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I would like the record to show that in my mocking of DiLorenzo's attempts at rewriting American history, I have not portrayed the South, or in particular, the Southern soldier in a bad light. In fact I have not mentioned them at all.

But, so you will not have any misconceptions about what I think about the Confederacy, and those who fought for their cause, I will tell you that I hold the soldiers on both sides in the highest esteem. On both sides there were acts of great courage, loyalty, and self-sacrifice. I have read accounts of Civil War battles which have left me in awe of the common soldier of the South.

One can debate the cause of the South, and the North, without attacking those who fought well for their cause. This includes politicians as well as military leaders. If there are those who while attacking the arguments of DiLorenzo, resort to attacking the common soldier, or the South in general, that is unfortunate. I have not engaged in enough of these "discussions" on FR to say whether this is the usual, so I will take your word for it.

I too am a lover of history, but I am cautious about whose versions of history I will read. There are some out there who have a particular axe to grind and distort the history to suit their point of view. It is a waste of time to read "history" of that nature. Trying to filter out the point of view of the author from the historical fact becomes very difficult, and often the reader finds themselves infected with false history, and false views.

I would add, if it is not already apparent, that I do not think one has to defend the cause of the South, to uphold the honor, and good name, of those who fought for that cause. I do not doubt they believed in their cause every bit as much as the North did in theirs.

As there were many men who were willing, and in fact, did die for the Confederacy, it should not be surprising that there are many today who feel they were in the right. Your observation that many on these threads are engaged not in debate, but an "electronic shouting match", is probably correct. In that case, what is the point in posting this material? In particular, in the News forum?

Just as you do not like the South being bad mouthed, nor do I for that matter, neither do those of us who feel the North was in the right, like to see Lincoln being bad mouthed.