Re: Lid, Can and Libel: A Tree Falls in Nathan Bedford's Forrest and the Mississippi Department of M
Cole, welcome aboard. I must admit this is my first exposure to your work. Your piece is an interesting read and had me scrambling for info on Rommel and Forrest. I will definitely be looking into your other works and keeping an eye on your column here. If your intention was to kick the hornets nest, you certainly have done that. Might want to make sure you don't get your foot lodged in it though. ;)
Your book has an interesting premise, especially considering the contrasting personalities of Rommel and Forrest. There is no doubt Forrest was a brilliant military strategist, but was particularly vicious on and off the battlefield - which was common in this era. Rommel was also a brilliant strategist and had studied Forrest and his tactics, but was also respected by his opponents (including Winston Churchill) for being a gentleman soldier - quite in contrast to the vast majority of German WWII leaders. As for the license plates, I could see honoring Forrest for his tactical brilliance, but his post-war activities in an American terrorist organization would seem to squash the idea, especially considering the significant amount of the current population of Mississippi that would have been targeted. Having spent the first 13 years of my life north of the Mason-Dixon line and almost 20 years south of it, I've learned there is a fine line between heritage and hate. This would seem to fall too close to the gray area for comfort. There are monuments a-plenty to Forrest, including a state park and a former WWII army base. State sanctioned license plates honoring him is a bit much.
Now we come to a sticking point. We have gone to great lengths to leave politics and religion at the door here on BangShift, and it has served us well. You are venturing towards the edge of that chasm, and sending many of us hurtling towards it. Please mind your step.
Brian, I trust your judgement and am interested to see where this goes. This is your house. Just remember it is also our home. This could be very interesting.
Cole, welcome aboard. I must admit this is my first exposure to your work. Your piece is an interesting read and had me scrambling for info on Rommel and Forrest. I will definitely be looking into your other works and keeping an eye on your column here. If your intention was to kick the hornets nest, you certainly have done that. Might want to make sure you don't get your foot lodged in it though. ;)
Your book has an interesting premise, especially considering the contrasting personalities of Rommel and Forrest. There is no doubt Forrest was a brilliant military strategist, but was particularly vicious on and off the battlefield - which was common in this era. Rommel was also a brilliant strategist and had studied Forrest and his tactics, but was also respected by his opponents (including Winston Churchill) for being a gentleman soldier - quite in contrast to the vast majority of German WWII leaders. As for the license plates, I could see honoring Forrest for his tactical brilliance, but his post-war activities in an American terrorist organization would seem to squash the idea, especially considering the significant amount of the current population of Mississippi that would have been targeted. Having spent the first 13 years of my life north of the Mason-Dixon line and almost 20 years south of it, I've learned there is a fine line between heritage and hate. This would seem to fall too close to the gray area for comfort. There are monuments a-plenty to Forrest, including a state park and a former WWII army base. State sanctioned license plates honoring him is a bit much.
Now we come to a sticking point. We have gone to great lengths to leave politics and religion at the door here on BangShift, and it has served us well. You are venturing towards the edge of that chasm, and sending many of us hurtling towards it. Please mind your step.
Brian, I trust your judgement and am interested to see where this goes. This is your house. Just remember it is also our home. This could be very interesting.
Comment