The Foundation of our Country

*A note to all readers, this is going to be a post of just my opinions. Most of the expression are being made off emotion and not necessarily used with logic.*

Today, the Senate voted 66-34 on the proposed amendment to making burning the flag not protected by the First Amendment. The measure needed only one more vote to pass and go to the states for ratification.

Fact of the Matter

The fact of the matter on this situation is that for the thirty four Senators who voted against this, I say SHAME! When it comes to our flag, protecting it should be something that transcends both political parties, both left and right wingers, liberals and conservatives. So, for those wondering, here are the people who voted against a bill to preserve a symbol of our nation. You can see this through www.senate.gov

Akaka (D-HI)Bennett (R-UT)Biden (D-DE)Bingaman (D-NM)Boxer (D-CA)Byrd (D-WV)Cantwell (D-WA)Carper (D-DE)Chafee (R-RI)Clinton (D-NY)Conrad (D-ND)Dodd (D-CT)Dorgan (D-ND)Durbin (D-IL)Feingold (D-WI)Harkin (D-IA)Inouye (D-HI)Jeffords (I-VT)Kennedy (D-MA)Kerry (D-MA)Kohl (D-WI)Lautenberg (D-NJ)Leahy (D-VT)Levin (D-MI)Lieberman (D-CT)McConnell (R-KY)Mikulski (D-MD)Murray (D-WA)Obama (D-IL)Pryor (D-AR)Reed (D-RI)Sarbanes (D-MD)Schumer (D-NY)Wyden (D-OR)

In looking at the states that these individuals represent, it is interesting to note how much has changed. Think about Durbin and Obama. They represent Illinois. Who came from that state and I buried there? Abraham Lincoln! This is a man who wanted to preserve the nation. In addition to this, he refused to remove the stars that represented the South. Would he be proud of these Senators? I doubt it. And then there is the People’s Republic corner of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut that voted this down. That portion of the country has been nothing but trouble since the beginning of this nation. If it were up to me, and all sane voters out there who love the country, those thirty four people would be out of a job at the next election, tarred, feathered, and be declared UN-American, but that is just my opinion.

In reading some of the posts online about this issue, it is interesting to see what people think. For instance, I agree very highly with what Mason Conservative said on the subject. However, there are others who argue burning the flag should be protected by freedom of speech. The prevalent argument is that if this amendment were to pass, then we would see our own ability to have freedom of speech pulled back. Now, I have already argued once about responsibility with free speech. We talk about it, but the fact is free speech is greatly limited already because society does not tolerate certain aspects of the speech that is in use by the public. I have even read one blogger say that those who burn the flag are true patriots and live up the ideals of the Founding Fathers.

In looking at the country today, I can’t help but think of an interview I read about Kurt Angle. Angle won the 1996 gold medal wrestling at the Olympics in Atlanta. He had said that after 9/11, everyone was wearing red, white, and blue. Before that, it wasn’t seen as a cool thing. As he recalled, most people really didn’t care about wearing those colors after the early 90’s. From where I stand, I have noticed changes in society that I for one am not too happy to see.

I remember back when I was a student in school, everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance. Now, when I say the Pledge in homeroom, I look at my students and can hear only one voice saying it, MY OWN! Most of these kids stand there with their arms at their sides, not caring about their flag or their country. The mere sight of this is sickening. Now usually if I look, a few will put their hands over their hearts and that will make me feel better, but not always. One of the key elements of the Pledge is to show our loyalty to our own country. Our flag represents our country. Of course, we now have people who hate the Pledge because of the words “Under God” is in it. For those people, grow up. No child really cares about that. And remember, the Founding Fathers used the name of God when creating this country.

Another thing that is hurting us is the damned “I’m a minority. Give me something.” You know what, boo hoo hoo. I am of the opinion you are rewarded based off merits. I had one student fume at me and vent out frustration at the fact that because she was white, had a high GPA, lots of extracurricular stuff, and she couldn’t go to the top colleges she wanted to that were on her list. However, a minority student with a much lower GPA DID get into one of those schools.
One of the great problems we have today is Affirmative Action. The best and the brightest should be able to go to school. It isn’t as if we have a shortage of colleges and universities in this country. Did you know that in Virginia, if you maintain a 3.0 GPA in Northern Virginia Community College, after two years you can transfer to any state school and be automatically admitted? So you take a longer route. Ok, you will still get a college education. What is so bloody annoying with all of this is that people will take advantage of however small amount of minority that might be in them. If you are just part Hispanic, check that box off and you are going up in that list to go to college.

Let me tell y’all something, I am part Hispanic, but I never checked that box off. Which brings me to another point, why do we need to distinct ourselves? Do we really need to be identified as Hispainc Americans, African American, Native American, or any other type of American. NO! We are AMERICANS! Let’s all say it together now: AMERICAN. It’s not that hard of a word to say on its own.

I guess the whole point of this post is that from where I am standing, it seems that the foundations of this country are being eroded away by liberals and left wing nuts. Every time we call them on it, they then hide behind the things they are trying to break down. It is a classic ploy used by these people. Take the flag burning. Jim Webb says he was against the amendment and cites a few other veterans who agree with him. Well, Mr. Webb, you may have served and we salute you for it, but that doesn’t mean you get more of a say as to whether or not the people of this country are wrong if they want to protect the flag from desecration.

In the end, it all comes down to one simple point: What kind of America do we want to live in: one which still enshrines values and history or one that says we will go with whatever is popular to dissent against?

But before we all leave, let's say it together:














I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC
FOR WHICH IT STANDS
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
INDIVISIBLE
WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE
FOR ALL.

Freedom of Speech and Responsibility

In a story released by the Associated Press, Representative Peter King (R. NY) is calling for the Bush Administration to press criminal charges against newspapers which release national security information to the public. Citing the New York Times specifically and their article about the CIA tracking terrorist funds. King plans to write to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and recommend “an investigation and prosecution of the New York Times-the reporters, the editors, and the publishers. We‘re at war, and for the Times to release information about secret operations and methods is treasonous.” King would also go on to say that he felt the Times was, “more concerned about a left wing elitist agenda than it is about the security of the American people.”

This particular article comes off the heels of a previous article in which Democrats questions the validity of the CIA looking into international funds and whether or not it will violate people’s privacy. As the Associated Press reported, the Treasury Department obtained permission to use SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, which is a database that tracks financial messages in more than 200 countries.

There is seemingly two issues that are at the heart of this topic. The first is privacy and if the CIA can actually go into the financial records. Since the Treasury Department got permission to use this database, and the CIA is only tracking international funds to suspected terrorists, the privacy of the majority of people in the world is rather well protected. The second is the issue of Freedom of Speech. Should the press be allowed to publish information like this for all to see, including terrorists? For some people, the answer is no. However, others, like Rep. King, feel that this is an issue of national security. Attorney General Gonzales also agrees that the First Amendment’s freedom of the press does not apply when the interests of national security are in play.

Fact of the Matter

The fact of the matter on this is that sometimes we need to know things and other times we don’t. For instance, I love hamburgers. Anyone who knows me knows that my guilty pleasure is Wendy’s # 3 Biggie Size. Now, I love that meal, but I sure as heck do not want to know how the burger patties are made. The same could be said about fighting terrorism. We like the idea that the bad guys are being taken care of, in one way or another, but do we really want to know how every little detail is done?

Because our government is supposed to be an open one, certainly the public has a right to know what our leaders our doing. The issue I have is where do we draw the line. One of the greatest problems I have seen as of late in this country is that a number of people say things and when they are challenged on it, they hide behind the mantle of Freedom of Speech. Yes, our government does allow us to have this. However, with this freedom come a high degree of responsibility. If a person is going to say something, in my opinion, they bloody well better be able to back it up!

John Milton once said, “People prefer bondage with ease than strenuous liberty.” We say we have freedom of speech, but is that really true? Can I scream fire in a movie theater because I feel like it? Of course not, the mere thought of it is absurd. I am sure all of you now are saying that one would never do such a thing. Still, we can’t say it. We have language rules for television because we must be considerate when it comes to the viewers of certain programs, thus no cursing on television. So what does this have to do with the press?

Well, the answer is even the press needs to learn responsibility. They can hide behind the mantle of freedom of speech and the need to tell their readers the important facts, but at the expense of other people’s lives and jobs. Investigations take time and there are many people who work on these particular jobs. If one reporter comes out and says these people are doing these things, then the secrecy of their job is compromised and the people the investigators are after are now tipped off.

Another problem we seem to have is that the media, or at least most of them, seem to have an agenda where they want to “get the President.” If this were happening and a Democrat was President, do I dare say, the same kind of reaction would be made by those that, as I have just seen, call Representative Peter King coo coo, or other Republicans evil, and other nasty little names? I highly doubt it. In fact, I believe this is nothing more than harsh politics at the expense of the main objective: eliminating terrorism.

As Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the times that tries men’s souls.” Let us hope SOME PEOPLE learn a little more responsibility with their use of freedom of speech.

The Battle of Little Big Horn

This was originally posted on Red State by the member "streiff" and I think it is a pretty good piece. Opinions anyone?

Sunday, June 25, 1876.

Little Big Horn River, Montana

In preparation to attack a large encampment of Sioux and allied tribes, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer divided the 7th Cavalry into three battalions.

He accompanied the largest battalion commanded by Captain George Yates, who also commanded Company F. It consisted of 13 officers and 198 troopers from Troops C (Captain Tom Custer, commanding and LTC Custer's brother and two time Medal of Honor winner), E (First Lieutenant Algernon Smith), F (Captain George Yates), I (Captain Miles Keogh), and L (1LT James Calhoun, LTC Custer's brother-in-law).

Major Marcus Reno led the 11 officers and 131 troopers from Troops A (Captain Myles Moylan), G (First Lieutenant Donald McIntosh), and M (Captain Thomas French). In addition he was accompanied by some 35 Indian scouts and guides.

Captain Frederick Benteen, simultaneously commanding Troop H, led the 5 officers and 110 troopers from Troops D (Captain Thomas Weir), H (Captain Frederick Benteen), and K (First Lieutenant Edward Godfrey).

Captain Thomas MacDougal commanded B Troop which guarded the pack train and composed 2 officer, 127 troopers and 7 civilian mule skinners.

By the end of the day all the men accompanying Custer, save Trumpter Giovanni Martini, aka John Martin, would be dead. The remainder would be fighting for their lives.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn has been portrayed as the largest victory the American Indian ever celebrated over the forces of the United States, either before or after Independence. It wasn't. The thrashing Arthur St. Clair received at the hands of Little Turtle's Miami Confederacy holds that honor.

In many ways the Little Big Horn holds clues as to how the global war on terrorism could play out. In historical context, the growing American republic had been in conflict with the Plains Indians for about twenty years. They won periodic victories, the uprising in Minnesota in 1863, the Fetterman massacre, the treaty negotiated by Red Cloud that closed the Bozeman Trail. These victories were hollow, bringing only brief respite before yet another onset of settlers, railroads, and telegraph poles. Without stretching an already stretched analogy, a tribal society clinging to ancient ways simply lacked the means to survive the onslaught of modernity.
A society in which the clans and families which made up the tribe relied upon their men for defense and hunting simply did not have the cohesion to withstand the losses an industrial society was prepared to accept as the cost of doing business. Incredible personal courage, like that routinely exhibited by the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers was simply no match for modern firearms and men who approached war as an engineering problem rather than as a contest of heroes.

I suppose some in 1876 would argue as some do today that we are not engaged in a clash of civilizations. I have pondered this for some five years now and have concluded, sadly, that we are indeed engaged in such a clash. Just as a tribal society which viewed warfare as a rite of manhood and theft of livestock a game could not coexist with farmers, ranchers, and miners, so, too, it is difficult to conceive of a world in which civilization as it is recognized in industrialized, First World, if you will, societies can coexist with a civilization which abhors its basic philosophy.
But even while we are at war we should take a brief moment an remember those young men, on both sides, who struggled for the supremacy of their way of life under the blazing Montana sun 130 years ago.

