So What's The Deal With The Confederate Flag Anyway?

Fixed that for ya...
and pretty sure it acquired racist overtones long before 1946

 

I mostlely agree, but have you ever fconsidered simply stitchikng it together so that to make it seem more kind of like it may sort of look like the flag that is known among some circles as the flag of the modern 21st cenury union of the united states of the continent upon which we geographically reside and unto which we shall say "fare thee well, as u fall in the wrong hands yet again. Allakhu Akhmar Sahnin Juhanihani Baruh Ata ADonaj. ""

 

It's still made and sold, just not at Amazon.

I'm more familiar with the computer version. Even with flawless information and communication (an extreme fantasy in 1863) it's hard for the South to win, unless you move really fast on Day 1. Day 3 is the most hopeless scenario, as Longstreet was well aware.

By all means, if you haven't seen the movie Gettysburg, get it ASAP. It's moving, insightful, and highly accurate.

Late yesterday, I learned that NASCAR, one of the most redneck organizations in America, is asking fans to stop bringing anything with a Confederate flag on it to their races! Simply amazing. Even more amazing to me was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s comments in support of the new policy. He said offensive symbols don't add anything to racing. I can't imagine his dad saying that, if he was still alive. True progress. After 150 years, we're moving on.

 

there's a KKK rally planned on capitol grounds in Columbia July 18th. I'm interested to see how it pans out. I'm guessing a lot of people will show in protest of it. I would if I didn't already have plans for the day.

 

That is why I support "shall carry" laws.

 

I hope Jake and Elwood show up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktmNEWwH69s

 

My money would be on Bonaparte.

But actually it's interesting to make a comparison. Lee, although he was an admirable man in many ways had the misfortune to be fighting on the wrong side of history. Supporting slavery and backward looking attitudes. Napoleon on the other hand was the saviour of the French Revolution with it's generally progressive values, and his 'code napoleon' enshrines personal liberty in a way that had never happened anywhere before.

Lee vs. Wellington? Depends if the Prussians were on hand.................

 

It's a great movie, and the best one I've seen about any aspect of the Civil War.

Appropriate to mention it as today is the anniversary of the last fateful and bloody day of the battle.

 

I remember thinking when I studied the French Revolution in college that it absolutely needed to happen for the ideals of the revolution to spread across the western world, but it was also a ridiculous, bloody, violent mess.

And I remember thinking when I studied the post confederate war era in An AP class in high school, the north royally fucked over the south so bad that it didn't start to recover until 20 -30 yrs ago in some cities and not at all in much of the rural south.

Napolean was a pretty fucked up dude on the right side of history and Lee was a decent guy on the wrong side of history. Just goes to show how many shades of gray there are in a history lesson and how difficult it can be to really get the whole picture.

 

Napoleon was a complex character, and one who has been blackened by generations of British historians and their sympathizers. Without him, the progressive values at the core of the revolution (which did turn into a chaotic mess) would have been crushed by the other European monarchies who feared the same thing being visited on them. Whatever one thinks of Napoleon's character, there's no doubt he was one of the most important figures in the birth of the modern age.

An interesting question is did the south ever truly recover from the war? I've heard different opinions on that.

 

Rather than being crushed by him?

 

In the end they weren't. But neither could the clock be turned back. Contrast the liberty, equality and fraternity ideals of the revolution with the kind of serfdom that prevailed in Russia at the time.

 

It's really a trick question, because Lee studied Napoleon's career extensively.

Up through the second day at Gettysburg, in Lee's entire career as a commanding officer, he had never left an adversary in possession of a battlefield, even though he had often faced armies with many more men and much more equipment. We love sports analogies here, so some would call him the Michael Jordan of warfare, if Michael had ever gone two straight years without losing a game, while playing for an inferior team. It's really hard to find anything that compares.

Napoleon was also a political leader, and he strongly believed in the ideals of the Revolution. Some Southern officers had been enthusiastic advocates of slavery before the war. Lee was not one of them.

Like the USA, the CSA adopted the concept of a professional, nonpolitical military that followed the orders of elected civilian leaders. Blame for Confederate policies therefore goes to Jefferson Davis and the elected state goverments that voted to form the CSA.

It's the same line of thought that leads Americans to not blame more recent US Army generals for the failed Iraq policies of George W. Bush. A few Vietnam War protesters had hard feelings toward US military leaders and soldiers, but the great majority placed all the blame on presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, who had made all the key decisions.

Whether we have a conservative or liberal President, he (or she) can always count on the Pentagon obeying them without hesitation. Any other way of handling such matters usually leads to a country turning into a third world banana republic, or a military dictatorship. So, I very much like this separation of authority that we've always had, even during the CW. We most recently saw the alternative in play during turmoil in Egypt.

One great thing about the movie is that it clearly shows, even in the worst week of Lee's life up to that time, when he was most likely experiencing a minor heart attack, that he still had the ability to handle every situation that came up in ways that impressed and amazed everyone around him. His speech to General Stewart is such a classic! Martin Sheen delivers it perfectly.

