Things I Have Learned

[unionblue]

To All,

Just had a thought that I would list all the things that I have learned since becoming a member of this board.

I list these lessons not for the purpose of debate, but simply a listing, an account if you will of what I have been taught by the other members of this board. You are invited to list your own discoveries if you wish.

I have learned the following:

The North did not initially go to war with the South over the issue of slavery.

That there was a letter from Lincoln to Fox discussing the possibility of the South firing the first shot of the war by firing on Ft. Sumter.

That tariffs had nothing to do with causing the Civil War.

That one must take an entire document, speech, letter, etc., in its entire context if one is to truly understand what it means and what the writer intended to say.

That you should check your sources, not once, not twice, but countless times.

That the word 'Because!' is not a reason or historical fact to be trusted.

That the more I learn about the Civil War and its people and times, the more I know just how little I have truly learned.

That the production of corn by the United States problably had more to do with keeping England out of the Civil War than all of the diplomatic efforts of Lincoln's administration.

How to count to ten in English, Spanish, French and Turkish and then count some more to hold my temper in check.

That there are people in England, Canada, Australia and other countries who are interested in America's Civil War.

That Ami is not to be trifled with.

That Mike works extemely hard.

To apologize to fellow board members over any precieved wrong.

That the tariff had nothing to do with causing the Civil War (and yes, I am repeating myself).

That hundreds of thousands of Southern men fought for the Union.

That thousands of Northern men (and Canadians) fought for the South.

That there is no such thing as the 'good old days.'

That there are many people in the world who are truly interested in history and its preservation.

That slavery exisits in the world of today and that I can never eat Hershey's chocolate again (thanks Tommy!).

That I have learned more about the United States Constitution here at this board than at anytime during anytime in my life, either in school or out of it.

That I now have a deep respect for any soldier on either side of that conflict for what they endured and suffered for their beliefs and comrades.

I have learned that ordinary people going through extraordinary times do extraordinary things.

And that's about it for now. More to follow...

Unionblue

[Alabaman]

Dear Neil,

I'll be the first to submit that I truly appreciate you, as a member & friend, and that I greatly appreciate a man who places his convictions, right or wrong, upon the board for all to view. This is a sign of a true man!

Re: "the good ole days":
The good ole days are the ones in which we currently live.

I'll offer:
The War Between the States is just as hotly contested today, as it as in 1861-1865; possibly more so. (I truly never realized this.)

The CORE reason for the brutal civil war, was a supreme hatred of each respective section, toward each other. (I truly believe this after joining this little chat room.)

Providing some WBTS buffs/minor historians with the reasons your particular ancestor(s) fought against the Union via war letters, family documents and family oral history (and through conversation of the elderly with passed-on knowledge to them by the direct participants) will be totally rejected as "false" or "irrelevant" by some minor historians. (I NEVER realized this.)

"Sources" are apparetly everything.

Some peoples opinions are apparently more important than other peoples opinions.

Respectfully Submitted,
R.Lee Adams (Alabaman)

[sgtcsa]

I've learned, and many years ago, may I add, that slavery was NOT the only issue to drive the two sections toward that horrible conflict in 1861. I'm not particularly interested in whether anyone else believes that or not, because I know, and that's a fact!. You may have a differing opinion, but there is nothing wrong in that. There are a lot of intereting little bits, and some bigger bits, of the War, that I still do not fully understand, and unlike some of you, I just do not know it all. However, there are still some here, that I have actually learned something from. There are still a lot of in debth incidents of the War, that I have yet to learn, but what I do know, I can stand toe to toe with anyone on this board.

I have learned that there are individuals here who do seem to know it all, and all I can say to them is.......................all power to ya'. I have learned, that you can tell me about this great conflict, nothing....about those battles, people, places, that I do know. I have learned that my beliefs have no meaning with some here, but that too, is okay with me, because my education has taught me that there will always be those who will try and argue, browbeat, or belittle you, into submitting to there ideals, and to make you believe that their 'sources' of information are THE sources to be believed.

I have learned that the ideals on both sides, sometimes were not of the best intentions, and that both sides made mistakes. Like our collegue, Mr Alabaman, I believe that this board has brought out the fact, that the two sections still, after some 140+ years, still have animosity toward one another, which, in those dark days of 1860, hurried those two respective sections charging toward each other into mortal combat. From the individuals on this board, I have learned that this very animosity toward each other, has carried over into this, the 21st century.