The Fallen

Adams George E. PVT KIA Co.L * Allan Fred E. PVT KIA Co.C ** Armstrong John E PVT KIA Co.A * Assadaly Anthony PVT KIA Co.L * Atchison Thomas PVT KIA Co.F * Babcock Elmer PVT KIA Co.L * Bailey Henry A.Saddler KIA Co.I * Baker William H. PVT KIA Co.E * Barry John PVT KIA Co.I * Barth Robert PVT KIA Co.E * Bloody Knife PVT KIA Guide * Bob Tailed Bull PVT KIA Indian Scout * Botzer Edward SGT KIA Co.G * Bouyer Mitch PVT KIA Interpreter/ Indian Scout * Boyle Owen PVT KIA Co.E * Brady William PVT KIA Co.F * Brightfield John PVT KIA Co.C * Brandon Benjamin Farrier KIA Co.F * BroDhurst Joseph H. PVT KIA Co.I * Brown Benjamin Franklin PVT KIA Co.F * Brown George C. CPL KIA Co.E * Brown William PVT KIA Co.F * Bruce Patrick PVT KIA Co.F * Bucknell Thomas J. Trumpeters KIA Co.C * Burke John PVT KIA Co.L * Burnham Lucien PVT KIA Co.F * Bustard James SGT KIA Co.I * Butler James 1SGT KIA Co.L * Calhoun James 1LT KIA Co.C * Callahan John J. CPL KIA Co. K * Carney James PVT KIA Co.F * Cashan William SGT KIA Co.L * Cather Armantheus D. PVT KIA Co.F * Charley Vincent Farrier KIA Co.D * Cheever Ami PVT KIA Co.L * Clear Elihu F. PVT KIA Co.K * Coleman Charles CPL KIA Co.F * Connor Edward PVT KIA Co.E * Connors Thomas PVT KIA Co.I * Considine Martin SGT KIA Co.G * Cooke William Winer 1LT KIA Staff * Criddle Christopher PVT KIA Co.C * Crisfield William B. PVT KIA Co.L * Crittenden John Jordan 2LT KIA Attached 20th Infantry Co.L * Custer Boston Civilian KIA Guide * Custer George Armstrong LTC KIA Staff * Custer Thomas Ward CPT KIA Co.C * Dalious James CPL KIA Co. A * Davis William PVT KIA Co.E * DeWolf James M. Attached KIA Acting Assistant Surgeon * Dohman Anton PVT KIA Co.F * Donnelly Timothy PVT KIA Co.F * Dorman Isaiah Civilian Indian Interpreter KIA * Dorn Richard B. PVT KIA Co.B * Dose Henry C. Trumpeter KIA Co.G * Downing Thomas P. PVT KIA Co.I * Drinan Jarnes PVT KIA Co.A * Driscoll Edward C. PVT KIA Co.I * Duggan John PVT KIA Co.L * Dye William PVT KIA Co.L * Eiseman George PVT KIA Co.C * Engle Gustave PVT KIA Co.C * Farrand James PVT KIA Co.C * Farrell Richard PVT KIA Co.E * Finckle August SGT KIA Co.C * Finley Jeremiah SGT KIA Co.C * Asylum Foley John CPL KIA Co.C * French Henry Eldon CPL KIA Co.C * Galvan James J. PVT KIA Co.L * Gardner William PVT KIA Co.F * Gilbert William H. CPL KIA Co.L * Gillette David C. PVT KIA Co.I * Golden Patrick PVT KIA Co.D * Gordon Henry PVT KIA Co.M * Gordon Thomas A. PVT Co.K * Graham Charles PVT KIA Co.L * Graham Thomas PVT Co.G * Griffin Patrick PVT KIA Co.C * Gross George H. PVT KIA Co.I * Hagan Thomas CPL KIA Co.E * Hagemann Otto CPL KIA Co.G * Hamilton Henry PVT KIA Co.L * Hammon George W. PVT KIA Co.F * Harrington Henry Moore 2LT KIA Co.C * Harrington Weston PVT KIA Co.L * Harrison William H. CPL KIA Co.L * Hathersall Jarnes PVT KIA Co.C * Haugge Louis PVT KIA Co.L * Hawell George Saddler KIA Co.C * Heath William H. Farrier KIA Co.L * Heim John PVT KIA Co.E * Helmer Julius PVT KIA Co.K * Henderson John PVT KIA Co.E * Henderson Sykes PVT KIA Co.E * Hetesimer Dam PVT KIA Co.I * Hieber William PVT KIA Co.E * Hiley John S. PVT KIA Co.E * Hodgson Benjamin Hubert 2LT KIA Co.B * Hohmeyer Frederick 1SGT KIA Co.E * Holcomb Edward P. PVT KIA Co.I * Horn Marion E. PVT KIA Co.I * Housen Edward PVT KIA Co.D * Hughes Francis T. PVT KIA Co.L * Hughes Robert H. SGT KIA Co.K * James William B. SGT KIA Co.E * Jones Julien D. CPL KIA Co.H * Kavanagh Thomas G. PVT KIA Co.L * Kelley Patrick PVT KIA Co.I * Kelly John P. PVT KIA Co.F * Kellogg Mark KIA Newspaper Reporter * Kenney Michael 1SGT KIA Co.F * Keogh Myles Walter.CPT KIA Co.I * Klein Gustav PVT KIA Co.F * Kleiner Nicholas PVT Co.F Detached Service * Klotzbucher Henry PVT KIA Co.M * Knauth Herman PVT KIA Co.F * Knecht Andy PVT KIA Co.E * Kramer William Trumpeter KIA Co.C * Lehman Henry PVT KIA Co.I * Lell George CPL KIA Co.H * Lerock William H. PVT KIA Co.F * Lewis John PVT KIA Co.C * Liddiard Herod T. PVT KIA Co.E * Liemann Werner L. PVT KIA Co.F * Lloyd Edward W. PVT KIA Co.I * Lobering Louis PVT KIA Co.L * Lorentz George PVT KIA Co.M * Lossee William A. PVT KIA Co.F * Mack George B. PVT KIA Co.B * Mahoney Berthol PVT KIA Co.L * Mann Frank C. Chief Packer KIA Packing Animals * Mason Henry S. CPL KIA Co.E * Mathey Edward Gustave 1LT Co.M * Maxwell Thomas E. PVT KIA Co.L * Meyer William D. PVT KIA Co.M * Miller John PVT KIA Co.L * Milton Francis E PVT KIA Co.F * Mitchell John PVT KIA Co.I * Monroe Joseph PVT KIA Co. F * Moody William PVT KIA Co.A * Moore Andrew J. PVT KIA Co.G * Morris George C. CPL KIA Co.I * McCarthy Charles PVT KIA Co.L * McDonald James PVT KIA Co.A * McDonnell John PVT Co.G * McElroy Thomas Trumpeter KIA Co.E * McGucker John Trumpter KIA Co.I * McGue Peter PVT KIA Co.L * McGuiness John J. PVT KIA Co.G * McIntosh Donald 1LT KIA Co. G * McIlhargey Archibald PVT KIA Co.I * Noshang Jacob PVT KIA Co.I * Nursey Frederick SGT KIA Co.F * O’Bryan John PVT KIA Co.I * O’Connell David J. PVT KIA Co.L * O’Connor Patrick PVT KIA Co.E * Ogden John S. SGT KIA Co.E * O’Hara Miles F. SGT KIA Co.M * Omling Sebastian PVT KIA Co.F * Parker John PVT KIA Co.I * Patton John W. Trumpter KIA Co.I * Perkins Charles Saddler KIA Co.L * Phillips Edgar PVT KIA Co.C * Pitter Felix James. PVT KIA Co. I * Porter James Ezekiel 1LT KIA Co. I * Porter George PVT KIA Co.I * Quinn James PVT KIA Co.I * Rapp John PVT KIA Co.G * Rauter John PVT KIA Co.C * Reed Harry Armstrong Civilian KIA * Reed William PVT KIA Co.I * Rees William H. PVT KIA Co.E * Reibold Christian PVT KIA Co.L * Reily William Van Wyck 2LT KIA Co.E * Reynolds Charles Alexander Civilian KIA Chief Scout * Rix Edward PVT KIA Co.C * Roberts Henry PVT KIA Co.L * Rogers Benjamin F. PVT KIA Co.G * Rogers Walter B. PVT KIA Co.L * Rollins Richard PVT KIA Co.A * Rood Edward PVT KIA Co.E * Rossbury John W. PVT KIA Co.I * Rudden Patrick PVT KIA Co.F * Russell James Henry PVT KIA Co.C * Ryan Daniel CPL KIA Co.C * Saunders Richard PVT KIA Co.F * Schele Henry PVT KIA Co.E * Schmidt Charles PVT KIA Co.L * Scollin Henry M. CPL KIA Co.M * Scott Charles PVT KIA Co.L * Seafferman Henry PVT KIA Co.G * Seiler John CPL KIA Co.L * Selby Crawford Saddler KIA Co.G * Shade Samuel S. PVT KIA Co.C * Sharrow William H. SGM KIA Staff * Shea Jeremiah PVT KIA Co.B * Short Nathan PVT KIA Co.C * Siefous Francis W. PVT KIA Co.F * Siemon Charles Blacksmith KIA Co.L * Siemanson Bent PVT KIA Co.L * Smallwood William PVT KIA Co.E * Smith Albert A. PVT KIA Co.E * Smith Algernon Emory 1LT KIA Co. A * Smith George E. PVT KIA Co.M * Smith James #1. PVT KIA Co.E * Smith James #2 PVT KIA Co.E * Snow Andrew PVT KIA Co.L * Stafford Benjamin F. PVT KIA Co.E * Stanley Edward PVT KIA Co.G * Staples Samuel S. CPL KIA Co.I * Stella Alexander PVT KIA Co.E * St. John Ludwick PVT KIA Co.C * Streing Frederick CPL KIA Co.M * Stuart Alpheus PVT KIA Co.C * Stungewitz Ygnatz PVT KIA Co.C * Sturgis James Garland 2LT KIA Co.M * Sullivan John PVT KIA Co.A * Summers David PVT KIA Co.M * Sweetzer Thomas P. PVT KIA Co.A * Symms Darwin L. PVT KIA Co.I * Tanner James J. PVT KIA Co.M * Tarbox Byron L. PVT KIA Co.L * Teeman William (actually Adams, William A) CPL KIA Co.F * Tessier Edward D. PVT KIA Co.L * Thadus John PVT KIA Co.C * Torrey William A. PVT KIA Co.E * Troy James E. PVT KIA Co.I * Turley Henry PVT KIA Co.M * Tweed Thomas S. PVT KIA Co.L * Van Allan Garrett PVT KIA Co.C * Van Sant Cornelius PVT KIA Co.E * Varden Frank E. 1SGT KIA Co.I * Vetter Michael PVT KIA Co.L * Vickory John SGT KIA Co.F * Voigt Henry C. PVT KIA Co.M * Von Bramer Charles PVT KIA Co.I * Voss Henry Chief Trumpeter KIA Staff * Walker George PVT KIA Co.E * WalshFrederick Trumpeter KIA Co.L * Warner Oscar T. PVT KIA Co.C * Warren Amos B. SGT KIA Co.L * Warren George A. PVT KIA Co.F * Wells Benjamin J. Farrier KIA Co.G * Whaley William B. PVT KIA Co.I * Wild John CPL KIA Co. I * Wilkison John R. SGT KIA Co.F * Winney DeWitt 1SGT KIA Co.K * Wright Willis B. PVT KIA Co.C * Wyman Henry PVT KIA Co.C * Yates George Walter CPT KIA Co. F

Questions on Washington

In the coming weeks, I will be involved with a television program that will be looking at the life of George Washington. As such, I have been give ten questions which will most likely be asked, but depending on time, a couple of them could be cut from the program. However, since it might be hard for some readers to go ahead and watch the program (date to be announced), I figured I would post four of the questions and let you know more or less what my answers are going to be. Enjoy!

Q: Lets look at Washington’s military record. It’s probably a good thing that Washington didn’t live in an age of 24-7 television cable news. As I understand it, Washington lost almost every battle he was in and it was the French who saved the day for the American Revolution. Was Washington a military incompetent?

A: It is true that Washington’s military record was LESS than stellar. When the French and Indian War began, the young Washington only had one military book on tactics under his belt along with fencing lessons. The incident at Fort Necessity was certainly one of Washington’s most disastrous moments as a leader, but he would redeem himself with the successful retreat of Braddock’s forces after the general was mortally wounded. In looking at the entire career of Washington, I contend that he was actually inhibited by the presences of all other European officers around him. In fact, if you look at the battle he won and compared them to the battles he lost, it is interesting to note who IS and who IS NOT there. At the battles of Trenton and Princeton, Washington does not have a Horatio Gates or Charles Lee nagging him. As a result, he commands with his own decisions. By having those influences out of the way, I think Washington was able to be the type of commander he wanted to be instead of the traditional European officer.

Q: As I understand it, Washington went from being a kind of poor hustler to becoming Father of his Country and one of the greatest historical figures of all time. How do you account for this transformation?

A: Washington was never, by any stretch of the imagination, a poor hustler. In fact, the Washington family was one fo the oldest families in Virginia, right along there with the Masons, Randolphs, and Carters. When Washington was born, his father Augustine Washington was move up in the social world. By the time Augustine died, he was only a few years away from moving the Washington family up into the upper tier of the Virginia gentry. As such, the Washington family would have become more influential in Virginia politics. However, the transformation of Washington being the English gentleman planter to a revolutionary to an American is one where a great deal of it comes with the political climate of the country. Washington certainly saw himself as a second class citizen during the French and Indian War when it came to British treatment of colonials. In between the wars, Washington felt that most Britons did not see their American brethren as one and the same. During the Revolution, Washington developed the American identity by realizing that after all the fighting that had been done thus far, there was no going back to being a colony. It was all or nothing. I believe, though, if you want to pinpoint the moment where Washington stands out above all other, look at the Newburgh Conspiracy. With his officers ready to rebel and make Washington king, it is Washington who single handedly stops this coup from occurring with one sentence. He said, “Forgive me gentlemen, not only have I gone gray in the service of my country, but I fear also blind.” At this point, he took his glasses out and put them on. The devotion of one man is what proved that this country was worth fighting for and creating. It is an awe inspiring moment and one people need to think about.

Q: What did Washington have to say about parties and factions?

