I don't understand; why do people defend things such as the confederate flag

[Crunchy]

Really?
Who is the old bag on your $20 bill again?

I don't share your altruistic view of rebels.  From time to time one has to shake up the status quo but few rebellions result in improved living conditions for the masses that do the fighting.

Yes really. The fact that we can still celebrate our history with those we peacefully separated from is the point.

And I don't have an altruistic view of rebels. You asked for someone to "name me one government which simply rolled over and allowed itself to be replaced by rebels" so I did.
I just wanted to make the point that the American view that everything has to be solved through a "war" on this or that is not true.