I couldn't agree more with your statement - and the tone in which you presented it.

Lets also not forget the clannish nature of the Scotch-Irish and how that psychology was expressed during those dark times. One of my many CV ancestor served in the 10th and was injured and captured at Second Cynthiana.

So much pointless pain and loss - and so much false patriotism and revisionism is a sad abuse of our history. Pride in service is honorable, pride in a flawed cause - regardless of the century - is always wrong. With but a few obvious exceptions, politicians regularly use the lives of our young men for their own ends, and the people eagerly buy the lie.