Old Virginia Blog

14th Annual Civil War Seminar - Liberty University

2009-11-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

March 26-28, 2010

Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr.
Key Note Address

Kent Masterson Brown
John Hunt Morgan

Scott Patchan
Phillip Sheridan: The Man Behind the Myth

Dr. Brian Wills
Nathan Bedford Forrest

Eric J. Wittenberg
Custer and the Calvary Actions at Gettysburg

Jeffrey Wert
JEB Stuart

Horace Mewborn
John Mosby

Clark Hall
The Battle of Brandy Station

Dr. Brenda Ayres
Flora: Mrs. J.E.B. Stuart

Steven Alexander
George Custer During the Latter Part of the Civil War

Delanie Stephenson
Libbie Custer: In the
Shadow of Her Husband

Rev. Alan Farley
Period Church Service (Sunday, March 28, 2009)

More details here.

A Judeo-Christian Nation - What A Miracle

2009-11-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes

Celebrating America & My Ancestors

2009-11-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

And Happy Birthday to my Scots-Irish, Monacan Indian bride.

Political Correctness Is A Fact - UPDATED

2009-11-15T19:03:00.010-05:00

Why are some academics so defensive about political correctness? Methinks they protest too much. Dave Barry says they are "intellectually constipated." Perfect.

*Regarding this issue, one of the things that is becoming increasingly clear is the fact "professional" historians don't like the fact that amateurs now have a forum (the blogosphere and more publishing opportunities) to publicly discuss historical perspective, challenge interpretation, and that even an amateur historian can point out mistakes made by the professionals. They fear the walls of their ivory towers have been breached. Some have even suggested those who disagree with their interpretations should be charged criminally. You would have expected those in academia who claim to be the guarantors of free expression and thought to have severely chastized someone who even suggested such a thing. The response was, however, extremely muted. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised.

The fact that some historians don't like the phrase "political correctness" (and even poo-poo the very concept--which is, based on the mountain of evidence, rather embarrassing), is further evidence that they don't like to be challenged. I believe their "concern" over the PC charge is because they are either complicit in the suppression of views and opinions which challenge academia's "official" interpretation of historical facts or, they fear speaking out on the issue in any meaningful way. What might their peers think? Of course, some have actually bought into the whole notion of politically correct history. Also, the PC mentality is often couched and subtle; giving the person plausible deniability.

When reading some of the comments made by the PC deniers, there is always an aroma of condescension directed toward the amateur or non-academic who would dare challenge the views of academia. Reacting to a challenge, the academic is always quick to point out the fact the challenger is a "non-academic" on "non-professional" as though their self-erected pedestal should shield them from having their views challenged and that someone who is not a professional should even be given any credibility. I don't believe they have any idea how condescending and utterly ridiculous such a notion is. I can't help but be reminded of Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes. Most readers will recall that the story centers around two weavers who promise the Emperor a new suit of clothes that only the "wise" will be able to see. The new suit would be invisible to the "unfit" and those who are "just hopelessly stupid." Sound familiar? But when the emperor first appears in public, it takes a child to have the courage to shout: "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" Arrogance and fear are blinding vices.

Knowledge does not necessarily impart wisdom. Reading, studying, and researching history and applying common sense and life experience to come to an interpretation is not rocket science, though that is what some would want us to believe.

Lt. Colonel Allen B. West On Political Correctness

2009-11-12T07:00:00.007-05:00

Retired Lt. Colonel Allen B. West has written a thought provoking piece about the tragedy at Fort Hood and the connection to political correctness.

"There may be those who feel threatened by my words and would even recommend they not be uttered. To those individuals I say step aside because now is not the time for cowardice. Our Country has become so paralyzed by political correctness that we have allowed a vile and determined enemy to breach what should be the safest place in America, an Army post. We have become so politically correct that our media is more concerned about the stress of the shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan. The misplaced benevolence intending to portray him as a victim is despicable. The fact that there are some who have now created an entire new classification called; “pre-virtual vicarious Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)” is unconscionable."

