Confederate Colonel

The best history is your own history. Everyone has a history and discovering and documenting that history has a number of benefits:

An Appreciation for the past
So many of the wonders of modern-day life are taken for granted. Consider the every-day things that our ancestors didn’t have: dentists to prevent toothaches; anesthesia for medical and dental procedures; cross-continent travel in a matter of hours; instant communications; the ability to search a world of information on any topic from the comfort of your own home; and the list goes on.

A Personal Link with Historic Events
I am rather awe-struck by the fact that my great grandfather, William Pelham McGehee - the grandfather of my father (who is still quite sharp at 95 years old) - fought in the War for Southern Independence. That is just three generations ago! When I visited the preserved battlefields of that war, I stood on the very ground that he fought on and realized that the opposing sides were just yards from each other at Petersburg where he was captured. History is not an abstract concept for me because I have a personal link with it.

A Sense of Time and Connection with the Future
As I gather information on those who came before me, I do so realizing that it is being gathered for those who will come after me. Like an older adult planting a tree, it is done so knowing that its full benefit will be enjoyed by our descendants.

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Getting Started and a Software Review
My interest in genealogy comes and goes in spurts. After setting it aside for about the past 20 years, I have once again picked it up. The early records that I had worked on are now available only on faded dot-matrix-printed paper. The data files are so old that they are no longer usable. The good side to all this is realizing the progress that genealogy software has made over these years. I am using Legacy software, and it is an absolute dream to use. The old software that I used years ago forced you to work within a very narrow set of parameters. Legacy lets me record all sorts of information and either display it or hide it as needed.

Hide it? why would someone want to hide what they are entering? Identity theft - that’s why. Legacy lets me set an option on the reports that hides information about anyone who is currently living. I set that option to just show the word “Living” in place of their name. That is used for reports that will be posted on the internet for others to use. Legacy will also create a CD that I can distribute to other family members. That will be set so that all the information is displayed - unless I want to mark an individual as private. For example, if someone in the family had a failed marriage, they may prefer that it not be made a part of the family record. I can record it and set it to private so that future researchers will have that information, but not until those involved have died. Legacy’s privacy features make it so much easier to get distant family members to share their information when they know that it will be used in a way that respects their reasonable expectation of privacy.

What about photos? I am now able to include scanned images of all those old family photos that were once very difficult and expensive to share. There can be only one original, and for those who have been entrusted with them, there comes the responsibility to share them. Legacy lets me do that. I can add the photos and video and attach the files directly to the appropriate records. We have some audio recordings of those family members who moved from Alabama to Florida in a covered wagon. I will be able to add that audio to the CD to share with the rest of the family.

I did a rather thorough search for the genealogy software that best suited me needs, and Legacy was, without a doubt, the winner. There are other, more comprehensive programs available; there are other, simpler programs available. Legacy strikes the right balance for the serious amateur family researcher. I guess if you are planning to make a career out of doing genealogy research for paying customers, then perhaps the more comprehensive programs are worth the steep learning curve and the complexity. I can’t see the need for it, but perhaps there are better choices for those folks.

I might also add here that I write software for a living and have had my own software business (Adjutant Software, Inc.) since 1995. I can say with some degree of authority that Legacy is a well written program.

When I first started the Confederate Colonel forum, it was my intention to stay far away from all discussion of race. I believed that we, as Southerners, had been too closely tied with racial issues already; I did not want to add to that. It wasn’t until I watched the evolution of the forum that I realized that I was being quite naive in hoping to avoid all discussion of race. In no particular order, here are some key points on the topic:

1. If we had our way, The South would be a land where blacks and whites peacefully coexist as friends - either mixing together or staying apart as individuals see fit to do rather than by government enforcement. Blacks have certainly earned their place in Southern heritage, and they would be welcomed as fellow Southerners - not as “black Southerners”, but as Southerners. There is no doubt that our preference would be to simply not discuss racial issues here - because there were none; however, we are not given that option.

