OPINION

State Fair Cancels Confederate Railroad Concert (Take a Wild Guess Why)

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

I have a new book coming out in September that exposes the Left's relentless attacks on American culture and traditions. It's called, "Culture Jihad: How to Stop the Left From Killing a Nation."

The culture jihadists are targeting our faith, our families and our heritage. They want to finish the fundamental transformation of our Republic that was started by President Obama.

The latest conflict involves the state of Illinois and Confederate Railroad, a popular country and southern rock band.

It seems that Confederate Railroad has been booted from an upcoming appearance at the DuQuoin State Fair Grandstand.

The band's August 27th performance was canceled over racial sensitivity concerns, the Pinckneyville Press reports. To be more specific -- somebody was triggered by the band's name. And to be even more specific, they were triggered by the word "Confederate."

"While every artist has a right to expression, we believe this decision is in the best interest of serving all of the people in our state," State Fair manager Josh Gross told the newspaper.

It's not exactly clear what prompted the banishment, but locals are pointing fingers at a political website called CaptiolFax.com.

On June 17 the website raised the issue of Confederate Railroad playing at a state-owned facility.

"Appropriate or not," the website asked.

"It's a band, not a Confederate statue," wrote one reader. "Let them play."

"The Confederate flag is a racist, traitorous symbol and the Confederacy was a racist, traitorous entity," wrote another person. "Nothing espousing its beliefs or its symbolism should be promoted or performing anywhere in the country, let alone the Land of Lincoln."

Confederate Railroad has not commented publicly about the state's decision. But they should hold the Illinois Department of Agriculture to the original contract and demand full payment.

I have an entire chapter in my new book on how the culture jihadists have all but taken over the country music industry. But never in my wildest days would I imagine that groups like Confederate Railroad would be sent packing. 

It won't be long before they start banning songs like "Sweet Home Alabama" and "What This World Needs is a Few More Rednecks."