You can read the rest of Lt. Colonel West's comments here.

Lt. Colonel West is a native Southerner and the same man who was reprimanded and fined for firing his pistol near a terrorist's head in order to get him to reveal information that ultimately saved the lives of men under West's command. He retired after the incident. He is an old-school American patriot and a hero who loves his country. If I had a son serving in the military, I'd want him under the command of a man like West. He was defeated in a run for Congress in 2008, but is running again in 2010. I predict he will win. I'm also predicting he will become a national figure. I'm supporting his candidacy and hope my readers will as well. He has a blog.

Did Political Correctness Kill Our Soldiers?

2009-11-11T07:00:00.005-05:00

Some bloggers and historians mock the notion of political correctness and even deny it's a legitimate issue. Those doing so are either ignorant or sycophants for leftist ideology; using their "expertise" to hide their agenda. Regardless, one should dismiss their "expertise" on any matters involving history and culture as they have no credibility.

Now, an increasing number of commentators, journalists, politicians, and others are speaking out on the recent Fort Hood massacre and how a "PC" mentality very likely contributed to the needless death of our soldiers. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., called this attack possibly "the most destructive terrorist act to be committed on American soil since 9/11." Ignoring what led up to this is, in my mind, criminal:

"A classmate of Hasan, meanwhile, told FoxNews.com that the warning signs were all there — the justification of homicide bombings; spewing anti-American hatred; efforts to reach out to Al Qaeda — but that the military treated Hasan with kid gloves, even after giving him a poor performance review."

And . . .

"There were definitely clear indications that Hasan's loyalties were not with America," Lt. Col. Val Finnell, Hasan's classmate at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. He and Hasan were students in the school's public health master's degree program from 2007-2008."

And . . .

"The issue here is that there's a political correctness climate in the military. They don't want to say anything because it would be considered questioning somebody's religious belief, or they're afraid of an equal opportunity lawsuit."

Read the infuriating details here.

And here. And here. And here.

A very sad state of affairs on this Veterans Day, 2011. Thanks to my stepson, my stepfather, my grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and all who went before them--and with them--all the way back to America's War for Independence and who fought and sacrificed for our Nation and the liberty we enjoy today. God bless their memory.

2010 Stephen Dill Lee Institute

2009-11-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Sons of Confederate Veterans has announced their lineup for the 2010 Stephen Dill Lee Institute which will be held at the Music City Sheraton Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. They've lined quite a roster of WBTS scholars to include:

Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo
Thomas Cartwright (Former Director of the historic Carter House in Franklin, Tennessee)
Kent Masterson Brown
Dr. Donald Livingston
Dr. Brion McClanahan
Dr. W. Kirk Wood

The lineup should make for an interesting seminar. Details here.

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

2009-11-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Historians Don't Learn From Their Own Discipline

2009-11-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

“A free economy will not break down. All depressions are caused by government interference and the cure that is always offered . . . is more of the same poisons that caused the disasters.” ~ Ayn Rand

Of course, Rand was speaking in the wake of the Great Depression. After the market crash, government sprung into action to save the day. The government raised the top tax rate from 25% to 63%, then to 79% and then to 94% and choked off capital formation – the lifeblood of CAPITALism – you see, it is right there in the name. The Government also allowed the money supply to shrink by 1/3rd and spread the Depression around the globe by cutting off trade. That turned a significant recession into the Great Depression. Not so, according to FDR. Roosevelt thundered that ‘The rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence . . . Practices of the unscrupulous money-changers stand indicted . . . in the hearts and minds of men …’ So what was FDR’s answer? The same poison that caused the disaster – government action.

Too bad many historians can't learn from what they spend all their time studying and teaching. That's what happens when you're driven by political ideology instead of facts.

Moved By Texans

2009-11-06T07:00:00.006-05:00

By now, most readers have heard about the massacre at Fort Hood, Texas (named after Confederate General John Bell Hood). Our prayers and thoughts go out to all the families of the brave soldiers who have been so cowardly gunned downed.

