'Cooter' Campaigns For John Edwards: He Also Sells Rebel Flags

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ben Jones, the former Georgia congressman who played "Cooter" on the Dukes of Hazzard TV show, has a key role in a DVD John Edwards' presidential campaign is distributing across Iowa. The video plays up Edwards' small town roots. It doesn't highlight Jones' affinity for the Confederate flag.

The Edwards backer's Web site is big on redneck culture, and sells the flags and flag-bedecked goodies by urging folks to "display your southern heritage with pride." Others see displaying such symbols of southern heritage as less to do with heritage, and more to do with racism and slavery and white supremacy. Confederate flags can -- and do --stand for the days of segregation.

Jones served two terms in the House from a Georgia district. He's a Democrat and now lives in Virginia. He's an entrepreneur and entertainer who played a mechanic on the Duke's TV show. Iowa political blogger Dien Judge was put off by Edwards' rural DVD, which he described as "about as hokey as a possum wearin' bib overalls." Judge did not pick up on the rebel flag issue.

The Daily Bellwether thinks Edwards needs to distance himself from Jones right away. He should not consort with someone who sells Confederate-themed merchandise, including flags, mugs, afghans, aprons, playing cards and "a hand-held rebel flag that measures 12x7[inches], great for parades, picnics, and other family events." What kind of parade? A KKK march?

Iowa blogger Judge says Edwards' rural strategist Dave "Mudcat'' Saunders has been in touch and explains the DVD is meant to show that Edwards' is passionate bout rural issues. "And the intention of if was that we wanted to show John's roots. We wanted to show where he came from, because an acorn don't fall far from a tree."

No problem with that. Just get rid of the guy who sells Confederate memorabilia.

Ohio Dukes Of Hazzard Flap (II): Rebel Flag, Reverse Racism And 'Mindless Morons' in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A public relations handler for John Schneider, who played Bo Duke in the old Dukes of Hazzard TV series, says the Cincinnati Pops cancelled a July appearance by the actor/singer because of reverse racism. He said the General Lee car in the sitcom was decorated with the racially charged Confederate flag -- which led to the ban -- but that should be excused because people have "done bad things under the American flag."

The flag flap erupted last week and continues GOING STRONG. Schneider's spokesman says the actor is the victim of censorship and "mindless morons" in Cincinnati who cancelled his performance. But is it good strategy to drag Old Glory into the dispute? Does the Stars and Stripes have the checkered past of the Stars and Bars? Here's the post I found on a Web site for Schneider:

"Hey Gang,

"This is Breet, John's Publicist or Gofer, or whatever my title is. I needed to get this off of my chest. John Schneider is not a racist. He has fans of all kinds come and see him and wait in long lines to do so. He loves all of them. He just spent 11 days away from his wife and kids to spend time with the fans to help spread the word about his new movie. The Cincinnati Pops just dropped John and Tom Wopat from a performance because the General Lee sports a Confederate Flag. This is the most blatant type of reverse racism and censorship that I've ever seen. I'm ashamed of the mindless morons who have caused this!!! John is a stand up guy and he deserves to be treated better. We all need to get behind him and voice our opinions. Censorship is a horrible thing and the door swings both ways. Please do something, call your Congress person, write the editor of your newspaper, make a noise of some kind. I for one am not going to be ashamed to be a "Dukes" fan. Uncle Jesse wasn't a racist and neither am I!!

"Heck, I had relatives die fighting for the Confederacy, but I'm an American and nobody in this country is going to tell us to shut-up!! They are punishing John for something he didn't do. It's not John's fault that a few narrow minded idiots used the Battle Flag to do horrible things!! Heck, people have done bad things under the American Flag, but nobody's punishing John for that!! I know that I'm venting, but I'm angry. It's not fair!! Help us make a difference!! Make a noise and send the idiots a message. And go see "Collier & Co. Hot Pursuit!" It'll make you feel better!!! I'm proud to call John a friend. Go to http://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/Verify/contactus.asp to voice your opinion!!!

"Breet"

Boss Hogg's Revenge: Cincinnati Pops Boots The Dukes As Redneck Culture

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A former southern congressman who came to prominence playing a mechanic named "Cooter" on the old nework TV show The Dukes of Hazzard says political correctness has cost the sitcom's two male leads a gig with the Cincinnati Pops orchestra. Ben Jones said John Schneider, who played Bo Duke, and Tom Wopat, his onscreen cousin Luke, were dumped over complaints the show about a rural southern community had "racial overtones," a charge that Jones said is ludicrous.

Jones is from North Carolina and served as a Democrat in the House. A brief online bio about his political career shows he served two terms from Georgia.
Schneider has a movie coming out next month and has been in Alabama raising money for victims of the tornado that wrecked Enterprise and destroyed the town's high school earlier this month. The 1980s TV show is something of a cult classic in the South, and has been on CMT in reruns, though no longer seems to be available on the cable network. In June, there is a big celebration called DukesFest held at the Bristol Speedway.

Jones claims the Cincinnati NAACP chapter played some role in the decision, but evidence of that was not immediately available. There is nothing about the dust up or the Dukes on the Pops' schedule and official site. But Jones' statement is on his Web site, Cooter's Place, HERE.

"I wish I was making this up. But, unfortunately it is true. It is bizarre. One reason our show is loved by folks of all colors all over the world is that racism is non-existent in Hazzard County. It is an innocent show where the good guys always win and nobody gets hurt, and brotherhood is a natural thing there. What could these politically correct vigilantes be thinking?"

The American-built car the Dukes drove, the Gen. Lee, apparently had a Confederate flag visible in some episodes of the Warner Bros. series. And the horn played Dixie when honked. Many view the stars and bars as a racist symbol of southern slavery and segregation. Dixie was a southern anthem. The Warner's Web site about the show and a couple of movies is HERE, but this click takes you to an episode about the Gen. Lee.