The Founding Fathers of America defended and preserved the system of slavery in the former colonies. Washuington and Jeeferson were slaveholders.

Among the grievances against the British were claims that they were preventing settlers from taking land from Native Americans. Many Native Americans fought against the rebellion, many fled into exile in Canada when it won.

If the anti-slavery movement in England had at that time got a few years ahead of itself, and there had been an attempt by the British government to suppress slavery in the Colonies, there can be no doubt this would have been seen as a tyrannical imposition. Far more than any Tea Tax, that would have been the spark for rebellion. And it would also have been identified as the justification for the Imperial power in seeking to crush that rebellion.

In the 1812 war, wan't one of the issues that the Royal Navy was interfering with American ships - flying the flag of the United States - in carrying out their lawful business carrying slaves.

The point I'm making is that to demonise the Confederacy as if it was somehow significantly different from the United States is to misread history. The value of looking at history is to learn from it, not to take sides and fight over the old battles (except in play, like jeffp and hius mates).

Very likely, for pragmatic reasons,it's a good idea to take the Confederate Flag off public buildings in Carolina, just as it is perfectly valid to treat the display of Union Jacks in many settings as offensive and provocative.

But I would suggest that for every racist thug who flies the Confederate Flag, as an expression of hate for people of another colour or ethnic identity, there are probably many many more who fly the Stars and Stripes for the same reason. When that ceases to be the case, I would suggest that the Confederate Flag would become as potent a symbol of hate as the eagles of the Roman Empire.

I like the sound of that recoloured flag Chet mentioned. Like the Green White and Gold Union Jacks some cheeky people in Northern Ireland played around with a few years back. Or the Union Jack with the crosses outlined in black.