2. As much as we would like to see Southern blacks embrace Southern heritage and culture, it is simply not going to happen to any significant degree. That blacks fought in the Confederate Army is beyond question; that this fact is seen as an embarrassment by modern-day blacks is also beyond question. They are ashamed of the dedication, honor, and heroism of their ancestors who fought for their land.

3. The hostility that Southern Culture receives is, for the most part, either directed by blacks or by white liberals who are motivated by a false sense of guilt. There may be some hostility that is exclusively a matter of white Yankees without any racial overtones, but it is a very small portion of the hostility. The vast majority of hostility toward Southern Heritage and Culture can be either directly or indirectly attributed to racial issues.

4. We cannot turn our back and ignore attacks. “Turning the other cheek” is a well established Biblical principle given to us by God, but that is not what we are dealing with here. We will not respond by attacking that which blacks hold dear - but we will defend the honor of our ancestors and the rich cultural heritage which has been passed down to us.

5. I have read convincing, but circumstantial evidence indicating that the motivation for the NAACP’s attacks on the Confederate flag is primarily a fund-raising strategy. About 20 years ago, the NAACP was scandal-ridden, nearly bankrupt, and in desperate need of a “hot button” issue to motivate their contributors. Attacking the Confederate flag was a lot more palatable than something like a program to reduce the high illegitimacy rate of black children, encouraging responsible fatherhood, or encouraging black students to focus on getting a good education. They have apparently forgotten the meaning of their name: “National Association for the Advancement of Colored People”. The logic escapes me.

6. I understand the feelings of blacks regarding the history of slavery - as they see it. I understand that they see the Confederate flag as a symbol of slavery. The South is a nice convenient target as long as one ignores the facts of how those slaves were captured, who captured them, who bought and sold them, who transported them to America, the South’s efforts to peacefully end the practice of slavery, etc. What frustrates me is why some people pretend to be so easily offended and have so little regard for the beliefs and heritage of anyone but themselves.

It saddens me to see that racial strife appears to be a permanent part of Southern culture and heritage. At the same time, it is a relief to know that this is imposed on us by external forces rather than by our own choice. At Confederate Colonel, we welcome any Southern Gentleman or Lady, regardless of skin color. We have no use for “token” blacks to be paraded around to say to the world, “see, we aren’t racist - we have blacks among us.” No, we would welcome those of any race as fellow Southern Gentlemen and Southern Ladies - and hold them to the same high standards as any Southern Gentleman or Lady.

Sometimes we just need to be reminded of the proper position of a Southern Gentleman, so I am using this post as a reminder - to me most of all. It is far too easy to let the constant attacks that we receive become a festering sore and then lash out in anger. We strive to be Gentlemen here, and that means showing restraint in the face of adversity. All too often we fail; but then we get back up, admit our mistakes, and get on with life while striving to live up to the high standards we have set. Let’s remember that our focus here is on the Southern Gentleman and the Southern Lady - not on those who are hostile to those noble ideals.

Social and political forces are now lining up in a “perfect storm” against all we stand for. Let no one point to the Confederate Colonel forum and website and have reason to say we are not Gentlemen.

One of the projects of Confederate Colonel has been to develop a formal Code of Confederate Flag Etiquette. These symbols have been abused and desecrated not only by those who hate The South, but increasingly by well-meaning Southerners. This Code of Confederate Flag Etiquette is designed as a guide for those who respect The South. If Southerners will not respect the Confederate flag, then how can we expect others to respect it?

It is our hope that this Code of Confederate Flag Etiquette will be adopted by Southern organizations and individuals as a guide to respecting and honoring the symbols of our beloved South and those who sacrificed and died to defend her.

Following discussion on the Confederate Colonel forum, the Code of Confederate Flag Etiquette was released on 04/19/2008. The main web page for the code is here. It is also available in PDF format.

