OK, look. Sorry that anyone’s Sat morning got wrecked; we all love our Saturdays. But the last time I checked this was a “views” board in which folks are permitted their opinions, as long as they are not profane, abusive, etc—which this recent string was not.

Partisan? You bet!

But have we lost sight of the fact that a mere 140 years ago, our various “opinions” were tendered with ball and bayonet? A more civilized expression of that deep partisanship runs strong on this board, and that’s part of what keeps it interesting.

But I think our incessant exposure to PC over the years has made us all a little too thin skinned and quick to take offense. How did the people of this country come to take offense so easily and so often? Seems to me that’s just the price of having the First Amendment. Why can’t we just say, “Well, that’s his opinion and I don’t happen to share it. Here’s mine.”?

The comment about the grand parade stands. Sorry that some soldiers died from heat exposure or whatever while marching. But that’s the way it goes. The parade was a necessary “close” to a very tough fight whose final outcome was arguably in question almost up to the very last. If the South had won, there would’ve been a parade just like it in Richmond.

We have had the discussion about God being on one side or the other before. Again, this was a personal “view.” Winners down through history have always said that God (a Man of War) was on their side, just like we did in WWII.

Again, I’m sorry if feathers got ruffled. There was no intention to target anyone, but again, this is a partisan deal. You got your side, we got ours.

With sincere respect and affection,

Mike