Confederate History Month Lives Again In Old Virginny

[FSTargetDrone]

WaPo:

Despite previous governors' refusals, McDonnell issues Confederate history month proclamation

April 6, 2010; 1:17 PM ET

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has quietly declared April 2010 Confederate History Month, bringing back a designation in Virginia that his two Democratic predecessors -- Mark Warner and Tim Kaine -- refused to do.

Republican governors George Allen and Jim Gilmore issued similar proclamations. But in 2002, Warner broke with their action, calling such proclamations, a "lightning rod" that does not help bridge divisions between whites and blacks in Virginia.

This year's proclamation was requested by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A representative of the group said the group has known since it interviewed McDonnell when he was running for attorney general in 2005 that he was likely to respond differently than Warner or Kaine.

"We've known for quite some time we had a good opportunity should he ascend the governorship," Brandon Dorsey said. "We basically decided to bide our time and wait until we had more favorable politicians in Richmond."

Dorsey said the governor's stamp of approval would help the group publicize the month and aide tourism efforts in the state.

"As I read it, this proclamation is more designed to get people to study the issue rather than simply being a tribute," he said. "We would like everyone in the state to honor the sacrifice of the brave men who went out and died in battle. At the very least, we'd like them to study why they went out and did it. And I think the proclamation could be construed either way."

The language can be seen on the governor's Web site.

Richmond is the former capital of the Confederacy.

Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) said he was "stunned" to learn of McDonnell's decision and even more stunned that the proclamation did not include any reference to slavery. "It's offensive,'' he said.

The proclamation is one of about two dozen McDonnell has issued since his inauguration in January. Many, but not all, are posted on the office's Web site.

-- Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman

Ah, Southern Pride in the heart of the treasonous Confederacy.

One can "study the issue" (really, how much more "study" is required?) without Christening April as Confederate History Month. This benefits no one except for a sad little band of apologists and Confederacy wankers.

[MKSheppard]

Because nothing happened between 1861 and 1865 in Virginia; no sir.

[Temujin]

As Rachel Maddow keeps pointing out, McDonnell is doing his damnedest to turn Virginia into a new Jesse Helms-istan as fast as he possibly can. This is just one more example; and one of the reason when I move back to the DC Metro area I'm seriously considering finding a place on the Maryland side of the Potomac, even though I'll probably working on the Virginia side.

[Temujin]

Because nothing happened between 1861 and 1865 in Virginia; no sir.

If they want to have a general Civil War commemorative history day, week, month or plate, that's fine. But this is nothing more than a circle jerk for a bunch of confederate apologists who want to reminisce about their supposedly honorable and glorious racist past. The South lost, its about time they learn to deal with that.

And if they don't like it, they're free to have another go at it; not that the majority of them actually have the bollocks to back up their words with deeds.

[Anguirus]

Because no citizens of Virginia fought for the Union; no sir.

[FSTargetDrone]

Because no citizens of Virginia fought for the Union; no sir.

Oh please, you know what this is all about: Southern Pride. A way to legitimize an illegal attempt to forcefully leave the Union (especially after being the one side which fired the first shots, setting a massive catastrophe in motion). The frickin' Sons of Confederate Veterans couldn't wait for this clown to make the change when the previous guys wouldn't.

[eion]

Maryland's looking better every day...

Glad I'm not in public school under this jackass of a government.

[Cecelia5578]

Because no citizens of Virginia fought for the Union; no sir.

Besides, how does celebrating the Confederacy honor those Virginians who stayed loyal to the Union?
I sense a logic fail here.

[aieeegrunt]

The Confederates were willing to fight a long and bloody war devestating their own country and costing hundreds of thousands of lives rather than forgoe the priviledge of enslaving their fellow man.

I think that says all about them that needs to be said. The confederacy, confederate flags and symbols should be given the same respect and honour that we give to Nazi regalia, and their supporters and boosters given the exact same "respect".

[The Spartan]

Besides, how does celebrating the Confederacy honor those Virginians who stayed loyal to the Union?
I sense a logic fail here.

Maybe it's just me, but I got the sense that Anguirus was making the point that they're only honoring Confederates with this history month thing (duh) but are excluding Virginians that weren't traitors* and, thus, if they wanted to honor Civil War Veterans they should have, as Temujin suggested, a general Civil War whatever, rather than exclusively Confederate.


*George Henry Thomas for instance.

[Lonestar]

As Rachel Maddow keeps pointing out, McDonnell is doing his damnedest to turn Virginia into a new Jesse Helms-istan as fast as he possibly can. This is just one more example; and one of the reason when I move back to the DC Metro area I'm seriously considering finding a place on the Maryland side of the Potomac, even though I'll probably working on the Virginia side.

The Maryland side of the Potomac sucks, the school systems are much worse, and so is the crime. That you even think you'll have a better quality of life in Maryland instead of, say, Fairfax County(as opposed to Mississippi North outside of the DC area) shows what a loser you are.

