Who Captured the Confederate Flag?

I recall growing up just outside of Nashville, TN, with its adoration for football, religion and music. I never really understood why the Confederate flag caused such a fuss. In fact, it wasn't really a big deal until my high school banned it for some unknown reason. Maybe because our rival was the Rebels and they donned the flag everytime they spanked us in football or basketball?

Somewhere along the line that flag was hijacked, and made to represent things that many of us never dreamed of. Thinking back, I recall the one thing that shaped my view of the rebel flag more than anything else: The Dukes of Hazard. Perhaps the best TV show for southern kids trying to be cool - all I ever wanted was to drive a General Lee, complete with non-opening doors, crazy horn and jerry-rigged emergency brake. Well, maybe I would have settled on being Knight Rider... Either way, The Dukes of Hazard is still an immensely popular show in syndication on TNN, or was during its 'The Nashville Network' days. Who didn't want to be a Duke? It meant driving fast, playing by your own rules and sticking by your family through thick and thin. Whats so wrong with that?