Honor Your Heritage…Get Inked!

I, myself, do not have any tattoos.  I have dated women with them, have friends with them, have one in mind that I would like, but at nearly 40, I am a bit too old to get one…IMHO!  But that has not stopped others from gettn’ inked with the confederate flag.  Here are some of my favorites that I have found so far.

 

The  last one I think speaks for itself in terms of how some people see the confederate flag.  Granted, not everyone who gets the rebel rag inked on their body is a racist, but you have to wonder about the noose and flag tattoo.  I also like the one on the back of the guys head…wonder if he is trying to cover up a barcode gone awry?!!!

Billy

Don’t Spend the Money When You Can Get it Free!

The Confederate Reprint Company is a neo-confederate site that specializes in books written during and after the War of the Rebellion with, need I say it, a southern viewpoint.  Now what I find very interesting is the claim that since the North won the war, they are therefore the Victors, that they have written the history.  From the looks of the titles at the Confederate Reprint Company that is not altogether true.

The site is run by Greg Loren Durand (Greg also runs Crown Rights Book Company, Goose Quill Press, and Classic Reels and Broadcasts Company) who must have hit on the idea (only a guess, not fully aware of where his material comes from nor do I care) for his site after doing a Google Books search for an out-of-print book to feed his desire to understand the War of the Rebellion.  Well, here is what he found…a great way to make money reprinting books whose copyright is no longer in play.  By all means there is nothing wrong with this, he had the idea and ran with it…bully for him.  But my question is, why spend the money when you can get it for free…??  Sure, the PDF format is on your computer and I like many history buffs want to hold the books in our hands, but these are not the original books…they are reprints!

Let’s look at a quick example: A True Vindication of the South at CRC- cost $19.00…not bad for a book compared to the prices of books at the bigger booksellers.  And now for the free version…at Google Books.  I think for my purposes, I will take the free version.  I will also be posting the addresses of the Google Books versions of his reprints in the future.

Billy Yank

Conundrum: New Confederate Monument or Save Endagered Battlefields?

 

My “good friend” Clint Lacy has posted pictures of the recent dedication of the JO Shelby monument in Shelby’s hometown of  Waverly, Mo.  Now the SCV or anyone else has the right to spend their hard earned cash however they want, but I cannot help but think of how much that bronze statue cost and to what real historical end.  On the other hand, the thousands of dollars could have gone to save a real battlefield where men died for what they believed in…whether right or wrong.

But I am sure this Shelby monument has it purpose of pushing the SCV/Neo-Confederate Movement in a new or profound direction under the guise of southern heritage.

Billy

It is All in How You Word It

Above is a photo of one of the plaques that greets visitors to Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia and is the final resting place of 17,000 confederate soldiers.  It appears that there is some concern over the care of the graves based on the posts over at the Old Virginia Blog.

No, contrary to popular belief, I am all in favor of those graves being protected, preserved and cared for by whom ever is willing to do the job and someone should be responsible for the care of those graves.  But what I have an issue with is the wording of the plaque on the cemetery gates.

The word slain is definedas follows: 1. To kill by violence.  Yes, war is violent.  2. To destroy or extinguish.  Well, they were destroy by the act of participating in the war and therefore their lives were extinguished, but not by purposeful design by the enemy…meaning they died due to the war.  Synonyms are 1. murder, slaughter, massacre, butcher, assassinate. 2.annihilate, ruin.  None of these synonyms apply to the deaths of these soldiers…again, they were soldiers and should have expected, at least, the possibility of death.  So why chose such a word to describe those buried in Oakwood cemetery?  I think it is very clear that the plaque chooses to make a judgment about the way in which the soldiers died and how they should be remembered.

I don’t think any of them need to be remembered as being slain.  They chose to rebel against the legitimate, constitutionally elected government and began a war in the name of slavery and met with the consequences of their actions…just as those who chose to defend the government and died facing the enemy.

Billy

Heritage for Sale on Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=180345808491

If you click the link above you will be taken to the ebay site selling 1 foot pieces of the orginal Tampa, Fl. confederate flag.  Here is the description from ebay…:

 

These are one foot square numbered portions of the original 30 by 50 foot Confederate Battle Flag which flew in the early Summer of 2008 at the Confederate Memorial Park under construction in Tampa, Florida.  This flag was hoisted on high on June 3, 2008 to celebrate and honour the 200th birthday of President Jefferson Davis.  Because of the very high visibility of this immense flag flying from a 139 foot flagpole and at the interchange of Interstates 4 & 75 there were 20 days of continuous national news coverage.  The effect upon the local community and the nation has been profound.  By the raising of this symbol of Southern Heritage notice was effectively given that a new era of proactive action by Southrons has emerged.  The victory which the Southern Heritage community is realizing in this is across the board.  The NAACP, the local chambers of commerce, the tourism industry and the politicos have all approached the organizers of this effort with an appeal to our sense of “community” in their effort to lower the flag.  The problem with this effort (on their part) is that our definition of “community” is vastly different from theirs.  Our community is simply people living together, working together, sporting together and just being together.  Their definition of community is based upon the “bottom line” (economically) and is premised upon the flawed concept that “perception is reality.”  Our hope is that we can bring this community and the nation to the understanding that perception must be based upon reality. For there ever to be a hope that a true community of respect for others is to be realized Southern Heritage symbols must be respected at the community table.

