That was a gentlemanly and forceful response to Mr. Meyer.

Author Bud Bultman was keen to point out the role of the police during these events. The local police in East Germany, Romania, and Czeckoslovakia were sworn to protect Communism and the dictatorship. The tide began to turn when the policemen began to sympathize with the dissidents.

Much amused during the Iraq war when shoring up the Iraqi Police was considered vital in shoring up a “free and peaceful” nation. Presumably the “Iraq Police” force was commanded by and answerable to the head of state: Chalabbi and later al-Maliki. I suppose there is no need to point out the contradiction between this, and community and municipal peace officers sworn to serve the citizenry by restraining the criminal element.

O, Sheriff Andy and Deputy Fife; where are you now?

You disappoint me, sir; you know better than that. While you and I are on opposite sides of the issue, I’ve always respected your writing (and even agreed with you once in a while). You’re wrong, but even intelligent people are wrong on some issues.

These are not history books. They are accounts of those who lived during that time period (while many of these were written years after the war and “Reconstruction”, the authors experienced it first hand). When we speak of history being written by the victors, we are speaking of the “Monday morning quarterbacking” that puts the victors’ “spin” on the events. These would be considered the original source material that the history book writers should have been using and referencing and quoting from.

Thanks for stopping by.

I’ve just taken a few minutes to look through a couple of the items listed in your post, apparently put up late last night – “Reprint Resources”.

Thank you for the time and effort you’ve put into this. While there are other listings on the web, this seems to be one of the best I’ve run across. I’m looking forward to spending some time in it and learning from it.

Peter S. Kelley
Mountain City, TN

I believe that you are following the traditional rules of etiquette just fine. I don’t know the details of where that rule originated, but there are almost always some very practical reasons behind rules of etiquette – or any other social beliefs and traditions, for that matter.

I have read your post and I completely agree with these thoughts. I do however have to ask one question. Being a person who works in the engineering field and wears a hat/cap daily I find myself removing my hat/cap when I physically sit down (whether it’s a restaurant or anothers home.) I know this isn’t traditionally good manners but I feel if you stay long enough to sit then you should remove your hat/cap.

The first sentence of his reply:
“The idea of the “Southern Gentleman” has fooled a lot of people for a long time.”

And the last sentence of his reply:
“Sorry, while Lee learned to outward manifestations of dress, and spouting a few scriptures, he was a brute.”

As I have written previously, I have no doubt that Robert E. Lee had days when he shook his head and wondered how he could have done such a thing. He was, after all, a sinful man just as every descendent of Adam is. The difference was, he understood that and did his best to overcome it and be a gentleman – and he was extremely successful at it.

Apparently, there is just something in human nature that wants to tear down anything that represents what is good and noble and just and honorable. Southern culture tries to subdue that tendency. Yankee culture apparently sees it as a virtue – if there are no heroes and noble role models, then “everyone is as wicked as we are.” That is basically where America is today as a society – the wicked and perverse and petty are worshiped, while those who strive to live in a righteous and noble manner are mocked and ridiculed and scorned.

Countering that trend is why we are here. As stated on the “About” page, our number one objective is to promote, encourage, and defend the code of the Southern Gentleman and Southern Lady as guidelines for daily living. Click on the “About” link for more on why we’re here.