Civil War

What can possibly be said about the Civil War of the United States that hasn't already been said? Scholars and history-philes alike have disected it every way possible. What was the main cause? Who is the most iconic. I could easily spend hours typing about it, but instead, I ask you to think about it and what comes to mind when you hear it? Abraham Lincoln? Robert E. Lee? Emancipation Proclaimation?

Today is the 150th anniversary-the sequisentennial of the American Civil War. A great deal of ideals and feelings back then are still permeating today's society: government involvment, state's rights, etc. Every time that you think we live in a divisive time, read about the 1830s into the 1860s. Each generation has their own demons they must face, and usually the majority wins. That is what happened when 150 years ago, some thought people with different skin colors were inferior, inept and savage. Obviously by today's standards, this is ridiculous! Or is it? Remember, only 45 years ago, the Civil Rights movement was still pushing to illustrate that Jim Crow was wrong. Think about this, what thought are we as Americans fighting about now that 150 years ago, our descendants will look at and think the answer was so clear. It never is when you're living in that time; the "heat of the battle".

Just remember we all love America, and so did the Union and Confederacy, they just had different views on how to make this nation great. The "liberals" and "right wing" are doing the same today. Their patriotism should not be called into question, what should be remembered is there are two sides to every story, and the truth usually can be found somewhere in between.

I think what Abraham Lincoln said in response to the Virigina Convention on April 13, 1861, where they cited why they were leaving the union, sums up the patriotic swell inside us all: "And, in every event, I shall, to the extent of my ability, repel force by force."

That's pretty American to me. God bless the soldiers, families, and citizens that were involved in this four year bloodbath. You have made us stronger and our union better for it.