[MKSheppard]

The confederacy, confederate flags and symbols should be given the same respect and honour that we give to Nazi regalia, and their supporters and boosters given the exact same "respect".

Why do you hate the Maryland flag?

[CarsonPalmer]

Because nothing happened between 1861 and 1865 in Virginia; no sir.

Will this month honor one of the most successful Virginians in the Civil War, Major General George H. Thomas, commander of the Army of the Cumberland and the Rock of Chickamauga? I doubt it.

[CarsonPalmer]

The Maryland side of the Potomac sucks, the school systems are much worse, and so is the crime. That you even think you'll have a better quality of life in Maryland instead of, say, Fairfax County(as opposed to Mississippi North outside of the DC area) shows what a loser you are.

I have relatives in a gay marriage who hopped the Potomac because the legal protections for them are superior there; it isn't all that an unreasonable statement.

[Lonestar]

I have relatives in a gay marriage who hopped the Potomac because the legal protections for them are superior there; it isn't all that an unreasonable statement.

On a statewide basis, but not on a county-by-county(or even municipality by municipality) basis. Besides, if that was really the the driving reason they would have moved to the District(oh wait...too much crime and social ills there, even more so than in Maryland. Looks like my political principles only extend so far!)

[MKSheppard]

Lonestar just likes urban sprawl low taxes more than his principles. Which is why I like him.

[Darth Wong]

Because nothing happened between 1861 and 1865 in Virginia; no sir.

Nothing to be proud of.

[Darth Wong]

Because no citizens of Virginia fought for the Union; no sir.

And Albert Einstein worked for the US during WW2. Does that mean Germans should be proud of America's accomplishments during WW2, or that they would celebrate them with a Nazi History Month?

[Temujin]

Because no citizens of Virginia fought for the Union; no sir.

And those that honestly fought for their state and not for slavery (just like Germans who fought for their country and not the Nazi ideal) can be honored during the generic commemorative history plate celebration. And still be reminded that they were wrong and that they still lost!

[Temujin]

The Maryland side of the Potomac sucks, the school systems are much worse, and so is the crime. That you even think you'll have a better quality of life in Maryland instead of, say, Fairfax County(as opposed to Mississippi North outside of the DC area) shows what a loser you are.

I know that a lot of areas on the Maryland side aren't that great, that why I said I'm considering it; with the idea that only if I can actually find something to my liking within a sane commuting distance.

I would rather live in Northern VA, but the way Old McDonnell and his cronies are acting after being in office for only a few months has me a bit concerned.

[CarsonPalmer]

And Albert Einstein worked for the US during WW2. Does that mean Germans should be proud of America's accomplishments during WW2, or that they would celebrate them with a Nazi History Month?

I think that Anguirus's comment was more along the lines of mocking the governor for claiming that it was Virginia's heritage motivating the move, not actually trying to exonerate him.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Because no citizens of Virginia fought for the Union; no sir.

And Albert Einstein worked for the US during WW2. Does that mean Germans should be proud of America's accomplishments during WW2, or that they would celebrate them with a Nazi History Month?

I know Angurius very well. He is as anti-confederate as me, Mayabird, or Rogue9 (In other words, Sherman needs to be resurrected so he can finish the job).

So I will echo prior statements and say you are a tad off-base.

[Darth Wong]

I know Angurius very well. He is as anti-confederate as me, Mayabird, or Rogue9 (In other words, Sherman needs to be resurrected so he can finish the job).

So I will echo prior statements and say you are a tad off-base.

I think anyone who reads this thread would read that post the same way I did. In fact, several others did precisely that. If he's parodying someone, he didn't do a great job of getting that across.

[eion]

On a statewide basis, but not on a county-by-county(or even municipality by municipality) basis. Besides, if that was really the the driving reason they would have moved to the District(oh wait...too much crime and social ills there, even more so than in Maryland. Looks like my political principles only extend so far!)

There is a certain ammount of vitriol that rises up whenever one pays the salary of a guy who's driving your state into the 19th century as quickly as he and his lapdog of an A.G. can.

I feel the same sense knowing I'm funding Virginia's tilting-at-healthcare pointless, wasteful, frivolous lawsuit through my taxes.

And they fact that a strict reading of Virginia's Anti-Marriage Amendment means I cannot enter into ANY private contract of any nature with another gay Virginian.

For lovers my ass. Lovers of what, Racism, Bigotry, and Slavary?

[Lonestar]

Lonestar just likes urban sprawl low taxes more than his principles. Which is why I like him.

The 2010 Census is awesome, because it'll likely result with PWC, Fairfax, Loudon, Arlington, and Alexandria seizing control of the State Assembly after the redistricting occurs. That'll teach those chumps in Mississippi North to call my fair city the "People's Republic of Fairfax".

I feel the same sense knowing I'm funding Virginia's tilting-at-healthcare pointless, wasteful, frivolous lawsuit through my taxes.

I do like that some of the local delegates helpfully set up an automated phone service so you can directly call Smuckatelli's office and tell him(his staffers) what you think of his asinine lawsuit.