So, what, Bob was crossing his fingers when he swore allegiance to the United States? So it just didn't count? At any point in his military career, even in wartime, if his state government had whistled, he'd follow them, whatever the cost to the country he had taken an oath to protect and defend? I guess the country slept well at night knowing that its borders were protected or its military academy headed by someone who felt no lasting loyalty to his country.
Did the patriots of the Revolutionary era put their states above the country? Consider Washington's Farewell Address:
For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.
Lee's own father, a Revolutionary War hero, most assuredly didn't put state above country. As a reviewer of a biography of "Lighthorse Harry" Lee wrote, there was "no more ardent nationalist than Henry Lee, whose opinions on government and union grew out of his experiences as a soldier."
Those born on Southern soil who fought for the murdering, raping,looting and burning savages who laid waste the land that enabled their very existence were the bastard fathers of the bastard scalawags who were the treacherous running dogs of the avarice infested and hate infected Satan spawned carpetbaggers. I piss on their legacy and consider their progeny cursed--but in a nice way:).
So that's what your alias refers to. Happy Rain indeed.
If you really feel that way, you are beneath contempt.
My guess is 'ole happy rain isn't to offended with little barb of yours coming from one of the chief Free Republic Federal boot lickers.