Go Girl! That's what I call an assertive opinion if I ever heard one. I never apologize unless I have made an unintenional mistake and want to fix it, but apologizing for my beliefs or opinions... that will never happen! I personally wrote a column about the rebel flag last year so I too can understand your feelings about that issue. We are all Americans and that whole let's be "politically correct" is crap! Why not just tell us what to say and how to say it? Is that the new American policy? If you can't deal with individuality which is what America is notorious for I say "too bad that is your personal issue, get some therapy for it!" I am not a conformist and lots of people in my life have tried to change that. No one has succeeded nor will they! I am sick of them trying!!

I am an African American man. When the flag issue came about a few years ago, I didn't see what all of the fuss was about. In my opinion, there were far more important issues to be dealt with that trumped a flag. If someone wants to wear their rebel flag, so be it. Its your right.

We are not special.
We are your neighbors, your sons, your daughters, your friends.
YOU are special !
When the fire is roaring through your house, we will come to help,
Because YOU are special.
When you or your loved ones are trapped in a mangled wreck of the family car, we will come to help,
Because YOU are special.
When the noises that frighten you at night need to be checked, we will come to help,
Because YOU are special.
While you sleep peacefully at night, we stand guard over your freedom and way of life,
Because YOU are special.
No we are not special, we do not want to be thought of as special, we do our job,
Because YOU are special.
YOU are our neighbors, our sons, ours daughters, our friends,
And YOU are special to us.