CNN and Roland Martin asks: Were Confederate soldiers terrorists?

CNN ^ | 4/11/2010 | Roland Martin

[Altura Ct.]

Based on the hundreds of e-mails, Facebook comments and Tweets I've read in response to my denunciation of Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's decision to honor Confederates for their involvement in the Civil War -- which was based on the desire to continue slavery -- the one consistent thing that supporters of the proclamation offer up as a defense is that these individuals were fighting for what they believed in and defending their homeland.

In criticizing me for saying that celebrating the Confederates was akin to honoring Nazi soldiers for killing of Jews during the Holocaust, Rob Wagner said, "I am simply defending the honor and dignity of men who were given no choice other than to fight, some as young as thirteen."

Sherry Callahan said that supporting the Confederacy is "our history. Not hate; it's about heritage and history."

Javier Ramirez called slavery evil, but prefaced his remarks by saying that "Confederate soldiers were never seen as terrorists by [President Abraham] Lincoln or U.S. generals on the battlefield. They were accorded POW status, they were never tried for war crimes. Not once did Confederate soldiers do any damage to civilians or their property in their invasion of the north. The same is not true of Union soldiers."

Realskirkland sent me a Tweet saying, "Slavery is appalling, but was not the only reason for the CW [Civil War]. Those men, while misguided on some fronts stood up for what they felt was right. They embodied that American ideal that the states have a right to govern themselves. THAT is what a confederate soldier stood for."

[graywaiter]

Agree with the folks who say the ‘rats are trying to divide us again. Don’t let them! No matter which side you & yours were on, WE MUST STAND TOGETHER to assure their loss of political power for another generation. Keep your eyes on the prize people!

This is a distraction similar to the abortion issue..they whip it out & up when they need to get conservatives to fight amongst ourselves. NOT THIS TIME and NOT THIS ISSUE! Filter out the BS!!! Don’t BITE THE BAIT!

If you feel you MUST comment or take a different stand from a fellow conservative, please remember this one thing...there is absolutely nothing YOU can say or do to change one blasted thing that happened 1860-1865. NOTHING! YOU CAN’T CHANGE A THING! It all happened, and it’s done, END OF STORY! Let’s all move on and CHANGE the FUTURE for OUR kids.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Sad!!! Barack Hussein Obama knows nothing at all about American history, and neither does Roland Martin. The “Martin” remarks are not worth commenting on save this. Were the twenty million dead Russian soldiers and civilians killed by Hitler’s German Nazi troops in WWII fighting to protect Joe Stalin, the Communist Party and Communists in general, or were they fighting for their Homeland, families and loved ones?

[Oldpuppymax]

Soooooo...confederates were TERRORISTS, but Muslims blowing themselves up and murdering hundreds or MORE are NOT!!! Kinda tough to keep up with the “thought” process of the left, ain’t it??!!

[patriot preacher]

I do not believe that there was a general declaration of support for slavery in the South. There was, however a declaration that the Southern States would rule themselves...
___________________

That is what I meant — forgive me if I mistated this. No, the Confederacy as a whole never made that generalized “declaration.” They simply allowed what Washington had grown increasingly to forbid — Self Government of the States.

[BuffaloJack]

Roland Martin?
Isn’t he dead?

[SandRat]

With the exception of Merrill's Marauders the Confederacy followed what are now accepted rules of Land Warfare. They were uniformed, had distinguishing rank markings, a clear command structure, abided by what would become under the GHC of 1947 protected structures (churches, hospitals, etc.) and did not go after noncombatants the wounded, or those that had surrendered.

So.. CNN you show your abject ignorance by even asking the question.

[SandRat]

..celebrating the Confederates was akin to honoring Nazi soldiers for killing of Jews during the Holocaust,...

CNN you need to learn history. "Nazi" soldiers i.e. the Wehrmacht did not commit the Holocaust atrocities. Those crimes were done by the SS and Waffen SS. Do your homework and learn before opening your pie-hole.

[NoLibZone]

Freedom fighters that wore uniforms.

Bill Ayers doesn’t not wear a uniform.

Neither does Pelosi or Odinga.

[carton253]

One day, Roland Martin may actually take the time to research why Confederate troops fought the war.

[NTHockey]

I can not agree with you more on this issue. The LIBs are trying to split America into tiny camps, the easier to control us. Here they are using moral equivalence to denigrate the Confederate soldiers.

Let us agree on what UNITES us, namely, limited government, low taxation, strong defense and against abortion. Rewrite President Reagan’s 11th Commandment:”Speak no evil against any CONSERVATIVE.”

This is not 1861, for now ALL of America is threatened. The fight for freedom never ends.

Deo vindice

[drierice]

Yep, I stand by all I said. I said “MOST” Confederates didn’t own slaves (which you strangely agreed with while trying to debate it), most were peace loving (didn’t want their homes and families attacked), and the federal government divided people as they are doing today.