This is the Rant, the Whole Rant, and Nothing But the Rant. So Help Me, Rant.

Please allow me to mention that there was no planning involved with this hub. I just felt like a little rant and being in the bible belt, it ain't hard to find sumthin' to complain about. I would also like to point out that this is not directed at any one person. However, if what I say makes you mad, that just might be the sign, it's for you.

A story on the AP caught my attention as this "Historical Celebration" has been in the opinion section of my local paper for a couple of weeks now.

Broken link removed page no longer found

The Spartanburg Herald Journal actually published an editorial that in my opinion, was historicaly correct. This is probably due to my agreeing with them on most of their points and, this could be due to my starting my education in the north. Well above The Mason-Dummy Line.

Observances should remember real history, not cherished myths

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20101205/ARTICLES/12051020/1128/opinion01?p=1&tc=pg

We should have made more progress during the past 150 years. Observances of the 150th anniversary of various events leading up to the Civil War should be marked by a look at the real history of our state and nation, not the same fights about the myths surrounding the war.

While that may be the case with some observances of the conflict, there are clearly those who want to promote their favorite misconceptions.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that the Sons of Confederate Veterans will be holding a “Secession Ball” on Dec. 20 to mark the anniversary of the signing of the state's Ordinance of Secession.

Jeff Antley, an organizer of the event, told the Post and Courier the ball will celebrate the secession movement, which was “a demonstration of freedom.” “What I'm doing is honoring the men from this state who stood up for their self-government and their rights under law,” he said.

The Commander, South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Had this to say...

"The finger-pointing is always directed solely at the South, as if Northern states had no part in the slave trade. That’s the biggest myth. Slavery was not merely a Southern problem. It was an American problem, and Northern states cannot escape their share of the responsibility, in particular, its very foundation in America.

When it comes to slavery, the sad truth is that no state and no Congress ever suggested a nationally funded program to remedy the problem, not even abolitionists. The only solution Abraham Lincoln ever proposed to the moral challenge of slavery was deportation of free blacks back to Africa.

For decades, Southern states were angered by excessively high protective tariffs levied on various agricultural products, including cotton shipped to Northern factories, and were generally dissatisfied that the compact of states was no longer beneficial to them. Secession, which had been strongly considered by New England states during the War of 1812, was now the final solution to managing and handling Southern states’ own problems, a right they believed was protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans makes no claim that slavery wasn’t an issue, only that it wasn’t the primary cause but one of many. What is disingenuous about the editorial is the omission of all the facts that prompted South Carolina and other Southern states to secede. These indeed are relevant and should be studied by contemporary Americans. Ironically, those who take it upon themselves to study these issues may find many similar parallels exist today, much like those of 1860."

Mark A. Simpson

Commander, South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

The lie that the civil war wasn't about slavery is still being passed on as actual fact to new generations of southern baptists and home schooled students.

The entire culture and economy of the south was based upon the ownership of African American slaves. Any disruption of this system would mean the collapse of the entire way of life to the ruling white class.

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20101209/ARTICLES/12091006/1129/opinion02?Title=Thursday-s-letters-Professor-8217-s-liberal-bias

Age-old misconception

The Herald-Journal’s Sunday editorial, “Observances should remember real history, not cherished myths,” attempts to squeeze some truths out of the age-old misconception about “causes” of the American Civil War, stating explicitly that the war was fought over the “primary” issue of slavery.

"The Sons of Confederate Veterans makes no claim that slavery wasn’t an issue, only that it wasn’t the primary cause but one of many." Mark A. Simpson Commander, South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

I still see and hear this racist mentality in action on a regular basis and have to ask why it's still so prevelant in white, southern baptists to this day? People that I went to school with in the 70's still feel that the black race is an inferior race of people. Of course they feel the same way about the Jewish, Catholics, Islamics, Homosexuals, Mexicans...and the list goes on and on and on and on...

Hold on Folks, We're Changing Canoes Mid Stream...

Where does this need to feel superior to everyone else come from? Does it say somewhere in the bible that christians are supposed to dominate and control all who look or think differently? I don't recall reading or hearing that the bible states that christians shall hold dominion over all people who differ in some percieved way, do you?

Look Out, White Water Ahead...

Then again, I see very little in the actions of most christians down here in the bible belt that's bible based. It seems to me that the rules of the game are this, you don't actually have to follow any rules as long as you believe you should, and do everything in your power to force other to follow them. Since no one is capable of obeying all the rules you, and all who think like you do, are free to pick and choose the ones to ignore.

Ok, I'm better now. I am aware that this is not the mentality of all christians but would like to point out that it is the mentality of enough of them down here to control elections. Those elected to office with this mentality can't seem to follow any rules. Not the ones in the bible or the ones they pass for the rest of us to follow. Just a higher class of people who know they are better than the rest of us. But they sure is good christians ain't they?

Now, if you remember the actual subject of the hub had nothing to do with why the worst educated states in this country are also the most religious states. What does it say for christianity that it flourishes anywhere intelligence and critical thinking is lacking? Why do uneducated people tend to flock to religion and their fellow religious followers, for guidance and support? It's almost like there is an as yet undiscovered F.Gump gene that forces one to be repelled by independent thought, the truth and un-redacted history. How does one have the American History Re-Dacted to suit your beliefs? Send it to the christian conservative state of history and they will remove facts and substitute any lies and distortions you request. This is how the Chrished Myth becomes the accepted version of real history. Good plan there folks, keep the knowlege away from those who might have the nerve to believe the truth you can't accept. Pretty soon you end up with entire sections of the country that are too stupid to realize just how stupid they are. But they are smart enough to know that the scientists who spent their entire lives studying don't know anything, ya know. 

A semi-educated person can find the truth about the civil war and the reasons for it if they desire. The church and civic leaders in the bible belt attempt to cover up and/or distort the truth about this war and bible-belters flock to hear it.

It has reached the point that foreign student know more about American history than America history students do. This ain't abotherin' them that's raisin' up yougin' here the south no how.

The majority of voters in this area elect those who keep things the way they are. The quality of education has remained about the same here in SC since the 70's. You didn't really need to know how to read to get a high school diploma back then and I'll bet they still pass 'em out for good behavior today.

Well, if you made it this far, you might as well leave a comment. Peace everyone.