Jim Hoeft over at Bearing Drift has an interesting proposal:
If Virginia is ever going to move beyond the days of racial prejudice and towards Jefferson’s more perfect union, where all men are truly created equal, then we must take action to alter this holiday.
Therefore, in an appeal to Governor Timothy M. Kaine and the General Assembly, please join in signing the following petition to end the observance of Lee-Jackson Day, and create a new holiday: Virginia Heritage Day.
If it is truly about “heritage, not hate,” then changing the holiday makes perfect sense. (The same argument is true for the use of another Confederate flag.)
So head on over and sign the petition.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Carla the problem is the history books frankly. You see the characters of the civil war whether in your view were protaginist or antaginist have been used for purposes uncontrolled by themselves. You think descendents of Lee or Jackson are proud of how their ancestors have been twisted and shaped to be something other than the reality of their time. We call it revisionism or politcal correctness.
My passion as a a student of history began touring every battlefield with my father; a Pennsylvanian. You see Carla it transcends modern times as it did when these tours began in the early 70’s. Whats changed? Have Lee and Jackson changed? has there actions or words changed? Clearly not but perception have and why exactly is that? Its begcause modern day lenses are being applied to a culture of a different time and place. We expect people then to see the world as we do today and that simply, if your are to remain true to history, canot be undertaken if you are to have any creditibility. What should we say about those say in the industrial revolution concerning climate change? Could it possibly be they were particpating in an age that simply did not know any better or a time less evolved either in science or thought. I alaso challenge folks to find the word “racist” during the time and era in debate here. Exactly when did this word begin to be used in our history. Did Lincoln call the Southerns “racist”? I wonder why now we use that term as a tool of reflection and through a modern lense when there was no accussation of such by those on the side of opposition to the likes of Lee or Jackson. In fact, Lee was sought after by Lincoln and the War Department of the Union afterall regardless of his history or his ancestors of slave holdings. Evidently, the issue did not appear to matter much to them did it not? Why? Well, could it be that many many Union Generals held slaves or had families rich in tradition that had held slaves. Should we then turn our sights on every prson of character in our history who had association with the peculiar institution in the same manner and apply the same standard or are we saying we only apply it to those who took up arms.
Ask yourself if you even know in the mid-1800’s if people saw themselves as Americans first or say Virginians, North Carolinians or Ohioians or Pennsylvanians? And like those over at Bearing Drift who are rich the wealth of the same old rhetoric have yet to answer just why it is our current military is overwhelmingly filled with the ranks of Southerns who see place a level of service very high in its moral code; I wonder just where the roots of that come from friends??
That’s easy – cultural fetishization of the military and a lack of alternatives.
Lee was on the wrong side of history, and so are you. For good reason.
Excuse me Sir. Wrong side of history? Thats the point friend. I am a Virginian sir and therefor her history is my history and her totality is something I am very proud of peaks and valleys. I do not pick and choose what I like about it and praise that, but take it in its totality. In large part Virginia contributed as much as any other to our Founding doctrine sir, which apparently do not sit well with you either. Burn down UVA, its founder being a slaveholder, burn down George Mason, Washington & Lee and stop funding immediately V.M.I. with tax payer dollars as it fought on the battlefield at New Market for the Confederacy. Lets rename these institutions after those in which you prefer but have no connection to our States past I guess. The more and more this issue gets more feedback it even greater persuades me that those men were greater than those of us today as citizens for good reasons. How many of us would fight for something at great risk to ourselves and families and within our communities on a daily basis under what could only be described as depression like settings in cities like Richmond or Atlanta and continue to do even at ones own peril….gee it didn’t take long for some here to turn on the Iraq War in 2005 did it? Easy when its thousands of miles away isn’t it. Now imagine if it was going on here in our streets or State like Gaza today, what would be your view? Cut and run I imagine given you seem so fine with dislocating yourself with Virginia’s past; the good and the bad, the great and the tragic. Just curious but if you take away that history do you not undermine just how signifant it was to have Virginia support the President-elect in November? Just asking.
My ancestors, who fought on both sides of the war, are rolling in their graves at the sheer stupidity of some of these arguments.
What I got from Alter:
Sir, sir, friend. History, burn UVA. You are a cut-n-runner. Just asking.
Alter, I really don’t know what to say to you that’s useful in any sincere way. Except, maybe, to suggest that you spend a little more time reading what you write. I mean, I’m not in much of a position to play grammar/spelling cop, but some of your stuff is completely incomprehensible.
MB & Brian
It pains me to think that there are fools like you out there that may influence lesser educated people or bully someone with your complete fabrication of history and the truth. Secondly, how dare you insult Carla on how her parents raised her? Carla is entitled to her opinion just like you. Since you have thrown down the glove let me say that I have also read your comments on this subject over at “Bearing Drift” where you continue to insult educated people who unlike you have actually studied the Civil War. Your comments about the military
“why it is our current military is overwhelmingly filled with the ranks of Southerns who see place a level of service very high in its moral code; I wonder just where the roots of that come from friends?? “
This has changed my mind about you, you sir; are dangerous. Before you go insulting my family let me tell you who I am, I won’ t hide behind an anoymonus name like you accused History Scholar of doing over at Bearing Drift although he’s 10 times more informed than you ever will be on history. My name is Ward Moore by Great, Great, Great Grand Farther was a Scottish Captain who fought in the American Revolution My Great, Great Grandfather was Albert Sidney Johnston, my Great, Great Uncle was Joseph E Johnston, yes Confederate General’s, my Uncle lost a leg on Omaha Beach and my father’s unit the “102 Timber Wolves” were one of the first unit to cross the Rein in WWll. Myself I’m a Vietnam Era Vet and a retired Virginia Army National Guard First Sergeant with over 30 yrs of service and I would love to debate the Civil War and what our Military is made of with you face to face. I have served with some of the finest men in America from all races and religions. I always respected their beliefs and values and they respected mine. In all my years of service I never heard one of them complain about being stationed on a base named after a Confederate General which there are several, nor did I ever hear them complain about Lee-Jackson Day. These fine American deserve to be remembered as the facts of history record their actions and not be swept under the rug by COWARDS like you.
We rest tonight in the arms of old Virginia…my birthplace…my home…and I stand with honor to her and all of her trimuphs and sorrows…right or wrong…we are united and rest peaceful tonight because of a country who fought for what it thought was right at the time…may we all continue to share our differences but be willing to defend the cloth we all rely upon…our dear American flag and the freedom it offers to all Americans in 2009…
Wheeee!
“Lee was on the wrong side of history…”
Lee did not approve of slavery. My understanding is that, prior to the Civil War, one’s military oath was to his State. Hence, Lee’s duty was to his state, and he obeyed the call.
MB: How hateful. As if you didn’t know, Alter is blind jackass!
Awww, Zrii, that’s sweet. And I wasn’t even getting started.
Alter: seriously, read it.
~
Ward, I think you’re getting a little confused. Calm down.
MB-Showing your true character. Obviously not a Virginia Gentleman. So full of hate it seems that he would attack a disability like that. God aweful. Have you no shame, Sir? You must be a very very small person indeed.
Zrii, the only one doing any attacking here is you. Now settle down and leave your poor tail alone.
And me, Virginia Gentleman? No thanks. Hangar One, up with a twist. Please.
I do declare, Scarlett, you are trying my patience.
You will surely get the vapors if you continue!
Why is MB’s criticism any different than mine? I feel almost left out here…
However, I must say, this is as entertaining as a Manassas battle on a Sunday afternoon!
Pass me the picnic basket.