Good historical discussion is not about simply voicing random unsubstantiated thoughts, but expressing your perceptions of historical events, people, and issues according to available evidence. I shouldn't have to ask you to gather information to support your beliefs, you should already have it or be prepared to provide it when questioned.

Are you for real? You think we're sitting around in an archives and history department, with dog-eared books, ready to answer your questions? ROFL!..wait...wait...ROFL! The closest thing in reach to me is a box of raisinets.

"don't offer much more than casual musings"

As I intended. Your not spouting off a lot information or references of any substance so why so I break my back for you? This whole string of post is worthless to me; but dang entertaining seeing you put calluses on your fingers.

"I only care about opinions that can be backed with historical references and fact."

You first.

"you should already have it or be prepared to provide it when questioned."

Okay, heres a question...who all was involved in the cause of the Civil War, why did they do it, and what effect did the start of the war have on the turpentine market? I'll wait.............................................

While your gathering your information...

"Then again, maybe I ask too much. Trained historians come to expect this approach to history, but many people do not. This is a casual history discussion site, and perhaps should not be held to more serious standards. There are many other people on this site who provide information to support their ideas, so I don't think the problem is rampant."

When a trained historain starts posting I'll point him out you, we usually don't let them out without supervision.

"In any case, you are of course free to discuss history however you would like. I would only suggest that you won't get too far asking others to pay you to research your own claims."

Thank you for your permission but I'll do as I please; don't worry about it, my post are on the house.

"Maybe that it is the biggest difference between us --- I only care about opinions that can be backed with historical references and fact."

I guess so, because I care about more than that, in reference to history on this board, woe to the ignorant, for their not going to be ignorant for long; we're here to help all we can, and make friends too.
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David Upton