In 2007, in celebration of Robert E. Lee's 200th birthday, some Texans came all the way to Virginia to lay yellow roses at Lee's crypt at Lee Chapel in Lexington. I was there and snapped this photograph. Lee once saluted some Texas soldiers by raising his hat and shouthing, "Texans always move them!" Texans always held a special place of affection in the heart of General Lee. Today, as the Nation mourns the loss of our brave Texans at Fort Hood, they hold a special place in our hearts as well and we can say, as did Lee, "Texans always move them!" Their bravery in this sad affair has, once again, moved the hearts of Americans. Today, I return these yellow roses in their memory.

God Bless Texas.

(Click image to enlarge.)

Site Recommendation

2009-11-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have been friends with fellow Virginian John Taylor for some time now and we occasionally enjoy lunch together when he visits my neck of the woods. I'd like to recommend John's website for those who are interested in Virginia politics and government. The site is titled "Tertium Quids." The term is "Latin for third way or third entity." And John's organization "is composed of activists across Virginia whose loyalty and commitment are to the founding principles of our republic, rather than to party politics."

I think that philosophy is becoming increasingly cutting-edge in our Nation, with Virginia leading the way as she did at our Nation's founding. The term and philosophy has a long history in the United States dating back to the early 1800's in Pennsylvania and, more predominantly, in Virginia with John Randolph and Thomas Jefferson.

My hope is that this political philosophy will gain greater prominence with the new administration here in Virginia.

What Say Ye Now Governor Kaine?

2009-11-04T07:30:00.007-05:00

When Barack Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Virginia since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Virginia Democrat Governor Tim Kaine went bottom-feeding and uttered one of the most divisive comments I've ever heard: "Ol Virginny is dead." Kaine, drunk on the Democrat's sweep of the state, just could not help himself in trashing the voters of Virginia who had traditionally taken a middle-of-the-road approach to politics--electing conservative and moderates from both parties and earning the reputation as one of the best governed states in the Union.

Was Kaine suggesting that just because Virginia had helped elect the Nation's first African-American President that it was a "new day" in the Old Dominion and that he could proclaim Virginia purged from her past sins of prejudice and slavery? Where was Governor Kaine when, 20 years prior to Obama's election, Virginia elected the grandson of slaves and the nation's first African-American Governor? Where was Governor Kaine when the Virginia Republican Party, in 1988, nominated Maurice Dawkins; the first African-American to run for a U.S. Senate seat since Reconstruction? Did Governor Kaine vote for Reverend Dawkins or, did Kaine support fellow Democrat Chuck Robb and did that mean that Kaine was, at that time, part of "Ol Virginny?" Was Governor Kaine suggesting that, prior to Barack Obama's election, the citizens who had voted him into office were backward and bigoted? What was he thinking?

And what will Governor Kaine have to say now that the Democrats in Virginia, under his leadership as Governor and DNC Chairman, have just had their heads handed to them on a platter? Is "Ol Virginny" alive again Governor? Or is it just possible that you have failed miserably both as a Governor and as DNC Chairman and that Virginians want to put some brakes on the unprecedented growth of government your party is promoting? Is it possible that Virginians voted for Barack Obama last year because they really were hopeful that his message of "hope and change" truly offered something different in American politics? And is it now possible that they're experiencing buyer's remorse as they witness President Obama dismantle our free enterprise system block by block and push his hard left, radical, divisive, socialist agenda? That's not what most Americans believed would be the "hope and change" the President promised during his campaign.

As this is being written, Democrats hold both of Virginia's U.S. Senate seats and the Governor's mansion. However, all three men won their seats campaigning as "moderate" to "conservative" Democrats. Virginia is anything but blue, as most of the pundits declared a year ago. And now, the most conservative Republican ticket in over a decade has swept all three of the Commonwealth's highest offices by margins not seen since the sixties.

Politicians come an go, the pendulum swings back and forth, and those who think they have a permanent grip on power are the ones who are most likely to watch it slip from their hands. That is the lesson of history and one which American politicians never seem to learn. Arrogancy is a blinding vice.

