he tried to keep the union in-tact and wanted to free some American slaves who happened to be black. And now we have these jackles running around saying we should not have a tribute to him in one of OUR states? Screw them! I can think of ONLY one reason why ANYONE would oppose that statue...Because they agree with the people who wanted President Lincoln dead.