Giles, that’s a valid point. Though, in the war films, the Nazi flag embodies their ideology. In DoH, it’s a background element. Set dressing… The show is about the family butting heads with the corrupt law. Nothing would change about the show if the flag was there or wasn’t there. Thematically, it’s unimportant; in the war film, it’s different. I could understand making a stink about DoH if the show was thematically focused on plots which advocate all the things that make the flag in question controversial. Again, this is a 30 year old show that’s never been considered controversial before. It feels a bit forced to suddenly find it “offensive” now.

Perhaps, though it could perpetuate the idea that such acquiescence is required. I could understand this shyness about the confederate flag a little more if the show’s topic was oriented around it. It’s a background element – though a conspicuous one – not a major theme of the show. The Dukes aren’t secessionists, or calling out for social change based on any of the various potential meanings of the flag.

Comparing this to the 9/11 / Simpsons episode is closer to saying that shows or movies that showed the NYC skyline including the towers should’ve been suppressed as a “painful reminder” of what once was. Dukes doesn’t bring the issue of the flag in and of itself to the forefront, it’s scenery.