Sarah Palin has a new book out, which means she’s in our faces and spouting nonsense more than usual outside of the confines of her Fox News habitat. So, I went looking for poll numbers to  illustrate her political irrelevance. Instead, I found something even more troubling.

A Public Policy Polling survey released last week asked three questions about teenagers wearing the Confederate flag and the gay-pride rainbow flag to school that struck me curious. But it was the responses that blew my mind. A symbol of hate is viewed as a more favorable apparel choice for teens than one of inclusion.

Q3 Do you think high school students should be
allowed to wear confederate flags to school, or
not?
Think they should…………………………………….43%
Think they should not……………………………….37%
Not sure…………………………………………………..19%
Q4 Do you think high school students should be
allowed to wear gay pride flags to school, or
not?
Think they should…………………………………….28%
Think they should not……………………………….57%
Not sure ………………………………………………….15%
Q5 Do you think it’s more appropriate for high
school students to wear gay pride flags or
confederate flags to school?
Gay pride flags…………………………………………..9%
Confederate flags ………………………………………38%
Not sure …………………………………………………..52%

Donning the flag of the treasonous Confederacy is perfectly okay with a plurality of those surveyed (43 percent to 37 percent). But an overwhelming majority (57 percent to 28 percent) don’t think the gay pride flag should be worn to school. As bad as that statistic is, this one is even worse: 38 percent think it is more appropriate for high school students to wear confederate flags to school. That’s 29 percent more than those who believe the rainbow flag is more appropriate. The majority (52 percent) were “not sure.”

Not sure?!

Folks, the Confederate flag is no better than a Swastika. It is a symbol of white supremacy, hate and oppression that has no place in American political discourse. That Kanye West wants to co-opt the rebel banner is as noble as it is futile. Meanwhile, the rainbow that is the gay pride flag symbolizes inclusion and acceptance. Oftentimes, usually in other countries, the words “pace” or “peace” can be found emblazoned on it. The rainbow flag is the very antithesis of the Confederate flag. That the latter is deemed more acceptable than the former is deplorable.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @Capehartj