Robert E. Lee on Abolition

Again, for those that think they know it all......think again

So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained.

General Robert E. Lee, May 1, 1870

Taking for granted

Tonight I took my youngest daughter with me to order and pick up dinner for the family. Understand that this is somewhat rare, as she is usually otherwise occupied with the preoccupations of a five year old. Tonight, however, I came to realize just how amazing she is - her birth pulled my wife back from a bad place, and drastically changed my perspective on too many things to list. All I can really say is " thank heaven for little girls", and please don't grow up too fast honey......

Holy Crap - newspaper admits that it was wrong!!

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2009/10/20/opinion/072op01hardlessonsy09.txt

This is almost shocking that anyone in the modern new media could actually admit that their opinion was wrong & that they freely admit it......that never happens these days - mad kudos to the news tribune

Salud

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were ever our countrymen." Samuel Adams, 1776

Thomas Jefferson on the right to keep and bear arms

Not just a right, but also responsibility

'We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves, in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved,) or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed;' -- Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824.

Extended thoughts on the Civil War

Just something quick to ponder - the north forced the southern states out of secession and back into the union. exactly what is the difference between this and a husband forcing an unwilling wife to stay in a bad marriage just because he doesn't think it is bad????

Lincoln & Racism....

The following quote is not one that I agree with. I believe that there is no significant genetic difference between the various races that populate the earth that results in significant differences in capabilities. It is my firm belief that the differences are entirely cultural, and it is those cultural differences that hold some people back and move others forward. I post this quote as a check on those that claim that Lincoln was enlightened - he was not....

“I will say;, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races: that I am not , nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will for ever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.” - Abraham Lincoln, September 5th, 1858

what happened to the middle ground?

I have been thinking today about why we as a people (Americans) have become so polarized. Feels an awful lot like the middle is disappearing and it's former inhabitants are moving either to the left or the right. Precious little left in between. my thoughts have led me to the conclusion that this is an inevitable consequence of politicians on both the left and the right hinging their positions on wedge issues. seems that this has a cumulative effect over time - i.e. the left drives their electoral wedges focusing on their issues, as does the right, forcing a demonization of any holding an opposing position. Soon enough these wedges become larger than the bonds holding folks together and we wind up where we are today. I have spoken with many people over the last few years that have reached the point of not being willing to even associate with "red staters" or "blue staters". Seems the only exception to this pattern was for a few months after 9/11 when we all had a common enemy.

A country can't hold together with such polar opposites trading the hold on the reigns, and a near 50/50 split in how the populace views the country and the world.......