Yes, sir, sectionalism was a factor in the events leading up to the Civil War. I don't think anyone can seriously disagree with that. But this Celtic nonsense goes way beyond that. Remember the study someone on this board cited that purported to show that differences in DNA profiles in some English border counties constituted proof that Celts and "Englishmen" were two different races? Like most fringe theories, that study was carefully cherry-picked to "prove" the theory.

I hope this doesn't lead into another endless discussion of this so-called "thesis." If it does, I'm going to bow out. I'm too tired to argue it all over again. People generally believe what they want to believe, and nothing I can contribute is going to change their minds. So, as much as I revere historical fact, I believe I'll just sit this one out.