As for anyone being offended by the flying of the Confederate battle flag at Higginsville, I think the following from present Congressman Lacy Clay is the appropriate response: "Many Visitors Share Respect for History of Confederate Site" Scott Charton, Associated Press St. Louis Post Dispatch, March 16, 1997 Excerpt: "State Sen. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, who is black, said he was not offended by the Confederate flag's display, "so long as it's in that historical context." Clay is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which helps set the state parks budget. The park will receive about $150,000 in the current budget. "We as a people have to start respecting different cultures more. Those who honor the Confederate flag have a cultural separation from me - but we need to respect each other's views," Clay said. Seems reasonable to me. Jim McGhee