Incident at an Antique Store

[J. Beckert]

I've purposefully made strong attempts to avoid discussions like this on the forum because they usually implode and make headaches for Roger. Especially if you mention slavery. Having said that and ignoring my better judgement, (and making a precautionary apology to my good friend Roger) I think Toia's response was extremely reasonable and rational. I also see Bill's point, strongly share his views and understand his frustration. I'll also agree with Rich Smyth about these kids that I also see up here who think being a "redneck" is cool. I'd bet my last dollar that not one of these young ones know a damn thing about the flag they fly or any of the reasons hundreds of thousands of young men who never owned slaves went to war. The highest percentage of Southern slave owners I've ever seen is 10% and that's probably a high end. Driving a muddy pickup and flying the Stars and Bars doesn't make you a redneck. Spending years on a farm, covered in dirt and working long days like a dog has the upper hand over being a wannabee that likes NASCAR. I can vouch for that.

I started a thread a while ago about a book I'd recently read called "War Crimes Against Southern Civilians". It went over like a harlot in church. I understand that this is a Lincoln forum, but the truth is more important to me than hero worship. After learning so much here from those more educated than myself, I have serious questions about Lincoln's motives, character and policies, because I look at things objectively. I also look at the Southern cause the same way. Many young men went to war because their homeland was invaded, looted and burned. With Lincoln's initial views that he'd let slavery continue without expanding, I find that hard to reconcile. Throw in an attack on Fort Sumter in which not much harm was done, the questions about tariffs, etc., and I sometimes have a hard time looking at Lincoln as a benevolent statesman. In today's politically correct world, screaming racism at everything seems en vogue. I like to view things in a historical sense, view our ancestors through a lens that allows them a little wiggle room for the views they held in a different time with different mores that are at odds with the views we now hold and understand that the world is a constantly evolving place.