Last night's returns in Virginia & New Jersey should send a very strong message to the Democrats who now hold overwhelming power in Washington. The voters in these elections seem to be saying "You had your chance and you blew it." What happens from now until the 2010 elections should be great political theater. The voters will be watching.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

2009-11-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Election Eve In Virginia

2009-11-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

Election Day Predictions: After the "experts" pronounced Virginia a "purple, going blue" state last year, the Old Dominion will return to her conservative roots tomorrow and the conservative party will sweep the state's three highest offices by double digits. Both Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli will be crowned rising stars within the Republican Party and within the surging conservative movement. Chris Matthews' tingle will change to a tinkle (and, appropriately, run in the opposite direction), current Virginia Governor & DNC Chairman, Tim Kaine, will suffer one of the most embarrassing defeats in the recent history of the Democratic Party, and President Obama will smoke more cigarettes (possibly with Virginia-grown tobacco) than usual. The Republicans will also pick up seats in the House of Delegates. I'll sip on some ice-cold apple cider (just a tad hard) and enjoy the show.

I'll have some post-election comments later.

Wicked Old Hags, Ghosts Of Yankee Soldiers, & Bobby Lee

2009-10-31T19:00:00.003-04:00

31 October - Reformation Day

2009-10-31T10:24:00.002-04:00

Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms. Powerful. One man, with courage and principle, can make a difference.

The Heritage Of Blogging

2009-10-30T20:25:00.005-04:00

"America’s political bloggers trace their heritage, their place in the body politic, to the Colonial era. Most of today’s political bloggers would have been quite comfortable defying the British Stamp Act of 1765, were they around 244 years ago. The Stamp Act was designed to impose government content control on the then 23 newspapers which served about two million Colonialists. Not one Colonial newspaper bought the properly stamped paper. In fact, the political content of the papers increased, to the alarm of the British authorities. On the eve of the Revolution, there were 31 papers in the Colonies, by the time of the Constitution’s ratification, there were 92, and by 1835, there were 1,200 newspapers serving 15 million Americans."

More here.

(The image depicts British officials fleeing from rioting colonists in opposition to Stamp Act.)

The Theme Is Reconciliation

2009-10-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks to fellow CW blogger, Kraig McNutt for bringing this to my attention.

Jeff Davis At Home

2009-10-29T18:00:00.009-04:00

(Photo from the Lexington News-Gazette site.)

Friend, fellow Virginian, and internationally renowned sculptor, Gary Casteel, recently escorted the new Jeff Davis statue to Beauvoir. According to the Beauvoir website:

"The statue will eventually be placed in front of the new Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum."

**Update: Regarding the relationship between Jim Limber and the Davis family, and to combat the agenda-driven, half-truths spread elsewhere, I would recommend the piece by John Coski of the Museum of the Confederacy.

"The evidence suggests that he [Limber] was a member of the Davis family in the same way that slaves, servants, and other dependents were members of white families—with real mutual responsibility and affection."~ John Coski

I think John presents a good, objective, overall view of the Limber/Davis story and relationship.

**Update 2: To correct the misinformation and distortions being propagated by another blogger, Coski's piece on Jim Limber is not being "used" for any purpose here, other than to provide balance and tell the complete story about Davis and Limber. The link I provided allows readers to read the whole piece written by Coski. Most readers are informed and intelligent enough to come to their own conclusions about the complicated relationship between Davis and Limber. As I already stated, Coski's piece presents an "objective, overall view of the Limber/Davis story and relationship" - something which those who are just pushing their agenda are incapable of.

(This blogger can't even get the artist's name correct. So much for his "accuracy" and attention to detail. By the way, how does one "use" someone's writings if they provide a link to the whole article, so others can read it for themselves, and refer to the piece as "objective"? The utterly ridiculous and false assumptions being made by this blogger border on the incoherent. I'd be embarrassed.)