A: Washington was not a fan of political parties or factions. Indeed, for him, they were the worst thing that could possibly happen for the United States. When he started his presidency, he was certainly an independent. However, by the time the man did retire from public service, it is clear he was a Federalist. I believe Washington ended up being part of a political party namely because it is almost like a natural order of things. When it comes to different situations, no one is ever going to agree on every little detail that is out there. As such, people take sides. I believe Washington ended up going that way by becoming part of a political party because he was going to have to take a stand on issues and those stands mirrored the views of political parties.

Q: I’m going to ask you to do a little alternative history….what would have happened if there had been no George Washington?

A: That is a tough question. A question like that is like asking this people to do this: imagine George Washington naked. It is impossible to do for most people. Indeed, if you get a class room of students to close their eyes and try to do it, they will open their eyes and have a look of horror on their face because you asked them to do it. It was once believed that when Washington was born, he was born with a suit of clothes on and a powdered wig. Once out of his mother, he gave a bow and went upon doing his regular business. If the question were to be answered, I suppose it all comes down to when you want to take Washington out of the picture. (1) If he was never born, or died as an infant, we would most likely still be part of the British Empire. (2) If he died in 1753 while returning to Williamsburg from Fort Le Boeuf, again the answer would take you back to the last one I gave. (3) If his half brother Lawrence Washington had never died, it is difficult to say what would have happened from there. Lawrence would have had a powerful influence on the young Washington and may have been able to be the calming wind to any storm that might have blown into the sails of the young Virginian. (4) More importantly, what if Augustine Washington lived a longer life? If that were to have happened, Washington most likely would have received an education in Scotland and might not have joined the Revolutionary cause. Indeed, he may never have set the ball into motion be not being at Jummonville Glen and thus starting the French and Indian War. As you can see, there are four examples right there and a multitude more to come. I believe in the end, Washington was placed on this Earth for the very reason of bringing into the world this new government and society. If he were not here, I dare say the world would be a VERY different place.

News on WMDs

Breaking news shows that once again the administration was on the right path when talking about our presence being involved with Iraq. As we all know, the big issue that many people have been going on about now has been the issue of WMDs. Many critics of the war have cited no sign of these weapons and that Saddam never had them. Now critics are going to need to eat a little bit of crow. Recently declassified information shows that coalition forces have discovered up to 500 weapons that were once used by Saddam and his forces. More importantly, there weapons were never found during the many years of weapons inspections done by the “ever so trusting” United Nations.

Click for the full report: http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/Iraq_WMD_Declassified.pdf

Fact of the Matter

The fact of the matter is people nowadays have absolutely no patience. Our wonderful technological age has seemingly created a generation of people who expect to get things twenty minutes before they thought they needed it. It has been three years since we invaded Iraq and deposed the former dictator. During that time, we have captured the leader, killed his sons, and have taken out a number of leaders of major resistance groups throughout the country. In addition to this, a new government has been built and the people of Iraq are experiencing freedom. While we shouldn’t start dancing in the street, I do believe it is high time a number of people begin to take a step back and begin to look at all information before they start to judge te administration.

We're Off The Road To...Altoona?

Well, tomorrow Mason Conservative's little brother is getting married. Throughout the week, I have been given quotes and words of advice for the young groom about marriage. While all were hilarious, I think I will use my own intelligence and charm to create a few words of wisdom for the couple. As such, I am off to Altoona. Extra credit points for those that can identify the state it is in and the major cities near it!

A Brief History of Professional Wrestling (because I was bored and wanted to present something new to the blogosphere)

The year was 1905. In New York City, at Madison Square Garden, George Hackenschmidt defeated Tom Jenkins in two straight falls to become what has been recognized as the first ever World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. While some folks contend that regional wrestling champions can be dated back even further, most consider this particular match to be the dawn of what has been seen as American profession wrestling. For this particular post, I want to look at this industry and give a brief understanding of how it got to where it is today.

For the next forty five years, a number of famous wrestlers would come to the scene. These men include the likes of Frank Gotch, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Stanislaus Zbyszko, Joe Stretcher, Jim Londos,

However, in 1948, the National Wrestling Alliance is formed. While the first champion of the organization was Orville Brown, Lou Thesz would eventually become the real face of the NWA as World Heavyweight Champion by 1950. The whole principal behind the NWA was that each wrestling territory in the United States would operate independently, but that the NWA Champion would travel to each territory and defend the title there. What was most unique about being the NWA Champion was that the only way you were going to become champion was to be voted champion by the Championship Committee. So it was always in the best interest of each territorial wrestler to do their best, draw big crowds, and put on great matches to get the attention of the committee.

In 1952, the first big pay off to the industry was made as Lou Thesz battled Baron Michele Leone. The most notable part of this night was that the gate collected over $100,000 dollars. This was a rare thing to do at this time. It must be noted that wrestlers were only paid small amounts of money. To be a wrestler full time and do nothing else was a very gutsy thing to do, namely because you were never guaranteed a good, solid pay check.

Now, one would be remiss in not mentioning the name of Gorgeous George Wagner. This is the man virtually all wrestlers today have to, in some way, pay homage to. The reason is this man brought into existence a certain degree of theatrics to wrestling. He dyed his hair blonde, came out to the ring in expensive robes, beautiful women, and a persona that could not be matched.

As mentioned before, if a committee chose who would be champion, sooner or later someone would get ticked off and decided to break off from the NWA. Sure enough, the WWA (World Wrestling Association) decided they wanted to split off and have their own world title. On June 14, 1957, Edouard Carpentier defeated Lou Thesz for the NWA Title. The Championship Committee, however, said that Thesz never lost the title because the match was stopped due to injury. As a result, Thesz got the title back.

Carpentier would be recognized by disgruntled territories as the NWA Champion and he would travel to these different places and lose the title over and over and over again, thus setting up multiple world titles in the United States.

The most notable breakaway from the NWA occurred in 1963. The Northeast promoters were not thrilled when Lou Thesz defeated “The Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers for the NWA Title in a single fall bout. Tradition had always had the matches go for a two out of three fall match. As a result, the Northeast became the World Wide Wrestling Federation, naming Rogers their world champion.

Rogers would lose the title to Bruno Sammartino on May 17, 1963, in a match that lasted only 48 seconds. After that night, Sammartino would reign for nearly eight years. Sammartino was the ultimate champion for the WWWF. He was the Italian immigrant who could bring in the crowds to New York City. By the time he did lose the title, fans were so stunned that their hero lost, the crowd was dead silent when the referee raised the hand of Ivan Koloff. Sammartino would later comment that he thought his hearing was destroyed at some point during the match because of the crowd reaction.

As is the result of survival of the fittest, the territories found themselves beginning to break away from the NWA and try to become stronger than the NWA.

By 1980, there were three major promotions in the United States: WWF (World Wrestling Federation), NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), and the AWA (American Wrestling Association). The wars that would follow from this would be massive. The first victim was AWA. Both NWA and WWF raided the company and took their talent away from them. In fact, the big coup of professional wrestling occurred on January 23, 1984. On that night, Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik for the title. Before the match was to occur, Verne Gagne, owner of AWA, called the Iron Sheik and asked to break Hogan’s leg and come to the AWA with the WWF belt. Sheik refused to do it and would continue to remain loyal to the McMahon family.

In 1985, the first Wrestlemania was presented on pay per view. On this night, wrestling history was being rewritten. Two years later, the history of old school professional wrestling was washed away in WWF history as it was billed at Wrestlemania 3 that Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant had never met before in a match. Contrary to popular belief, the two men had met in a classic match in 1980. By not acknowledging this, Bruno Sammartino was erased from history and his legacy was gone.

For the NWA, life could not be any worse than it was by 1990. With so many of the old territories being bought up by Vince McMahon and the WWF, the NWA was being phased out of one territory by having its belt being referred to as the WCW (World Championship Wrestling) Heavyweight Title. In September 1993, WCW pulled out of the NWA, effectively cutting off the title from television.

With WCW and WWF, wrestling fans would be given a six year Monday night war as to the shows battled each other for supremacy. WWF Monday Night Raw versus WCW Monday Night Nitro would create ratings that would go from end to the other. During 1996-1997, Nitro dominated Raw, but by 1998, Raw began to rally back. A new generation of stars were coming into the company and giving the fans everything they wanted. Instead of having old wrestling matches, storylines were created, sex and violence were brought onto the screen, and people were given an outlet for their most carnal pleasures.

However, one organization that broke away from the NWA initially started the switch to the trends we see today. In 1994, ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) was created. As the name indicated, the extreme nature of the promotion gave fans a new outlet to watch wrestlers push the limits of their bodies and deliver new types of matches. Although ECW was more of a cult following when it came to the fans, a number of people came out of the company who would go on to bigger and better successes.

In 2001, both WCW and ECW would collapse. There are multiple reasons for their downfall, but the primary reasons are the same thing: television and money. WCW no longer had a network while ECW had no money. WWF remained on top. In 2002, the company changed its name to WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and has recently re-launched ECW.

