About Jim Webb and that alleged "Confederate Affinity" [View All]

[leftofcool]

I don't think it exists. For Senator Webb and people like him, it is more about understanding the deep seated issues on both sides of that war. It is knowing that while Abe Lincoln was a great president in many ways, he had two faces, the good guy face and the asshole face. It is understanding that right or wrong, Lee was one of the greatest generals in American history and Grant had alcohol issues. It is understanding that atrocities were committed on both sides. It is the in depth research of battle tactics and military maneuvers on both sides. It is being pleasantly surprised at the number of women, both North and South, who disguised themselves as men and joined the fighting. It is understanding that good men who never owned slaves or saw slaves died uner the Confederate flag but that same flag has become something sinister and symbolic of an evil thas should never have been, and should be banned from all state and federal properties. It is knowing that the main goal of re-enactors is to keep that part of American history alive and in our minds so we will never have another Civil War in this country.

What Jim Webb thinks or thought at one time about women in the military really stems from that old Southern thinking, that women are simply Southern Belles and need to be protected. I doubt he feels that way today and if he does, he wouldn't admit it. The only problem I see is that he is another Junior Senator who won Virginia by a very slim margin. Other than that, I think he would make a fine VP for Obama.

Left of Cool