Chase,

Read this whole thread and I believe I get the intended meaning of your post. I do take exception to you using SHAPE as an example, but I do understand. That said I would also like to extend another invitation to you to visit our board. You can never know what we are about if you don't visit. True?

We defend Southern Hertiage using all available facts and sources we can find. Why Southern Heritage, because our heritage is what is under attack at this time. Sort of goes to the question "why are you still fighting the war?" The answer is why are ya'll still attacking? When the attacks stop, then we can all rest.

What is not noticed is that SHAPE has also worked to defend the Union man too, right here on this board. One instance a poster stated how her grandfather served with bravey in the USCT and how they fought and died alone side of the bave Union soldiers. Well the truth is I reserached this USCT unit and they NEVER saw combat. And then there is the term "they wouldn't have won without us" A SHAPE member posted the loses by USCT and found they were awfully low compared to the white troops. And in defense of the SCV, they do work that is seldom noticed by non-members. I know of one instance they recovered a USCT bones and had them reburied to keep them from being washed away by a river. Just some "for instances.'

Now about the insults, that doen't happen on my board. Don't allow it. I have been called all sorts of names, insulted threatned with firebombing and other physical harn, right here on this board. I never insulted anyone until I was insulted in some manner. That is a fact. The reason I find most folks with Northern views get mad is becaus absolute true history in a brown paper bag is offensive and more often than not the North will be wrong.

You made mention that we would never be nothing more than local yokels or something of that nature. We have members from New Zealand, and Columbia, South America. We have supporters in Norway and Denamrk and England. Here in the states we have memberships from Mississippi to Oklahoma, Georgia to California. We receive a lot of support from Ohio and Illinois. We have been involved in issues from Florida,Texas,Iowa, and across to West Virginia. I honestly cannot say we have lost any of these issues. We waded in using nothing but good, sourced factual material. Ain't bad for a bunch of yahoos is it?

It is not a requirement of SHAPE for you to have a Confederate ancestor. The basic requirement is to be a researcher willing to reserach and find the truth. You must leave your emotions and feelings behind and let history speak for itself.

The invite is open, your move.

George