The new ECW was launched, in my opinion, as an attempt to combat the introduction of TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling. In 2002, the NWA would have a new territory introduce itself and become NWA TNA. This company, owned by the Jarrett family, combined three major pillars of professional wrestling with three of its stars: traditional wrestling in Jeff Jarrett, hardcore wrestling in Raven, and high flying action in AJ Styles.

The future of professional wrestling is unknown. However, its history is very rich. While this is a small outline of it, I guarantee, the rest of it has stories that will make your eyes widen when you hear all about it.

The Line In The Sand

“There are only two sides to this question. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war; only patriots and traitors.” -Stephen Douglas

Kudos to Mason Conservative and the quote he pulled from Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power by Richard Carwardine. While the quote refers to Democrats and their views on the Civil War, one cannot help but feel this quote is applicable to today more than ever. The other day, there was an anti war rally. Attending the event were Senators Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. Clinton spoke of how we cannot cut and run from Iraq by setting a date for troop removal. Upon saying this, she was promptly booed from the crowd. Kerry, on the other hand, said he regretted supporting the war.

It is an interesting situation here as Democrats find themselves once again drawing their battle lines on the issue of Iraq. With the upcoming election, the popular position is to say things in Iraq are not going well, etc. etc. However, the fact is that the troops deserve all of our support no matter what.

Now, I know what a number of people are going to say. We support our troops, but not the war. Really? If that is the case, then why are you saying the hard work they are doing is wrong? If you listen to John Kerry, Jack Murtha, and the folks from Shock Magazine, then you should scream out against the troops, call them baby killers, and seemingly spit on all those brave men and women who are out there, PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY, ENSURING OUR FREEDOMS THAT LIBERALS LOVE TO HIDE BEHIND, AND TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

So, the line has been drawn in the sand. Which side do you plan on standing on?

A Wife's Request

(The following story was written by Lori Kimble, a31 year old teacher and proud military wife. Mrs. Kimble, a Californianative, currently lives in Alabama.)

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you findall over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table,shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing aroundwith longneck beers and sizzling platters. Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass.

My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform toidentify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" cleanshaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride. Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husbandusually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth,talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure thethought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned homeI fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he wasat this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him?

As I pondered these thoughts, high pitchedfemale voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts. "I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spentwith my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills. Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts.

"It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."

My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.

"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they evenknow what "freedom" is? I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each otherdejectedly, listening to the women talking.

"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."

Professional baby-killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again. That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops beknown.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him.

"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."

I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away. After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode.

"Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, Iwill proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!" To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for theircommanders. Pass this on to as many as you think will respond. "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless themand their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time ofneed. I ask this in the name of God."

Oh...It's On

So the race is now on. It will be Senator George Allen versus James Webb for the Senate. After watching this campaign during the primary season, there are a few thoughts that come to mind. First, Webb is going to need to do some kind of damage control in the state. Webb bloggers certainly had their own influence when it came to the election, but their harsh viciousness certainly put a lot of state Democrats off. In an election with only 3.3% of the voters in the state coming out, it is rather telling that about 1.7% of those people supported Webb. I think one of the things that will have to happen is that the Webb people will need to reach out and get the Miller people to help support their candidate.

While many will say Millerites will support Webb simply to beat Allen, that might not be the case. For a more detailed analysis, check out Mason Conservative and see how he breaks down the Senate Race. As for me, I am not sure a number of Democrats are going to be willing to support Webb. The reason I say this is because, in my opinion, Webb is a DINO: Democrat In Name Only. If you look at what he stands for, he basically stands for the same things Allen does and supports President Bush on a number of major issues. The biggest difference is in Iraq.
Webb is not a big fan of this, but all one person needs to point out is how Webb supported both Bush and Allen in 2000. Will we hear “I supported them before I decided to go against them.” Sounds reminiscent of the “I voted for the war before I voted against it” comment of John Kerry.

Webb supporters might think they will be able to push Iraq and get a victory in Virginia, but they seem to forget Allen isn’t some bush league kind of guy. This is a man who has won many state races, come back from impossible odds, and has done a lot for the state. In addition to this, Allen is coming into this race with some big guns on his side. His campaign manager is Dick Wadahams(sp?), who has won two major elections in Colorado and South Dakota. Added to this, Allen has Ed Gillespie on his team as Treasurer. Gillespie was the former RNC Chair in 2004. With this kind of support, Allen has a team ready to work and win this election.

Already in the bank for Allen is almost ten millions dollars. Webb will need to raise money in the state because the DNC will be looking to win other races across the country and will not be willing to spend most of their money on one race. Let us not forget that in 2002, Democrats made it their mission to try and defeat JEB Bush in Florida’s governor race. The end result was that Republicans were able to hold the line in Congress and make some gains.

As I said before, damage control and reconciliation is going to be needed for Webb. Also, watch how quickly Webb might distance himself from John Kerry’s endorsement. This should be an interesting race to watch. However, I am going to say Allen will win this one namely because he has the ability to communicate his message across the entire state and get the voters to go vote for him. Webb cannot assume for a minute that the all the Kaine voters (or as I called them, Kainenites) back in November ‘04 will come out to vote for him. So…

LLLLET’S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Orders Must Be Said In English

In an interesting turn of events, there is a restaurant in Philadelphia which placed a sign up saying that when ordering food, the customer must speak English. The restaurant, owned by the grandson of Italian immigrants, says that his sign is a symbol of freedom of speech. While this is true, a civil rights watch dog group says it is in direct violation of Philadelphia’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which states businesses are banned from discriminating customers on the basis of nationality or ethnicity. If the restaurant does not remove their sign, they will be forced to pay a three hundred dollar fine.

Fact of the Matter

The fact of the matter on this situation is that it is rather ironic how people complain on these things. In certain communities, the local Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish restaurant might only speak their languages since the majority of people who come there are those particular ethnicities.

So is it too much for a business owner to make sure their employees can understand the order that they are being given? No. More importantly, should the customer know that when they give their order, the person taking it understands English properly and will make sure the order is taken correctly? You better believe it. I could not tell you the number of times where I went to Wendy’s and the Spanish ladies who take the orders have screwed up.

It is really simple to think about: if you are going to work in the public at a public location, you should know the language of the people.

Old School Tactics

In recent news, it was discovered that terrorists who were inspired by al Queda were going to make an attack in Canada by setting off bombs and storming into the Canadian Parliament, only to behead the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. One can only imagine what the Canadians will do now that this has been exposed, but one has to think that these people are going to take the war on terror more seriously now that an attempt like this has been made.
But what are we going to do about these insane people who only want to bomb us and kill innocent people? Well, in looking at some of the old military playbooks of history, I found one plan that might actually work.

In 1911, General John “Blackjack” Pershing was fighting Muslim renegades in the Philippines. Pershing needed to do something about this. These people were being massive thorns in his side and he wanted to take care of this problem once and for all. In order to resolve this, Pershing had captured some of the renegades. He ordered them to dig their own graves, then tied them to stakes. A hog was brought out, killed, and the bullets meant to be used in the firing squad execution was dipped into the hog’s blood. The renegades watched in horror all of this. The soldiers were given their bullets. Ready. Aim. Fire! All but one were killed. Those who were killed were cut loose from their stakes and dropped into the graves. After those bodies fell into the ground, Pershing had the hogs thrown into the graves with the dead renegades and buried them together. The sole survivor was told to tell his comrades about this and then released. The end result was that the Muslim renegades decided not to cause trouble anymore for the next fifty years.

Why did this plan work out so well? The reason is because Pershing put the fear of God into his enemies. If we want to win this War on Terror, then we will need to stop caring about the PC nonsense that is out there and take it to the terrorists.

Errors in History

While I was driving to and from Baltimore to see a few family members, I spent the time in the passenger seat grading my history students’ final exam. As is often the case, history teachers discover new ways in which their students will rewrite history and make up new timelines. After reading the exams, I couldn’t help but feel perhaps I need to share some of these errors.

1. Adolf Hitler was born a Russian.
2. In 1942 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
3. In 1991 the Civil Rights bill is ratified.
4. In 1867, President Lincoln was assassinated.
5. In 1949 the rush for gold occurred.
6. (When talking about Mein Kempf) When it was first published in 1959 I think it was not
popular.
7. In 1642 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
8. There was also the settlement of Jamestown in 1507.
9. A major downfall during this time was the stock market crash. Another was the Great
Depression during the 1950s.
10. Neil Armstrong was the 1st man on the moon in 1957.
11. (On Andrew Johnson’s impeachment) It was because he wanted to go against the 10 year of
office act. He caused a huge uproar when he fired his secretary of state.
12. In 1859-1861, the Civil War had erupted.