While getting its historical facts and personal characterizations right, it's also the kind of movie that makes you want to hang out with General Longstreet and have a beer with him. And it makes me want to bring Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain back to life and ask him to run for President. Or, I'd settle for General Hancock, who actually did run in 1880.

The first day at Gettysburg should have been Stuart versus Buford, if Stuart had been thinking straight and had his priorities right. If so, the whole war might have had a different outcome. A lesser man would have lost his job over such a massive fuck-up, but Lee knew that replacing Stewart would have been a big step down. After Stewart's death, Lee couldn't find anyone who could lead at the same level. Sheridan began to dominate every cavalry encounter.

Can you imagine, Stewart going against Buford on day one? OMG! High drama! It gives me the chills to think about it.

Mississippi used to be the wealthiest state in America, but it's been dead last since 1865. For most of that state, the recovery has definitely been 150+ years and still counting. Before the war, the most dire predictions were that the region's economy would be set back 100 years.

Uneven recovery, no shit. Atlanta recovered a little too well, and grew into a monster. Miami didn't even exist at the time of the war. Sitting out nearly all four years as an occupied city, the Civil War was barely more than a bump in the road for New Orleans.

 

One big thing Lee and Napoleon had in common was that both had the love and loyalty of their soldiers. I get the impression that they were for different reasons seen by their men as almost infallible. Both won that respect through merit.

I think the adulation that both received probably sat more easily on Napoleon than Lee. In the movie there are two scenes that bring this out. First where the soldiers are cheering Lee prior to the last day of the battle, and in the aftermath of Pickett's charge, when Lee says it's all his fault, and still some of the men are ready to go again. It gives me the impression , as does a lot I've read about Lee, that he was a modest man.Obviously though he understood the importance of morale in the army.
Napoleon on the other hand definitely had a taste for self glorification. You only have to look at the portraits by David or Gerard where he's in his imperial robes to see that. But he was also sending a message to his enemies I think with such images.

Martin Sheen portrayed Lee very well I think. I can't say I've seen any film that really gets Napoleon quite right. Rod Stieger in Waterloo is about the best I can think of. But doesn't quite get him.......

Napoleon is more or less vilified in Britain. I don't know how he's generally regarded in the US. In France he's a national hero.

 

That actually sounds like an insanely terrifying event to have to go through. I know it was along time ago, but glad she made it through.

 

I have a feeling he won't be the most popular driver next year, his comments have set off a lot of his fans lol. From everything I have read it seems like more people are going to bring the flag to the track and there's rumors in Darlington that EVERYONE is to bring their flag because like, what's the Southern or Dixie 500 without it? Lol, all the old pictures I see are a big Confederate flag as the promotional flyer for the races back in the 70s and 80s. I'm not sure what's happen but honestly, I'll be a bit disappointed if I do t get to see it flying at the race track, I've watched it for like a decade on TV and it just won't feel right. But I'm sure there'll be heaps honestly. with all the rumors etc. But I know much respect has been lost for poor little Dune Bug.

 

I think both understood the psychological aspects of war. On a traditional battlefield, the key moment is when things get bad on the front line, and young guys make an instinctive decision whether to follow orders and fight, or run away. They're much more likely to run if they think the other option is certain death. Once an army unit gets a reputation of being unbeatable, that can become a self-fulfilling prophesy. Young men sometimes broke down and cried when told that the general on the other side was Lee. They often took it like a death sentence. Jackson created the same mystique.

When Longstreet suggested that they pick a different battleground than Gettysburg, Lee was worried that it might look like a retreat, which he had never done, and that could erode his intimidating image. I'm with Longstreet on this one. A retreat is something that takes place after a battle, not before. Longstreet wanted to head for Washington, forcing Meade to chase them. Then the Southern army could turn around and force a battle in the location of their choice. Of course, that was assuming Stuart would show up in a reasonable amount of time. He was still missing. Longstreet told the press he wanted Stuart tried in military court for dereliction of duty. Lee said nothing.

This has a lot to do with Lee's religious background. He believed that humility and integrity are important Christian character traits, and important leadership qualities.

The concept of a humble leader was not so common up north, but Lincoln showed that side at times. When accused of being two-faced, Lincoln replied, "If I had another face, why would I use this one?"

Lee was a member of the Church of England, which is now called the Anglican Church, in America. I don't know a lot about it. It's become a rare denomination. I don't know any members. I don't think there is an Anglican Church in this metro area.

We have a fading level of interest in all things French. A rich railroad executive once paid big money to acquire Napoleon's chess set, for his summer home in western North Carolina. Made of exotic materials, it's surely worth millions. Visitors to the home seem to pay little attention to it these days.

I was in shock when I saw that story. I knew it was going to be very controversial. I still can't believe they did it.

Dale Jr. may end up with only one fan left, and that would be me. Gotta root for him tomorrow.

Umm... a 1.5 mile oval with cars going fast?

The most recent ad you posted was from 1976, back when NASCAR raced only in former Confederate states, and Indy cars ran everywhere else. They also raced cars that anybody could buy at a dealership. Most races were covered on radio, but not TV. Nothing about NASCAR is the same now.

The only flag a race car driver truly loves to see is the checkered flag. Green and white are nice also. I hope the fans can focus on that.