I also have learned, that this board consists of many individuals who can, and oft times do, have respect for the other side.

I have learned that there are some, who do not have respect for the other side, no matter which side they were on.

I have learned that, sometimes, descretion is the better part of valor, yet some have not seemed to understand that lesson.

I have learned, that even I, sometimes have said things that I should not have said.

I have learned that even I, have limits to what one can take, when it comes to being belittled for a belief.

I have learned that there are still those who believe that everyone who fought for the Confederacy fought to promote slavery, which shows a total lack of education on the average Southern soldier and his motives.

With Respect,
SgtCSA

[ole]

Unionblue:

I've learned that some believe in fairy tails.

I've learned that I don't know half as much as I thought I did.

I've learned that ignorance and knowledge are often confused.

I've learned that some adults are children and some children are adults.

I've learned that da*ded few have the foggiest concept of logic or debate.

I've learned that there are people with opposing views that present them with reason and calm logic. And there are some who are clueless.

Mostly, I've seen a slice of life I never knew existed.

Thanks for the thread.
Ole

[bill_torrens]

I've learned that

1. Southerners really are hot tempered

2. Northerners really are bluntly spoken

3. The British Empire is the fount of all evil

[RebAl]

It took England 300 years to get over their Civil War so I guess the Americans have some years to go yet!

Its good to see some peace and harmony breaking out on the forum it must be Christmas.

[bill_torrens]

Hi RebAl,

How are things up in the grim North?

By the way, do you know of any Geordies who served in the WBTS?

Bill

[RebAl]

Hi Bill

Things are still grim here in the North

Re: anybody from up here fought in the WBTS to be honest I would like to say yes but unfortunately I have never come across anyone, although I would have liked to have thought there were Geordies in the conflict can you imagine their battle cry "Howway lads lets gan and getum"

[Alabaman]

Additional reflections Ive learned while on this chat room....

I agree with SgtCSA, entirely!

I've learnrd that some fine Englismen are here to truly study the WBTS and don't place their personal animosity toward the South, but realize 'civil wars' happen & make woderful photos of CS soldier memorials

I've learned that other Englishmen are hot tempered, but rely upon their 'veil' of wit to disguise it

I also 'actually' realize that other forums exist which I am looking to join

I've realized that given the truth, many people will not accept it

I've realized that true friends are a true blessing from God

I've learned that people who don't belive in God continually cry out that Christians suppress their rights while they continuously & legalistically suppress Christian's rights to pray for in children's safety in schools where it is needed the most

I've learned to appreciate the efforts of the folks who provide this forum free gratis to us poor folks

I've learned agnostics really believe in God but desire to be PC

I've learned moderation doesn't exist now, nor did it in 1861

I've learned that some Northern people are very nice people
and I appreciate them

I've learned that other Northern people hold ALL the Southern people responible for slavery and hold great animosity against all true Southerners

I've learned that only a minority of Southern people held slaves; I already knew my people didn't & wouldn't even though I've been directly as told as fact, they did & still would

I've learned why people are afraid to give their opinions on posed questions; they're afraid of unreasonably attaining a bad label & of being pesecuted for it, therefore censorship reigns in America the free

I've learned that the Confederate Army of Tennessee can be justly compared with the US Army in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations WW 2; both held the most important military positions and both were VERY under-rated in history. I had two family members in each of these military forces

I've learned the South should have never fired the first shots of the WBTS

I've learned that the perception of most Southerners by other regions/countries has been unfairly slandered by the liberal press

I've learned liberals beat Southerners in the "hot temper" race

I've learned that to look into a fellow members photo of their children, proves that God is a definite reality, although I knew this was true all along

I've learned to respect both Union private soldiers & Confederate private soldiers; they WERE the ones who paid the HEAVY price for other peoples lack of moderation

I learned joking and having fun is going the way of the dinosaur

I've learned, as Bubba said about shrimp recipes's in the movie "Forrest Gump"; "and that's all I know about that."

Just My Personal Observations, take it or leave it.

Respectfully Submitted,
Alabaman

[rbenne]

not so much from this board but from my ACW activities over a large number of years I have learned the following.

THose who own a book on the ACW know everything there is to know about it
THose of us who have dozens/hundreds/etc of them know we dont know a dang thing

Now a question, Unionblue said "That the production of corn by the United States problably had more to do with keeping England out of the Civil War than all of the diplomatic efforts of Lincoln's administration."

I have no idea what that one is about, can you point me to where that was discussed? its the first time I ever heard that one.