VP Beast Butler?

[Jim Garrett]

Well put Roger. This is a much varied group from all viewpoints. It is amazing that 150 years after the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, that the people and the events can still bring out such intellectual and sometimes very emotional opinions and observations. I am one with a Southern-Centric point of view, however, I live in (usually) the 21st century and can objectively look at the past. As Shelby Foote so eloquently put it, the cause that the Confederacy fought for was one of the worst. But it is such a great American ideal that we can look back and be able to discuss the most important decade of our county's history, good, bad and ugly. I have been guilty of making a post that I regret, and I am fortunate that I can apologize, and move forward. As I have said to Roger in the past, the symposium is much like a privaet old English men's club that admits Ladies, and thank goodness. 99.9% of the time, we approach this symposium with great dignity and responsibility. Thank you Roger for such a great arena to express opinion, sentiment and intellect!

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Well put Roger. This is a much varied group from all viewpoints. It is amazing that 150 years after the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, that the people and the events can still bring out such intellectual and sometimes very emotional opinions and observations. I am one with a Southern-Centric point of view, however, I live in (usually) the 21st century and can objectively look at the past. As Shelby Foote so eloquently put it, the cause that the Confederacy fought for was one of the worst. But it is such a great American ideal that we can look back and be able to discuss the most important decade of our county's history, good, bad and ugly. I have been guilty of making a post that I regret, and I am fortunate that I can apologize, and move forward. As I have said to Roger in the past, the symposium is much like a privaet old English men's club that admits Ladies, and thank goodness. 99.9% of the time, we approach this symposium with great dignity and responsibility. Thank you Roger for such a great arena to express opinion, sentiment and intellect!

That being said, Ben Butler was indeed the devil incarnate.