Now the corrections for some are obvious. First, Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. The Civil Rights Act was ratified in 1964. The God Rush was in 1849. Mein Kempf was published in 1929. Jamestown was founded in 1607. The Great Depression was in the 1930s. Neil Armstrong got to the moon in 1969, but Sputnik got into space in 1957. Johnson opposed the Tenure of Office Act. Finally, the Civil War occurred between 1861-1865.

Stop Whining and Take Your Medicine

In the news today there is a story about how the black caucus in Washington is crying “unfair” for the treatment of Representative William Jefferson. For those who do not know, Jefferson was caught on video tape by the FBI accepting a $100,000 bribe and $90,000 was found in his FREEZER at HOME. According to the caucus, the only reason why this case is being pressed is because Jefferson is black. As such, everyone assumes he is guilty without just cause and therefore needs to step down from his post on the Ways and Means Committee. While Jefferson has no intention of stepping aside, many in his own party are calling for him to do that in order to get past this and make ethics a political rallying point in November.

Fact of the Matter

“The bitch set me up!” Remember that famous line? The fact of the matter on this situation is that when your hand is caught in the cookie jar, playing dumb and saying you were doing nothing wrong isn’t going to work. Remember folks, if it looks like a duck, talk likes a duck, walks like a duck, and even tastes like a duck, it is a duck. The FBI FOUND the money. He was CAUGHT on tape. Two of his associates have been put on trial.

Even more galling is that the black caucus says Jefferson is being presumed guilty without a case being heard. But how often is it a Republican is presumed guilty without the benefit of a case? Must the Republican Party be held to a higher standard simply because they are conservative?

We need to remember that ALL our elected officials must be held to a higher standard of responsibility because they are meant to be our authority figures. Tom DeLay was smart enough to resign. IF he is able to beat all of the charges brought against him, then we will see what happens, but the man still stepped aside for the good of his party. I think it is high time Democrats realize that they do not have a veil of purity on their heads. After all, the black caucus might love Democrats, but which party was it that supported slavery?

Victory!

Today marks an important victory in the United States’ war on terrorism. Announced only a little over an hour ago, the top insurgent in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed in an air raid by US F-16 fighter jets. His body was identified through photographs, scars, and finger prints. On the same day as his death, three car bombs were set off in Baghdad. For what it might be, I am of the opinion those bombs were going to be set off today one way or another. Most likely, they were going off the same time Zarqawi was being killed.

Fact of the Matter

The fact of the matter on this is that the death of the man who is considered the number three man in al-Queda will deliver a major blow to terrorists around the world. As it was pointed out by military analysts on television, if the United States can get information about the inside of the power circle for our newest enemy an use it to our advantage. This death shows that our intelligence gathering DOES pay off. This death DOES show that a new chapter in Iraq’s history is about to unfold. However, more importantly, this death DESTROYS the liberal media’s machine that is bent to undermine the US military and our job in the War on Terror.

Graduation Day

Congratulation to the Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School Class of 2006 on their graduation! In looking at the list of graduates, I realized that I have come into contact with half of the entire class in two years time. These people were wonderful as students and I do believe I did my part to help prepare them for the future.

I must confess I came very close to missing their graduation. I had to take care of somethings in Alexandria and was held up there. So I had to drive into DC and go to the National Shrine, where the graduation was being held. I got into DC and thought I was doing well, but inadvertantly got lost! So as a drove around the wrong part of DC, I kept an eye on the clock and was thinking I would miss their graduation. Already I knew I would never be able to forgive myself or look at any of them in the eye because of it. As I was almost ready to give up and make the harrowing journey back to sweet Virginia, I saw the spire of the National Shrine and drove for it.

I arrived with only a few minutes to spare. So I did my infamous hundred yard dash. Sure enugh, some of my kids saw me and cheered me on as I ran. Only for them would I ever drive into DC and make an entrance like that. The entire ceremony was good and I realized just how much I will miss all of them. I got a few pics, which will hopefully get posted below in the next day or two.

After the graduation, I made the harrowing trip back to Virginia. My only comment on DC is that no one should ever drive in that city. Too many one way streets if you ask me. So as I got lost, yet again, in that city, I figured so long as I was making my way towards the Potomac River I was in good shape. Then I hit Georgetown. Hmmm, says I. Thankfully, a failed relationship with a girl in Maryland had taught me a few things about traveling through that state, so I knew as long as I kept moving in the direction I was going, sooner or later I would hit a familiar road. Low and behold, I found the KEY BRIDGE! And so as I cross the Potomac, I just screamed out, "VIRGINIA! VIRGINIA! VIRGINIA!"

After hearing my tale, I must say to my kids who will hopefully be gracing this site soon enough, Congratualtions everyone. You make me proud and I hope I can help you in any way possible in your future endeavors.

New blog notice

If you click on the link that says "World of Fiction," you will find my new blog which has stories I write posted online. Starting tomorrow, the first story is being published. It is called The Mission From Mars. It will have new portions published every weekday with the weekends having no posts so that I can use my creative abilities to continue writing more of the story. Hope you all will give it a chance.

Top Ten Presidents

For the next couple of posts, I will be giving some of my best and worst lists when it comes to politics. For today, I decided to look at the Top Ten Best Presidents. So here we go:

10. William Henry Harrison (Whig, 1841) Although the man only served a grand total of thirty days as president, one cannot help but admit that during his short tenure, he did not have an scandals and was liked by all around him. If you consider this, technically he could be considered the greatest president of all time.






9. Harry S. Truman (Democrat, 1945-1953) History has vindicated this man more than we will ever know. When he left office, his approval rating was around twenty percent. The country was not thrilled about Korea and different sections of the country hated the sound of his name due to desegregation in the army. However, we must remember this is a man who ended World War II, made sure our economy would not tank itself, and created a policy which guaranteed our survival in a world were the greatest threat, communism, was beginning to flourish.



8. James K. Polk (Democrat, 1845-1849) He was the ultimate dark horse candidate. He made the promise of serving only one term if elected president and kept his end of the bargain on that one. During his four years, he settled the border between the United States and Canada, passed the Walker Tariff (which lowered tariffs and got the country out of the Depression of 1837), fought a successful war with Mexico and doubled the size of the country as a result of it, and finally got to take credit for the California gold rush at the end of his term.






7. Woodrow Wilson (Democrat, 1913-1921) One of the greatest Progressive Presidents the country ever saw, the man brought a strong sense of moral right and wrong to the White House. When World War I occurred, he tried to keep the United States out of it. However, when we were forced into going into the conflict, Wilson wanted to bring the ideas of American Progressivism to Europe in order to make it a better place. The Fourteen Point plan, while very noble, was flawed as Wilson assumed too much. Most importantly, he outlined the idea of an international community to help keep peace throughout the world.




6. Andrew Jackson (Democratic-Republican/Democrat, 1829-1837) While he has many critics, Jackson was as tough as they came when he was president. He ensured that the country would not split apart during the Nullification Crisis. It should also be noted that one way or another, the Indian Removal Act was going to happen. In my opinion, the main reason was Jackson is vilified for it is because it was on his watch..







5. Theodore Roosevelt (Republican, 1901-1909) Another one of the great Progressive Presidents, TR was a self made man when it came to his health. He overcame childhood disease and took great pains to make sure he could be a man’s man. As president, TR gave us the National Parks and pushed to reform business in order to help workers. However, you got to admit, TR was a tough guy. Anyone who is shot and decides to give a speech before going to hospital must be made of kryptonite.







4. Ronald Reagan (Republican, 1981-1989) Ronnie! Morning in America! Reagan was a man who showed that the best of the United States was yet to come. After the dark days of the Carter Administration, Reagan moved the nation forward. Unemployment rates fell during his administration. The Cold War was coming to an end because Reagan decided to take it to the Communists and show them who is boss.







3. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Democrat, 1933-1945) When the nation plunged into a depression, FDR gave the country its dignity back by creating programs designed specifically to get everyone back to work. He led a generation of people to become toughen and ready to face any hardships that might follow. Pity to see what the next generation turned out to be like. When World War II came to America, he provided strength and leadership to the nation.






2. Abraham Lincoln (Republican, 1861-1865) Most people know I am not the greatest fan of Mr. Lincoln, but even I have to admit the man did do a lot during his time as president. He governed a nation plunged into a civil war. He attempted to use diplomacy where he could, but knew that force was going to be needed to keep the country together. I must also say, there is something rather fascinating about a man who died on Good Friday after suffering pain unlike any other person in the world, as if God said you have done all that is needed and you have to come back to me. Finally, you got to love a man who is willing to tell dirty jokes at a party in front of women all the time.




1. George Washington (Federalist, 1789-1797) He was the father of our country. The first president we ever had. To do the job he had to do is something none of us can possibly imagine. He kept our nation neutral at a time where we could have jumped into a European war and gotten slaughtered. However, the most important thing to remember about Washington was that this is a man who gave up power twice.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. On this date we remember our fallen dead who died in the service of our country and honor them. While I know there are those who will say different things about our soldiers, I cannot help but remember that there was a specific cause for what these men died for.

