There are good points on all sides of this argument. It's a good song, very enjoyable and easy to sing. I'm sure that most people who sing it, don't sing it with any racist intent. I suppose the same goes for the Confederate battle flag - it's a colorful, attractive symbol that evokes nostalgia and a tie to history.

However, both the song and the flag have been used by racists as rallying points, and that has clouded the meaning of both with overtones that can be extremely offensive.

But back to the other side - I think one of the major faults of our current age is its neo-Victorian attempt to purge language and culture of every word and idea somebody might possible consider offensive. I think we could all stand to loosen up a bit, and not be so damn fussy about what other people say and do.

It seems a shame to dump a good song. Seems to me that it's OK to sing it, but that people should be sensitive to that fact that it can be quite offensive in some situations. As for the Confederate flag, I think it's something that can cause offense most of the time, so it's better not to display it unless it's being displayed as an artifact of a past age.

-Joe Offer-