Follow Up To Previous Post

2009-10-29T17:30:00.001-04:00

Here's a good example as to why we should distrust government: Public unveiling of the public option was closed to the public. Hmmm . . . perhaps Queen Pelosi is suppressing dissent and protests so her carefully choreographed dog and pony show can create the illusion of unity and public support. "The audience at the crowded press conference included Hill staffers, union workers, health care providers and students, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who thanked them for attending." What a phony.

More On A Great Virginia Tradition . . .

2009-10-29T07:00:00.001-04:00

Distrust of government . . .

"In the last several years, and most significantly since the election of the current administration and Congress, the trend towards increased Federal Government control over every aspect of the lives of Virginia’s citizens has been alarming. The time is now to turn the tide away from destructive big government policies, toward a less intrusive, less oppressive form of government; a return to the first principles intended by the founding fathers. I will apply these founding principles to every aspect of my work as your next Attorney General. For this reason, I have chosen the Gadsden Flag as a symbol for my campaign."

And Virginia's flag symbolizes that great tradition and our founding principles . . .

This healthy distrust of the government is an important aspect of American Exceptionalism. I worked in state government for 12 years. "Trust" me, that "distrust" is well-placed.

The American Idea - Distrust Government

2009-10-27T07:00:00.002-04:00

"At the heart of the American idea is the deep distrust and suspicion the founders of our nation had for government, distrust and suspicion not shared as much by today’s Americans. Some of the founders’ distrust is seen in our Constitution’s language such as Congress shall not: abridge, infringe, deny, disparage, violate and deny. If the founders did not believe Congress would abuse our God-given rights, they would not have provided those protections."
~ Professor Walter Williams, 21 October 29

More here.

and . . .

"We are trying on every front to increase the role of government." ~ Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), 26 October 2009

More here.

Which is why Americans distrust their government more and more with each passing day.

Jefferson-Hemings Controversy Not Settled

2009-10-26T20:55:00.006-04:00

Despite what some believe, the Jefferson-Hemings controversy has not been settled--and may never be.

"Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Jefferson did not father the children of his slave, Sally Hemings, according to William G. Hyland Jr., author of 'In Defense of Thomas Jefferson: The Sally Hemings Sex Scandal.' It was his brother, Randolph, "a ne'er-do-well,'' who had a history of consorting with his brother's slaves." ~ From BlackVoices.com

"Although the relationship between Jefferson and Sally Hemings has been for many years, and will surely continue to be, a subject of intense interest to historians and the public, the evidence is not definitive, and the complete story may never be known. The Foundation encourages its visitors and patrons, based on what evidence does exist, to make up their own minds as to the true nature of the relationship."
~ From Monticello.org

I've never explored this controversy to any extent, other than to read a piece a while back (I don't recall where) regarding the DNA evidence and Randolph Jefferson--TJ's younger brother; which the author of this book also addresses.

What Do These Trends Mean - Historically Speaking?

2009-10-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

"The Wall Street Journal has surpassed USA Today as the top-selling newspaper in the United States. The Journal's average Monday-Friday circulation edged up 0.6 percent to 2.02 million -- making it the only daily newspaper in the top 25 to see an increase." - Details here.

and . . .

"Fox News has pulled off another dominant quarter, claiming the top 10 cable news programs in 3Q 2009 and growing against 3Q 2008, while CNN and MSNBC lost substantial portions of their election-boom audience. Fox News averaged 2.25 million total viewers in prime time for the third quarter, up 2% over the previous year. That's more than CNN (946,000, down 30%) and MSNBC (788,000, down 10%) combined."- Details here.

and . . .

"Conservatives continue to outnumber moderates and liberals in the American populace in 2009, confirming a finding that Gallup first noted in June. Forty percent of Americans describe their political views as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 20% as liberal. This marks a shift from 2005 through 2008, when moderates were tied with conservatives as the most prevalent group." - Details here.

Anyone care to analyze these trends, given the historical perspectives of the media's relationship with Presidential administrations and Congress? My personal opinion is that the current administration, along with the current Congress, has ignored the lessons of history and overreached. Drunk with power, they have painted themselves in a corner. What do you think?

The Triumph Of Love & Transformation Over Death

2009-10-25T15:45:00.000-04:00