They died for America. Throughout it all, we have had well over a million men and women who died to ensure that our nation is as strong as our nation is today. Critics of our current conflict can say what they will, but the fact still remains it is these soldiers who gave up their lives which allows these critics to voice their opinions. Our freedom is based on the greatest sacrifce made for our country.

So for these people, these fallen few, these heroes who still live today, I believe the best quote to remember at times like these is to think about what it is all of us are working towards.

"We know there are dangers ahead, as we know there are evils to fight and overcome, but we feel to the full the pulse of the prosperity we enjoy. Stout of heart, we see across the dangers the great future that lies beyond, and we rejoice as a giant refreshed, as a strong man girt for the race; and we go down into the arena where nations strive for mastery, our hearts lifted to the faith that to us and our children and our children’s children it shall be given to make this Republic the mightiest among the peoples of mankind.” -Theodore Roosevelt

Immigration Address

Tonight, President Bush addressed the nation and discussed the issue of illegal immigration and how to handle. In the address, the President discussed five points for fixing this problem.

1. Secure the border.
2. Temporary work program.
3. Make employers accountable
4. Millions are here, so we must use a middle ground with them
5. Work to continue to American idea of being the "melting pot."

When it comes to each of these things, they are all very valid points. The "melting pot" image is something the United States has been famous for. As a result, we need English to be our national language. By having this in place, it will give us the opportunity to make sure that this particular point of American culture remains in place and secures the fact that immigrants coming into the country will become more America.

Making employers accountable for hiring illegals will help dealing with the ones who are here. Current illegal immigrants will be forced to go for the worker program that can get them towards full legal status. As for temporary work/guest worker programs, this will allows us to make sure that people looking to help their families can still do that, but with legal protection and the ability to make sure they will not be exploited for their labor.

However, before we can do anything else, the border must be made secure. The President has discussed putting the National Guard on the border. Their primary responsibility is to do the grunt work and allow all the border patrol agents who are there to go out and be on the border. In addition to this, by having unmanned and technological advances be used to patrol the border, immigrants wanting to cross the border will realize the need to do it legally.

For me, I believe one system we can use is our friend in the picture above. Meet ED 309. Movie buffs might know him as the robot from Robocop. While there are a few bugs out there, it would be a heck of a deterant because he isn't something to ignore. A big robot with lots of fire power will scare some folks while also saying to themselves "Perhaps the legal way isn't as bad as I thought."

Eight Ways to Destory America?

*Note to readers: The following came from an email I recieved from a friend. I would advise all to think, reflect, and discuss with others*

We know Dick Lamm as the former Democratic Governor of Colorado. In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington, DC, filled to capacity by many of American's finest minds and leaders.

A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, Mexifornia," explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal - was destroying the entire state of California. He said it would march across the country until it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream. Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America. The audience sat spellbound as he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States . He said, "If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let's destroy America. It i s not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that 'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.'"

Here is how they do it," Lamm said:

"First, to destroy America, turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country ." History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way: "The histories of bilingual and bi-cultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy." Canada, Belgium, Malaysia, and Lebanon all face crises of national exi stence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with Basques, Bretons, and Corsicans."

Lamm went on:

Second, to destroy America, "Invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture . I would make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences. I would make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.

Third, "We could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much eff ort . The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: "The apparent success of our own multiethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricity and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together." Lamm said, "I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities."

"Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group t he least educated . I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high. School."

"My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money . I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology.' I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population."

"My sixth plan for America's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common language and literature; and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games. A common enemy, Persia, threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. "E. Pluribus Unum" -- From many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus' Instead of the 'Unum,' we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo."

"Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity .' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multi-culturism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'Victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America, it must always be good. I would make every individual immigrant symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them."

In the last minute of h is speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow Profound silence followed. Finally he said,. " Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis's book Mexifornia. His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America. If you feel America. deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book.". There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly, darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today. Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we celebrate 'diversity.' American j obs are vanishing into the Third World as corporations create a Third World in America - take note of California and other states - to date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast.

Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path, especially The American Dream.

Fact of the Matter

Like I said before, the above came to me from a friend in an email. In reflecting on this, I cannot help but note there are a few problems with the Governor’s argument. First, all of this assumes the government remains complacent and does not want to do anything about this. As we can see, the issue of immigration is something that has been on the minds of many people. As such, a lot of people are thinking about it. Tomorrow, President Bush plans on giving a speech to the nation. On the whole, he plans on talking about how he wants to place the National Guard along the border with Mexico. This is a good plan. The border with Mexico must be secured. Yes, there are people who want to come here, but I cannot help but stress the point that it must be done LEGALLY.

Another problem is that of making it taboo to talk about this. Lets face it, blogs have crushed the stranglehold conventional media once had on the disperssment of information in this country. We also have 24 hour news services which makes sure no one can try to hide some news from the people. Concerned citizens would make sure the information of schools only teaching in a single language that was not English would become public knowledge.

Third, the history of the United States has always had multi-culturalism atmosphere to it. This isn’t the first time this nation has had to deal with immigrant influences in the national identity. The only real credible threat we have is that schools are not making sure the student learn to speak English all the time. By making sure the students have English as their primary language, it makes a complete difference.

Finally, while there will be critics who claim that people are racist only because we don’t want immigrants to come in, there is nothing wrong with a person wanting to control the number of people coming into the country. Part of the reason we must do it is because we must think about our own national security. If the nation does not know who is coming in, what is to prevent one of those people being a terrorist? To claim that some people are racist on the basis of that proves a much stronger point, the accuser is ignorant while also being single minded.

Chess Minions

Ever wonder what goes on in Chess Club? While the traditional norms of a bunch of "geeks and nerds" sitting around playing chess goes through most peoples minds, surprisingly the group can be very funto be around and extremely entertaining. Often times, the group discuss different things like video games or pokes fun at how they each play the game of chess.

One of the most interesting things that was brought up was how women are evil. Often times, men have stated that and can never comes up with a way to show it. So, here is the formula that some of these guys came up with:

Woman = Money x Time
Time = Money
Woman = Money x Money
Woman = Money Squared
The square root of evil = Money
Money Squared = Evil
Woman = Evil

Now, while every guy laughs and every woman fumes, you got to remember that this is all tongue in cheek. To believe that this "theory" is actually legitimate is ridiculous. Common sense can dictate that the root of all evil is greed, something both sexes can be tempted by. Therefore, in effect, both sexes are evil if they so desire to be. However, I will say, the formula is funny and if a guy ever finds himself in a position where he gets dumped, at least now he can sound smarter when he says his ex was evil.

Just too cool

Everyone's favorite bear who can't help but get his nose stuck in the honey jar turns 80 this year. For Winnie the Pooh, to have his picture taken to celebrate his birthdya was both a thrill for himself and the photographer. As such, he joins a list of famous people to have their 80th Birthday portrait done. As you can see, this pic is pretty cool to look at namely because it shows that some things, despite their age, are timeless.

A Strong Leader

Now more than ever, I cannot help but feel we are in need of a shining beacon of leadership who is not afraid of what others think of him and knows how to not only put them in their place, but grab them by the balls (when it comes to men) or ovaries (when it comes to women) and show them who is boss.

I give you Francis Urquhart. Here is a man who is confident, descisive, and knows how to govern. If any of you need proof of this, I would advise watching him in House of Cards and To Play the King. You can always watch The Final Cut, but perhaps only certain parts of it. Needless to say, if you are not impressed by FU, then I think you can guess what my response might be to you.

A Trip to the Past

During this weekend, the City of Fairfax had its 9th Annual Civil War weekend at the Blenheim House. Featured at this event were re-enactors who portrayed the roles of General Robert E. Lee, General James Longstreet, General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, and General Lewis Armistead. As it is known, recently the blog world had a debate pertaining to the issue of Southern history. Considering how the current trend was, I decided to take advantage of this weekend and ask questions to these men in order to understand some of the view points of those who lived at the time.

*Note: I am aware that re-enactors are not the actual individuals that they portray. However, since these men have studied the lives of the people they portray so thoroughly, it is about the next best thing.*

There were three questions that were very specifically asked to these gentleman,
1) What are your views on state’s rights?
2) Is secession constitutionally legal?
3) What are your views on slavery?

For the first question, all four men cited the book A View on the Constitution by William Rawle. The text, which was used by all cadets at West Point, discussed the issue of secession and details that it was legal for any state to leave the United States. In effect, the nation was a republic built on smaller republics. If one of those said smaller republics wished to leave the bigger one, then it was allowed to do that. Bringing things into a contemporary light, the gentleman played General Longstreet pointed out that the United States could, therefore, leave the United Nations and not be told that it had to remain in the organization.

