Memphis Mayor Says He Won't Rename Parks (Associated Press)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The mayor of Memphis on Wednesday rejected calls to rename three parks that honor the Confederacy, saying the city should focus on being part of the New South and stop worrying about remnants of the Old South.

This story is being picked up all over the wires right now. Both sides are passionate on this one. The parks in question are: Forrest Park, named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, Confederate Park and Jefferson Davis Park. The protesters are threatening on calling out the big guns, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Those critics, many of whom are black, argue that the parks should not honor figures who supported slavery and fought to destroy the Union.

Others, including the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a Southern heritage group, and some of Forrest's descendants, argue that the parks represent a key part of the city's history and should be left alone.

The Mayor's position?

Herenton said he will ask the City Council to give the parks to the University of Tennessee and a nonprofit corporation helping develop the city's riverfront. The park bearing Forrest's name is beside the campus of the university's medical school.

If the university or the development corporation want to rename the parks, "that's their decision," the mayor said.

Dump this problem on someone else. A true politician!