Jim,

You said: "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."

Whether the term is an insult or an accurate descriptor overall depends on its usage. It is similar to the term "Lost Cause," which has also been taken by some people as an insult, although it is really an accepted title of a particular school of thought.

This brings up the issue (or perhaps "problem") of various schools of thought. Historians are grouped into different historiographical schools according to their views and arguments, and such grouping is completely legitimate. Yet, what you describe above---"defenders of Southern heritage"---is not so much a historiographical school as a political interest group. As such, "political" terms like "neo-Confederate" might be appropriate in some cases when describing these self-described "defenders."

The term "neo" means new or recent. Attached to the word "Confederate," and its basic meaning could be "a new or revised Confederate." (This has nothing to do with Nazis.) Again, people who claim to be "pro-South" or who are self-proclaimed "defenders of Southern heritage" or are dedicated to promoting Confederate political (or social) ideas could all legitimately fit this description.