Monuments And Those Who Are Triggered
This may surprise some of the people who know me. With respect to monuments, I don’t have a dog in the fight.
So here is my take on the confederate monument controversy. The existence and maintenance of monuments requires that enough people are willing to devote adequate resources. Those resources are, as they have always been, Time, and Labor. Those familiar with economics will recall that Time + Labor = Capital (Money). Everything flows from this. We can argue over the details, but you can’t change the laws of economics.
The Statue of Christopher Columbus remains for now, the focal point of Columbus Circle in Manhattan.
If you want to build or keep a monument, then as with everything, enough people have to care.
The monument debate has become a question of our own values as well as the values to who such monuments are dedicated. What’s the criteria? Is there some formula, some Calculus function where were we can determine f(x) = worthy of a monument whereas f(y) = not worthy of a monument? Of course not, but will that matter to the Left and their constantly revolving standards? You know the answer to that one, too.
Should We Remove Monuments To Robert E. Lee?
Robert E. Lee invokes impassioned yet reasonable debate from both sides. He also invokes vitriol and derangement, usually from masked wearing dupes projecting their racism on the rest of us. Should statues to other confederate leaders be taken down?
I find myself indifferent as to whether or not statues of him should exist in the public square. I do however have an opinion on the man himself. Lee took up arms against the United States. This as defined by the U.S. Constitution was an act of treason.
One can’t simply drop the microphone, though. As a tactician, Lee earned the respect of the generals against whom he fought. He was a complicated figure, a paradox. He wrote of his misgivings with slavery yet did not give up his own slaves until forced to do so.
Concerning statues of Lee and other confederate monuments, my proposal is simple and consistent with the traditions of Liberal Democracy. Let those who are paying for their maintenance vote on their remaining or their removal. In other words, let the local taxpayers decide. I know, democracy – such a shocking solution.
Who Else Gets Removed?
Some of the most notable figures in history committed their share of atrocities.
Michelangelo’s David. King David, who God called “A Man After My Own Heart,” was a murderer and conspirator. He remains venerated within both Judaism and Christianity.
King David, who God called “A Man After My Own Heart,” was a murderer and conspirator. Yet his Michelangelo’s original creation resides in the Accademia Gallery, Florence, while it’s replica stands in the Piazza della Signoria in since 1910.
Alexander The Great, Julius Caesar, and Genghis Khan are responsible for de-populating entire districts. Yet monuments to them abound the world over. What’s the saying? Kill one person, and you’re a murderer. Kill millions, and you’re a legend. Something like that.
My issue with the perpetually offended is the same as always. The Left loves to pretend that they are offended. But faking offense has proved to be an effective weapon for a very long time and old habits are difficult to break. Expect more of this.
There’s no endgame, of course. The Left never arrives at its destination. Once every offending edifice is removed, the Social Justice Warriors and their masked wearing useful idiots will move onto something else. The enemies of the West will always find something over which to wring their hands.
The best line is in the Facebook teaser, Phil! I enjoy a writer who can use a delightful oxymoron so well. To be “passionately indifferent” is a well-turned phrase. As far as the South and her heroes, well, that discussion must wait. I am, after all, a true-blue Southern Belle, and as the most famous of all the Southern Belles once said, “I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.”
Thank you, Debbie. I too, would rather not think about this now. 🙂
Personally, I think people are becoming way too sensitive. If a statue of Hitler, Stalin, Ossama Bin Laden were erected- then to me that definitely crosses a line of humanitarian decency. Perhaps to some, confederate statues invoke that same feeling. To others it doesn’t. I think we have more to worry about in this country than statues.
I want to personally thank you for your service to our country and standing up to help right the wrong in this world.
I enjoyed reading a post that was not “OMG keep the monuments”, or “They Must Come Down”. It was well thought out and very logical. I agree 100% re. even if they are all gone the left will find something else to be offended about.
My concern for removal is that it is a slippery slope. If they go what next?! Where do we draw the line?
I wonder what your thoughts are on referendums. I think it would be interesting to let the people decide in their cities/states what to do with these at a local level. THAT is democracy in my mind! 🙂
We are standing with you!
I always enjoy what you have to say. Your points are insightful, relevant and educational for me. I may not comment often but I do enjoy your blog and your Facebook posts. Thank you for saying what some if us are thinking and are unable to express.
Brilliantly written! This is my first time visiting your blog and I must say you’ve struck a chord in me. Looking forward to real down time to peruse more of your articles. I don’t know if I can express how frustrating it’s been to read and watch some of the info being spewed out there today, so much so that I’ve actually had to shut it down for a time, not having the energy or mindset to engage in it or be polluted by it. I don’t know… maybe it’s because I’m grieving the loss of my Papa and now caring for my Mom on hospice in my home, or maybe it’s just pure disgust for the deception & hateful & criminal behavior overtaking our country by a group of people who can’t reconcile the loss of an election. Or both maybe?! I don’t know…. what I do know is as a nation we’ve lost our way & when real life tragedy hits you square in the face, or just when things don’t go the way you think they should, nothing else should matter or occupy the place in your heart where we should be putting our differences aside, think rationally with clarity & conviction without pushing an agenda to just help each other, respect each other…. ok, I’m ranting. Hey, thanks again & keep fighting the good fight. We need more people like you out there on the front line. Thank you for your service!
General Lee took up arms for the protection of his beloved Virginia. He viewed Lincoln as an usurper whose interest was not just the humanitarian aspect only as history revisionists insist. The North had the industrial power, the South had the raw materials. Both France and England had begun to show interest in dealing directly with the South bypassing the middle man (North). Cotton, tobacco, and sugar were perfect for export.
My great-great grandfather was a Captain under Col. Navarro’s TX Volunteers. Today’s real patriots exist in the South. Our personal history is entwined with our forefathers and the statues represent a spiritual contact with who we are and how we made it here.
Read Ltc Sir Arthur Freemantle’s account in his diary “Three Months in the Southern States.” Sir Arthur was a member of His Majesty’s Cold Stream Guards “visiting” the South.
So I posit a question… Had Hillary won and taken our beloved country farther left, would you not have taken arms against her??? I am also retired US Army (O-6). Would that be called treason???? I refuse to accept that.
COL Martinez, you have given us all something to ponder. Thank you for checking in.