Confederate Flag: Opening up a dialogue (VT)

[struggle4progress]

By Nancy A. Olson
POSTED: 08/18/2015 10:15:22 PM
UPDATED: ABOUT 8 HOURS AGO

... "How do we engage people we meet who display a Confederate flag or emblem?" ... After establishing a connection with that person, one way to approach the topic, Reed said, is an appeal to familial heritage ... "Flying the Confederate flag serves to dishonor your own family," Reed continued. "Your relatives fought and died fighting against the cause that this symbol represents. How would your ancestors feel? How can you be a proud Vermonter and clutch the Confederate flag?" ... "We want to give people a reason to come here. Some people who see the Confederate flag here will turn around and say, 'No, Vermont is not a welcoming destination. It's no different from Alabama or South Carolina'" ...

http://www.reformer.com/news/ci_28663477/confederate-flag-opening-up-dialogue

[seveneyes]

1. "When Lincoln asked the northern states for half a million men, Vermont gave a million."

Vermont currently has a population of about 625,000 people.

I'm finding it hard to believe Vermont sent a million fighting aged men in 1863 or so.

[LanternWaste]

2. Oratorical Language Techniques can be difficult for many people.

Oratorical Language Techniques can be difficult for many people. VT had a population of 350,000... hence, the rational mind realizes the implicit use of oratory and dramatic language techniques to both drive a point, and allow the greatest possible access to that point.

Much as when once was said, 'never have so many owed so much to so few".

[yellowcanine]

4. But "never have so many owed so much to so few" was no exaggeration.

Churchill was talking about the RAF in the Battle of Britain.

[yellowcanine]

3. Vermont sent a total of 34,000 out of a pop of 350,000.

The state sent more than 34,000 to serve, out of a total population of about 350,000 citizens.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_in_the_American_Civil_War

It is still a lot, almost 10% of the population. But to say 1 million is ludicrous. The whole Union Army was 2.1 million out of a population of 22 million people, so even the percentage from Vermont is nearly the same.

By contrast, the South sent about 1 million troops out of a population of about 9 million. So they had a higher percentage but were still very outnumbered.

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/faq/