By purchasing this numbered flag segment you will in actuality receive a packet.  This will include a certificate of authenticity, a 4 x 6 picture of the flag being hoisted, a CD with the original music “Look to the Stars, It’s Who We Are ” written for this effort by Robert Lloyd, the CD “The Truth Concerning The Confederate Battle Flag” by Pastor John Weaver and other information explaining this project.  With a little creativity this segment & picture is certainly frameable.

By parting this sacred symbol into many parts we are but following the example of our Confederate forebears  at Appomattox in April of 1865, many of the battle weary survivors of the Army of Northern Virginia literally torn their battle standards into shreds to secret them away to remember and save a little piece of their Cause for the future.  We are doing the same.

This sale is a fund raiser which is dedicated to the completion of the Tampa Site, the Confederate Memorial Park of Tampa.

The first picture shows examples of the four of the possibilities for colour, that you will be buying.  If more than one piece is ordered there will not be a duplication of colour patterns.  The flag pieces are numbered as follows: 1-13 are the stars, 14 -99 are reserved for members of the Florida Sons of Confederate Veterans and 100 through 1,000 are for anyone else.  The second picture shows what else you receive for your purchase.  These items are the Certificate of Authenticity, the CD “Look to the Stars, It’s Who We Are ”, the CD “The Truth Concerning The Confederate Battle Flag” by Pastor John Weaver and a 4 x 6 picture of the original flag.   

Unreal…so much discussion and flap about this flag and now they cut it up and sell it on ebay.  Is this how they really feel about their heritage.  I know…the money will go to finish paying for this confederate memorial park.  I can only image that this park has no significant historical value other then to push a neo-confederate agenda.  Just think what that money could do for a endangered Rebellion site…like the cause of keeping Wal-Mart out of the Wilderness!!

 

 

What the Snappy Dressed Neo-Confederate should Wear for the 150th

When it comes time for the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War to be marked one needs to dress the part at all the public and privte functions one attends.  As I now get older, my waist line is not the same so I have been looking into purchasing a new set of trousers from my uniform and have come across some dress clothing ideas for the well dressed neo-confederate who wants to celebrate in true confederate heritage style!

All of the attire can be found here.

Yes, that is right folks, the Memorial Confederate Tartan Kilt.  It is not historic in any way that I can tell, but it is registered with the Scottish National Tartan Registry.  Not only is there a confederate memorial tartan color…

But a dress tartan as well…

Yep, one for around the house and one for your sunday best!  Just think, you too could look this good…firing your modern musket…

What more could the neo-confederate ask for?

Billy Yank

More: “How NOT to Honor the confederate flag”

Eventhough it has only been one day since I posted about how not to honor the confederate flag, I have found a few more instances of HOW NOT to honor the confederate flag that just baffle my understanding of how neo-confederates can complain about their heritage being violated and still display one of their sacred images in such a way.

Nothing like using it as a hood ornament on the old RV!

You can always turn a very nice period reenactment photo into a farb fest with your rebel flag coat!

And finally when the size of your “guns” forever prevent the wearing of sleaves, get a rebel flag tattoo…nothing says heritage like gettin’ inked!

Billy Yank

For the SCV, Tips on How Not to Honor the Confederate Flag for the 150th!

I have been wondering how the SCV will eventually decide to present their version of the War of the Rebellion during the 150th Anniversary now that they have established a website for informing its members about SCV events.  I stumbled onto the SCV Mechanized Cavalry the other day and spent some time looking at their extensive photo album and I discovered several photos that speak volumes on how NOT to honor the confederate flag.  But since these wonderful southern folks do it…I suppose it is just fine and dandy!  You be the judge!

Ah yes, the biker shorts…nothing like sitting on your heritage…or is it your hate?

His mamma should be so proud of him and his heritage!

Again, how proud the ancestors must be during a little splash in the pond, one grabs his junk for the camera while sporting a great heritage swimsuit…or are those the biker shorts?…who knows!

Ah, yes…nothing says I am proud of the sacrifices of my ancestors better than a cut up shirt and a rebel flag cowboy hat…busting a pose!

And finally, the Confederate doo rag…Hey look, the confederacy must have been big into pirates…love that puffy shirt!

Maybe southerners should first look at how they honor their ancestors and their beloved flag before they start ripping into the North and Abraham Lincoln during the 150th.  Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am not a big fan of the rebel flag…except in its historical context.  And I know that the American flag makes its way into many a clothing item as well.  But for those who have websites and committees established for the direct concern of heritage violations, one would think they would have more respect.

Billy Yank!

Fear the Mullet: Confederate Style!!

Nuff said!

SCV Gets Ready for the Rebellion’s 150th

The Sons of Confederate Veterans have established a website for celebrating the 150 Anniversary of the War of the Rebellion and you can find it here.

Their purpose is as follows:

The SCV Sesquicentennial Commission was formed to begin planning the SCV’s involvement in the 150^th anniversary of the Cause of Southern Independence. The primary goals of the commission are fourfold:

• To promote the observance of the activities leading up to, during, and following the War Between the States;
• To cooperate with and assist national, state, and local organizations with programs and activities suitable for the commemoration;
• To ensure that any observance of the sesquicentennial of the War Between the States appropriately recognizes the experiences and points of view of the citizens and soldiers of the Confederate States of America; and
• To develop and provide assistance for the development of programs, projects, and activities commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the War Between the States that have lasting educational value.

Nothing is currently being posted on the site, but I’m sure we should see something of interest in the coming weeks and months.