The Preamble to the Code of Confederate Flag Etiquette reads as follows:

The flag and other symbols of the Confederate States of America represent the dreams of a Southern nation for which our ancestors sacrificed their lives and their fortunes, and for the high and noble standards that we should once again strive for. The flags and other symbols of the Confederate States of America should be treated with the highest respect and never used or modified in a manner that diminishes the image of a great and noble South. Use of the Confederate flag should be held to the same high standards as any other national flag.

If we set aside the spiritual aspects and just look at the practical, the use of tools is what separates man from the animals. These are three of the most important tools that every man should own and carry.

Knife - Before the nanny-state took over, practically every boy in America - or at least every boy in The South - carried a pocket knife in his pants pocket on a daily basis. It was as normal and natural as wearing the pants that carried the knife. The usefulness of a good quality knife gives it the top spot on our list.

For most people, a medium size pocket knife is the best choice. Fixed blade knives are sturdier and better suited for many tasks, but a pocket knife is far more likely to be carried and available when needed. My own choice is the Buck Stockman.

Flashlight - The ability to see in the dark is a wonderful thing. From finding the right key and using it to open a car door, to reading the fine print in poor light, to identifying that noise you heard just before slipping off into a good night’s sleep, a good quality LED flashlight makes the number two spot on our list.

My choice for the flashlight that I carry at all times is a Fenix brand LED light powered by a single AA battery. My favorite all-purpose light is the Surefire A2. I am somewhat of a flashlight nut, so I will be quick to point out that the A2 is overkill for many folks. The Fenix or similar model would be an excellent choice.

Sidearm - The world includes a large number of truly evil people, and that number seems to be increasing at a steady rate. As society continues on its race to the bottom, the need to protect ourselves and our families and other innocents becomes ever greater. When it comes to effective personal defense, there is simply nothing that even comes close to a good quality pistol or revolver. Tasers and pepper spray have their place, but when your life or the lives of those you hold dear are being threatened, no other tool can match a sidearm in the hands of someone trained and practiced in its use.

My own choice for a personal weapon is the Smith & Wesson Model 640 - a 5-shot stainless steel revolver in .357 magnum. The caliber packs plenty of punch, yet the all-steel construction  means that recoil is still quite manageable. The rounded edges of a small revolver make it easy to conceal beneath clothing. Its internal hammer means that there is nothing to snag on clothing and makes it the ultimate in simplicity. There is nothing to think about other than safe handling, and identifying and hitting the target. It is the original point and click technology.

Something that each of these tools have in common is simplicity and reliability. Each must do its assigned task flawlessly. Make sure that you put quality first when purchasing important tools. This cannot be emphasized strongly enough. A poorly made knife will not hold an edge and can fail under stress resulting in a very nasty cut. A flashlight will not seem like such a bargin if it leaves you in the dark (it should go without saying that keeping good fresh batteries is a part of owning a flashlight). Hearing “click” instead of “bang” when you squeeze the trigger of a garage-sale bargin gun is going to leave you regretting that decision in the last few seconds of your life. Quality always pays when it comes to basic tools. There are places in life to scrimp - these are not among them.

How would you like to win one of the five new products from Vision Forum? We’re giving away one of the following (winner’s choice) to a Confederate Colonel forum member chosen at random. Please see the details at the end of this post.

*True Beauty: 8 inspiring CDs recorded at the 2008 Father and Daughter Retreat

*The 2008 Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy: an up-to-date look at the most important constitutional battles we face, an overview of the biblical and historical foundations of Western law, and a training tool for Christians who aspire to speak with precision to the great ethical and apologetic battles of our day. This album includes 24 CDs.

