Sam,

I completely disagree with your appraisal of James McPherson, I am less familiar with Kenneth Rampp, of someone bringing "balance" to a discussion of the Civil War. With Dr. McPherson's professional background in Slavery & Reconstruction, I've found most of his writing like "the man with a hammer, to whom everything he sees is a nail". His attacks on Southern heritage organizations, in my opinion, are unwarranted and without substance. Especially, his reference to the UDC as a "white supremacist" organization sounds like something from MoveOn.Org, not a serious Civil War historian. Sorry, I'm not a James McPherson fan either for the quality of his writing or his "thinly-veiled ideology".

Finally, your last words reinforce my view that the term "neo-Confederate" is a political epithet or insult. Therefore, I hope those who consider themselves pro-Southern or defenders of Southern heritage, realize the depth of this insult when they accept it being used by others or even as a self-description.

BTW, Sam, I'm an equal opportunity respondent. Recently, a number of our "neo-Confederate" posters left the message board, due to my clearly, pro-Union positions. I just don't like my ancestors, North or South, and their motives being attacked or people and organizations wishing to honor their memories being attacked with catch phrases and labels.

Thanks for the response.

Jim