I think I understand most of the points raised so far. I would look askance at those sporting and selling the Confederate Flag because it has become a potent post Civil War symbol of racism. I know that not everyone perceives it thus, but plenty do.

In the early 90's I was at the Oshkosh air convention (Wisconsin) and among the sales booths there were some selling various 'proud to be South' monickers, and in addition to the flag, the 'southern by the grace of God' signs, was a bumper sticker: "If I'd 'a known, I'd've picked my own cotton!" I considered this vaguely humorous when I first saw it, but came to the conclusion after the fact that it was incredibly racist.

What do you guys think? do you see embellishments like these at the same places you see Confederate flags for sale and does this give a truer implication as to the symbolic meanings involved?