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Column
By
Frank Gillespie
The Madison County Journal
February 28, 2001
Frankly
Speaking
 War re-enactments not
racist
They are at it again! The National Association of Always Complaining
People (NAACP) has now decided that Civil War re-enactments are
based on "racism and hatred."
The latest outrage involves an annual re-enactment in Louisiana
that reflects the Union invasion of the Western Confederacy in
1863. It is sponsored by the Jesse M. Cooper Camp #1665 and the
Order of the Confederate Rose Emma Sanson Chapter.
Local NAACP leader Rev. James Piper declared that the war was
over 140 years ago and the flags and uniforms of the Confederacy
should be placed in museums. Piper proclaimed that "....
The battle flag is a racist symbol and many who honor it are
also racists."
Piper was also disturbed that school children were being brought
in to view the programs. But most of all, he was affronted that
someone would dare conduct a Southern program during Black History
Month. He claimed that the National NAACP opposed all re-enactments.
These re-enactments depict actual history. They are accompanied
by displays of the equipment, weapons and food used by soldiers
on both sides. The flags, uniforms medical kits, even the biblical
tracts, are just as they were during the war. Re-enactors come
from descendants of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Anyone
attending one of these events will come away with a much better
understanding of the sacrifices made by both sides of that unfortunate
war.
The NAACP does not care about true history. They use any fallacy
they can cook up to support their irrational demands. When confronted
by historical fact, they cut and run. Then from behind their
foundation of public ignorance, they repeat their false attacks.
I have warned you time after time that the radical blacks are
not motivated by true concerns of racism. They have to have a
device to use in their political and economic extortion. Therefore,
any time we give in to one of their demands, they will immediately
find a new reason to be offended. They will continue playing
this game until every vestige of Southern culture is gone. After
that, they will start on our Celtic heritage. They must have
a target at all times.
Why do they do this? The radical blacks are promoting a far-left
socialist agenda. They know that their all-powerful government
ideas are not acceptable to Americans, especially Southerners.
The Confederacy represented the original concept of limited federal
government with primary political responsibility assigned to
the states. "States' rights" is still the leading political
opinion of Southerners. Therefore, the traditional South constitutes
the primary roadblock to their ability to force their radical
politics onto an unwilling public.
By attacking all things Southern, they hope to intimidate our
leaders into submitting to their demands. Either we do as they
say, or we will all be labeled "racist."
If King Barnes thinks that he has solved his problems with the
NAACP by caving in to their demand that the Georgia flag be changed
against the will of the people, he is about to get the surprise
of his life. Now that they know that he will cave to their pressure,
he can expect a long list of new demands. Their new tactic of
attacking historical re-enactments is proof of that.
Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal.
His web page can be accessed at www.mcga.net. His e-mail address
is frankg@mcga.net.
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Column
By Margie
Richards
The Madison County Journal
February 28, 2001
A Moment
With Margie
 Bits and pieces
I ran across an interesting little magazine the other day. It
is called "Bits and Pieces," and is full of funny quips
and little pearls of wisdom. I would like to share a few "bits
and pieces" of it with you, along with some of my own thoughts.
One little story I read was called "a short course in human
relations."
It begins with the six most important words: "I admit I
made a mistake."
This is often the hardest thing to do - I speak from personal
experience. Even when admitting we made a mistake, we often qualify
the statement with a "but."
'But, I meant well,' 'but so and so did it too,' 'but I was told...'"
The words are most effective when we can say them and leave them
just as they are - "I'm sorry, I made a mistake, period."
The five most important words: "You did a good job."
If parents could only realize the power of these words as their
children are growing up - what confidence they would inspire.
Everyone loves praise, a child most of all from a parent, even
if they don't show it.
(Another equally important five words for children, in my opinion:
"I am proud of you.")
And employers could realize untold benefits from praising their
workers for a job well done - and by doing it at least as much
as they point out shortcomings.
The four most important words: "What is your opinion?"
Most of us are always ready to tell ours, but often less ready
to openly listen to someone else's, especially if it differs
from our own.
How much wiser would we be, if we could all shut up long enough
to listen sometimes!
The three most important words: "If you please."
(Or, what would you like to do?)
Another three words even more important, in my opinion are: "I
love you."
The two most important words are: "Thank you."
We should never be too busy, too stressed, or too thoughtless,
to say these words.
(And if we are, we should remember to say two other words - "Forgive
me.")
The one most important word: "We."
When we can think of ourselves as "we" is when the
human spirit is most strong.
Not just when we are "Americans," "southerners,"
"Georgians," "Madison Countians," or "blacks,
whites, men or women" - but just we, us - together.
"We" all live in the same world, under the same sun
and were created by the same God.
The LEAST important word: "I."
That's a hard concept in this age of doing what is best for "me."
Doctors have said for years that optimists survive disease and
generally have better health and live longer. The following are
some "tips" that were given for achieving that:
"Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
"Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person
you meet.
"Make all your friends feel there is something special in
them.
"Look at the sunny side of everything.
"Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect
only the best.
"Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are
about your own.
"Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater
achievements of the future.
"Give everyone a smile.
"Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no
time left to criticize others.
"Be too big for worry and too noble for anger."
And another thing to bear in mind, when we get so disgusted or
tired of what we see around us:
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Gandhi
Margie Richards is a reporter and office manager for the Madison
County Journal.
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