Therefore, the answer to the second question was rather obvious. All four men believed beyond any doubt that secession was legal. In fact, if one were to think of it to today’s standards, you could still argue that a state could secede from the Union, but that is another debate for another day.

The final question dealing with slavery was an interesting. Both Generals Longstreet and Armistead did not own slaves. In their opinion, the war was fought heavily over the issue of state’s rights and that, while slavery was an issue, it was this one which was central to fighting the war. Now, Generals Lee and Jackson did own slaves. However, both men did acknowledge that slavery, while not moral, was a legal institution.

Now, granted, these questions are broad based, but it does give a sight insight into the thinking of some people who lived at the time. If ever there is an opportunity to go to an event like this, by all means go. It is actually a lot of fun, but more importantly, the people who work at these events LOVE to talk about it. They enjoy teaching and educating the public on their interests and want to make sure that all aspects of history are explored.

The Southern Cross

So last night I spent two hours doing something I rarely get to do in my life, debate history and the effect of it with someone who knows what they are talking about and can give me a challenge when it comes to debating. I will say first a foremost, I need to make sure I do this earlier in the evening because I am getting a little older and can’t stay up past 1am on a weeknight anymore. So on to the debate.

For two hours Mason Conservative and I verbally debated the issue of the Confederate Battle Flag when being used in a public, state manner. All of this was stemmed from the issue of George Allen and his move towards racial reconciliation. Now both of us were able to agree on the point that people are able to change their minds on an issue from one point in their life to another. The area of contention for the two of us dealt with whether or not the Battle Flag could be used in a state flag.

Mason Conservative’s point of view was that no it should not. As he argued, the flag was used a symbol of hate which still causes problems today. In addition, how is that Mississippi can have the Battle Flag in their state flag?

Now, both of us argued the issue with valid points. He argued that when it came to the issue of heritage and that Confederate soldiers were fighting for states rights, the core of it still came down to the issue of slavery. The issue he could not get past is how a person can support and revere this flag without keeping in mind the negative aspect of it. In his opinion, the only way a person is able to do that is to selectively choose what it is they want to remember about the flag and ignore the rest of the history behind.

For myself, I argued the lines of heritage groups that outside sources want the flag removed and that their history is being paved over. Granted, it is hard to pave over history. However, once only one particular point of view is allowed to be shown, or acknowledged, then we find ourselves creating a VERY one sided view of history. Mason Conservative himself said, “The African-American definition is as valid as the southern white one, and given our past on racial issues, the black definition should be the standard we hold to.” If that is the case, then the very argument I just mentioned of where we allow only one point of view to exist becomes valid right then and there.

Fact of the Matter

The fact of the matter on this situation is this: the debate over the Battle Flag is a difficult one to wrestle. There is no doubt about this one. However, when it comes to having the Battle Flag in a state flag, we must remember that if the democratic process was done and the people of the state voted to have it in their flag, then the will of the people was spoken.

However, the issue of having a person disassociate themselves from slavery and selectively choose the history they want to look at is something that has been happening for thousands of years. Still, the questioned nagged me as to why it is some Southerners are so passionate about the flag. So it is about 140am and something pops into my head: the American Revolution.

OK, so where am I going with this. Well, let us look at it this way:
1) Both the Civil War and the Revolution had its origins begin ten years before shots were fired.
2) Both conflicts had issues dealing with an over arching federal government that was pushing its will on a segment of the country/empire.
3) Both situations had a group of people arguing that they were preserving the rights of the people based off of the political writings of their predecessors.
4) Undeniably, there was the issue of expansion in both conflicts. For the Revolution, it was American expansion into the west past the Appalachian Mountains. For the South, it was the expansion of slavery in order to keep the institution alive.
5) Now that slavery has been brought up, both conflicts dealt with a group of people holding others in bondage while saying they were fighting for their freedom and their rights.
6) Undeniably, the economic greed and desires of people in both generations were heavily weighed upon in private circles.

So what makes these two conflicts different? When it comes to the American Revolution, the colonists won while the South lost the Civil War. Winston Churchill said that history is written by the winners, and he planned on writing the history. Guess what, he did. So selective history is naturally something that comes up. The winners will always get to have their view points written.

How does this go back to the Battle Flag? Well, because the South lost and there was the creation of the Lost Cause, certainly selective history creates an atmosphere where people look at individual citizens fighting back against an intrusive government that wanted to tell them what to do. However, can we say the Stars and Stripes might not have become a divisive flag/issue had the British won the Revolution?

I mean let’s face it, the Americans were the antagonists when it came to the Revolution. The Sons of Liberty were, by modern standards, terrorists who are now revered. The issue of taxation without representation is, as Mason Conservative seems to like to say, disingenuous because Great Britain had every right to tax its colonies as it saw fit. Example: A History of the United States by Daniel J. Boorstin and Brooks Mather Kelley has a small section which deals with the Townshend Acts. In it, they write, “Benjamin Franklin had told Parliament that the colonists opposed it (the Stamp Act) because it was an internal tax but that they would accept external taxes, like the import duties.” Continuing on this, the authors write, “Townshend chose to take Franklin at his word. He proposed duties on many items Americans imported: lead, glass, paper, paint, and tea.” The Boston Massacre was forced upon by Americans egging on British soldiers, screaming at them, and when one man flinches, everything goes up in smoke.

Now, I know some folks are saying we can’t ask the what if questions on this part of history. I disagree. Part of asking the “what if” questions is that it allows you to look at other avenues. You are still forced to consider history and the way things happened in the light of history. However, you are also forced to look at other areas of history and shed aspects on the social and economic forces of not only this country, but others. As a result, you find yourself considering multiple points of view.

Back to the Revolution, if the British had won, then the leaders of the Revolution would have been executed the United States would not exist today. Odds are there might be those who would want to fly the Stars and Stripes or acknowledge it in some way because of its history. Would a subject of the British Empire take offense to this and demand it be removed? We don’t know. It didn’t happen that way.

So the key result here is once again who writes the history. Now yes, black history has been something which has only within the past forty some odd years been put to the forefront of historical books with the rise of cultural historians and such. However, these books seem to do detract from the main narrative of history by saying the other groups out there need to have their own history separate of American history.

Even with the Revolution, we see new information coming out. When I was a student in high school, I was taught the British opened fire on the Americans without provocation. It would not be until I was in college I learned otherwise. Now, this information is in the textbooks of school children. They are learning all the aspects of history.

In my opinion, when it comes to revering the Confederacy and the symbols which are associated with it, it all comes down to a personal choice. For me, I think the Confederacy does symbolize an age that is lost to us. We no longer have an age of gentleman and ladies who act in public with certain degree of honor and dignity. Instead, we are replaced with images of songs calling for the beating of women, presidents who wish to stick objects inside interns, and people who feel that it is alright to mouth off at another because their point of view is the only one that matters. Yes, I know there was slavery, but even I am not a fool. In looking at the world of 1860-1900, while slavery was one of the reasons of the war, if the Confederacy were to have won, slavery as an institution would have become economically infeasible.

What is the rationale behind this?
1) The British were already an anti-slavery nation. If they were to have helped secure the Confederacy’s independence, they would have started to press on the CSA the need to free their slaves.
2) In the event the slave trade would have been reopened, British warships would have intercepted slave trading vessels. Maybe not all of them, but certainly enough.
3) As Mason Conservative will tell you, and as will I, the price for buying a slave at auction was rather steep. As a result, very few people could actually buy slaves. As a whole, only about five percent of the Southern white owned large numbers of slaves and would have, if given a chance to buy more, bought the majority of them, thus leaving lower planters to have nothing.
4) Even if the confederacy had wanted to try and maintain the peculiar institution, technological advances would have forced things to change. Even the Empire of Brazil was eventually forced to end slavery before the end of the 19th century.

In today’s standards, the democratic process has shown that people have considered the issue. Mississippi has decided to stick with their flag which shows the Battle Flag in the upper canton. So be it. George decided to change their flag numerous times. Not everyone is going to be happy with the decisions. And certainly everyone is entitled to their own views. However, when we start getting into the name callings and refer to having the symbol the flag as “ass backwards,” then we are no better than the hypocrite who criticize our country as a whole. Name calling does absolutely nothing.

So I end this rather long discussion on this point. Why do I revere the Confederacy? The answer is noble in purpose. What is the measure of a man who lifts up the banner to a cause, willing to give up the most precious gift of all, his life, for it, to march onto a field and face a death made of lead, the roar of a cannon spewing out hot death, comrades falling around him, and even though he might know his cause could be wrong, still fights on? The measure of this man can be found in his principles, his morals, his dignity, and his honor. It is these four ideals, columns of humanity, which I find inspiring. These are things in my opinion we as a society have lost and as such must fin again.

So if I am guilty of selective history, then so be it. But I say to you, sir or madam, do not judge me. For if you still say I am wrong, I say to you that even you are guilty of using selective history. For it is you who are only looking at one side of the sphere of history and it is you who choose to block out the other side.