As I have stated before, the powers that be are always pushing through their own agendas. During the time frame of the Civil War, the elitist gentry, who controlled most state governments,voted with their purse. Remember, women & blacks could not vote. (For the most part, they were considered property) The rich or affluent have always controlled our government. Without strong financial backing & political connections, one can never get elected. I say this because while the average citizen toiled away at making a living, the politicians (large plantation owners, industrialists, ETC) were bent on protecting their own interests. While Johnny Reb might have been fighting because his state was invaded, or a hundred other reasons, the Southern political interests were worried about protecting their investments, which slave labor was a major factor. The Industrial Revolution caused the demise of slavery in some sections of the world, while it promoted the spread of it in other sections. The cotton gin, without a doubt, helped make slavery a very profitable enterprise in certain sections of our Nation. If cotton would not have been as profitable as this little machine helped it become, slavery might have died out eventually on it's own. But it did not. Many things led up to the confrontation of a bloody war that is referred to by many names. I have seen post after post defending the right to fly the Confederate flag. Mine included. But we must remember that to some Americans, they see this flag & it reminds them that once, long ago, they were considered less than human. I don't believe in African Americans, Native Americans, Arab Americans, European Americans ETC. In my book, ether your an American or your not. The war happened, we cannot change that fact. We can try to understand the many different causes of the conflict & repercussions afterwards. Our Country, as well as other Nations, have been through periods of ugly behavior. Episodes, that some of us, would rather forget. But regardless, these incidents are a part of our history. The fiber of our being so to speak. Looking at the world through rose colored glasses will not change the fact that certain events happened. I understand why some Americans would hate the Confederate flag & as Americans, that is their right. We will never all see eye to eye on this issue. My opinions are just that & they may never become etched in any mountain or tablet for all the world to see, but I can live with them. I believe that taking down the Confederate flags at the two sites was wrong, but I respect those who disagree, as we all should. Very soon it looks like our Nation will become embroiled in yet another conflict in which good Americans will sacrifice their lives. I pray that everyone who has family that may be involved in this, can have their loved ones come home safe. Desoto Joe/The Record Man