Jim, I know you are definitely a Southerner and, like many of us, see things through the prism of our heritage. What sets you apart from some folks we know in common is that your posts do not come across as partisan or biased. They are always frank, honest, straightforward discussions of Civil War issues. I wish more people would try to discuss Civil War issues as intelligently as you do.

BTW, I'm not ready to get back on the News and Views board quite yet. I think I'll wait and see if your changes bear fruit. The N&V board serves a good purpose, though, in providing an escape valve for folks to blow off steam somewhere other than the State boards.