*Let Freedom Ring: 13 CDs from the Philadelphia Faith and Freedom Tour

*Lights, Cameras, Action! Highlights from the 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy

*History Has Been Made: Moments and Messages from the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival: Featured Speakers & Performing Artists Include: Kirk Cameron, Dean Jones, Stephen Kendrick, the Von Trapp Children, Charlie Zahm, Voddie Baucham, R.C. Sproul, Jr., Doug Phillips, George Sarris, Kevin Swanson, Chuck Bentley, Jon Erwin, and Ted Pittenger.

How to enter

1. If you are not already, become a registered member of the Confederate Colonel forum.
2. Post to the Vision Forum Giveaway thread no later than Friday, February 27, 2009. Please do not post more than once in that thread. (Not this blog - you need to post on the forum thread!)
3. We will select one post from the thread by using the Random.org random number generator to select a post number. We will post the winner and contact him or her by the email address used during the forum registration.

Today, Barack Obama signed into law $787 Billion worth of socialism. In his comments, he said what will likely come back to haunt him:

“I don’t want to pretend that today marks the end of our economic problems. Nor does it constitute all of what we have to do to turn our economy around. But today does mark the beginning of the end,” the president said.

While a good argument can be made that the beginning of the end started long ago, today will surely go down in history as a major milestone in this nation’s race to the bottom.

This is what celebrity worship looked like in the 1960’s as young girls screamed and worshiped a band called The Beatles. This same group of celebrity worshipers ushered in the era of radical feminism, abortion, disdain for the traditional family structure, the “sexual revolution”, rebellion against legitimate authority, and a feminized media.

What does your heritage mean to you? Do you see it as a part of what makes you who you are, or is it just irrelevant history? I thought about this while watching an old episode of The Waltons. It was about a Jewish family who had escaped to America from Hitler’s Germany. Out of fear, they hid their Jewish heritage until it was almost completely removed from their lives. The story, as you can imagine, revolved around rediscovering their heritage and taking pride in it.

Our heritage makes us who we are - or it does if we allow it to. By the same token, we are free to shed a negative heritage. In the SCV camp that I used to belong to, we had a true Southerner-at-heart who had a very thick yankee accent. He had rejected his yankee upbringing and adopted The South as his own. Just as an adopted child becomes a full member of his new family, he overcame his yankee heritage became a Southerner by adoption.

This morning I was at my parents’ house and the TV news was on (by the way, Dad just turned 95 on Sunday). I kicked the TV habit over 10 years ago, so I have only caught glimpses of the glass commode while visiting other folks or passing the appliance section of a department store. I finally understand how this country could end up voting for, and indeed worshiping Obama.

The local station has a regular editorial spot on the news where they tell their adoring flock of sheep how they should think. The vice president / general manager of the station went on a rant against the evil conservatives who dared to recommend that throwing money at public schools is not necessarily the best use of money taken from our pockets (it’s “for the children”, of course).

The fact that this represents the position of a major media outlet (CBS station in the Orlando, Florida market) made a powerful impact on me as I thought about how our media-obsessed society handles what comes out from the lips of media personalities. It is not too much of a stretch to say that American society has become a celebrity worshiping cult.

I am so glad that I made the decision to take television out of my life. There is a bumper sticker that several folks at my church have on their vehicles that really says it all - “Free Your Mind. Shoot your TV”. If you want to make a real change to your life - a very positive step toward freedom and living a good moral life - kicking the TV habit is a good place to start.

This picture really says it all. Just as the Clintons were well known for trashing the White House by doing things such as tossing half-empty coffee cups and splashing the contents on the walls, we see how the Obamazombies treat the site of the inauguration of their celebrity leader.

The White House and the area of Washington D.C. surrounding it are often referred to as “the people’s house”. This looks like a scene from the aftermath of Woodstock. Then again, it’s only fitting since so many of Obama’s supporters are the dried-up, worn-out  hippies of the Woodstock generation.

Even a dog knows to not mess in its own space. Apparently that bit of wisdom is lost on the “me first” culture that pervades American society today. The need for the Southern Gentleman and Southern Lady has never been greater - and never more lacking.