Lincoln holiday on its way out (West Virginia)

West Virginia Gazette Mail ^ | 9-8-2005 | Phil Kabler

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Lincoln holiday on its way out

By Phil Kabler Staff writer

A bill to combine state holidays for Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays into a single Presidents’ Day holiday cleared its first legislative committee Wednesday, over objections from Senate Republicans who said it besmirches Abraham Lincoln’s role in helping establish West Virginia as a state.

Senate Government Organization Committee members rejected several attempts to retain Lincoln’s birthday as a state holiday.

State Sen. Russ Weeks, R-Raleigh, introduced an amendment to instead eliminate Columbus Day as a paid state holiday. “Columbus didn’t have anything to do with making West Virginia a state,” he said. “If we have to cut one, let’s cut Christopher Columbus.”

Jim Pitrolo, legislative director for Gov. Joe Manchin, said the proposed merger of the two holidays would bring West Virginia in line with federal holidays, and would effectively save $4.6 million a year — the cost of one day’s pay to state workers.

Government Organization Chairman Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, said the overall savings would be even greater, since by law, county and municipal governments must give their employees the same paid holidays as state government.

“To the taxpayers, the savings will be even larger,” he said.

The bill technically trades the February holiday for a new holiday on the Friday after Thanksgiving. For years, though, governors have given state employees that day off with pay by proclamation.

Sen. Sarah Minear, R-Tucker, who also objected to eliminating Lincoln’s birthday as a holiday, argued that it was misleading to suggest that eliminating the holiday will save the state money.

“It’s not going to save the state a dime,” said Minear, who said she isn’t giving up on retaining the Lincoln holiday.

Committee members also rejected an amendment by Sen. Steve Harrison, R-Kanawha, to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as “Lincoln Day.”

“I do believe President Lincoln has a special place in the history of West Virginia,” he said.

Sen. Randy White, D-Webster, said he believed that would create confusion.

“It’s confusing to me,” he said.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, suggested that the state could recognize Lincoln’s proclamation creating West Virginia as part of the June 20 state holiday observance for the state’s birthday.

Proponents of the measure to eliminate a state holiday contend that the numerous paid holidays - as many as 14 in election years — contribute to inefficiencies in state government.

To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.

[cowboyway]

Are you guys interested in advance tickets for Cowboy's next "expert" speaking tour dealing with "Everything New Yorkers Need to Know About Themselves But Forgot to Ask Someone Afflicted With Urbanphobia"? :)

Don't bother. I wouldn't want to tear you guys away from your Hillary tour.

[M. Espinola]

"The point is that yankees are as racist, or more so, than the entire rest of the nation..."

The Civil Rights Act of 1871, now codified and known as 42 U.S.C. § 1983, is one of the most important federal statutes in force in the United States. It was originally enacted a few years after the American Civil War, and consisted of the 1870 Force Act and 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act. One of the main reasons behind its passage was to protect southern blacks from that organization by providing a civil remedy for abuses then being committed in the South.

A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy.

Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871

SEC. 2. That if two or more persons within any State or Territory of the United States shall conspire together to overthrow, or to put down, or to destroy by force the government of the United States, or to levy war against the United States, or to oppose by force the authority of the government of the United States, or by force, intimidation, or threat to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, or by force, intimidation, or threat to prevent any person from accepting or holding any office or trust or place of confidence under the United States, or from discharging the duties thereof, or by force, intimidation, or threat to induce any officer of the United States to leave any State, district, or place where his duties as such office might lawfully be performed...

``````````````````````````````

The Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan: Formed in 1985 by Virgil Griffin and based in Mount Holly, North Carolina. The Christian Knights are active in North and South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. A suspect in two June 1995 arsons of predominately Black South Carolina churches-part of an apparent epidemic of church arsons occurring throughout the country since January 1995-carried a card identifying him as a member of the Christian Knights.

[M. Espinola]

"Don't bother. I wouldn't want to tear you guys away from your Hillary tour."

The Battle Ax is expecting you, after all both of you will be sharing the same stage of radical extremism. She's not from NY either.

[M. Espinola]

"Are you implying that you own a Rolls Phantom?"

Yea, I have 10 of them in every colour! LOL

Brooklyn, out on the Island, then up in the Bronx, while concluding your tour right on Liberty Island.

"A tour of Hell......."

Why do you state such a thing?

[cowboyway]

You sure do know a lot about the Klan.

Jeez, Espy, I don't see any Stars and Bars being flown.

[cowboyway]

Why do you state such a thing?

It would be hell for me. Probably the same kinda hell that you would be going through if you had to spend time down here in Dog Patch.

[mac_truck]

That photo is from the early 1900s. The CBF wasn't used for political purposes (by the dixiecrats) until 1946. The klan started using it then, and are still using it today with nary a peep from the southern hertitage folks.

Didn't they teach you that in that fine southern screwl you attended?

[cowboyway]

Many different flags have been used for many different purposes throughout history. The point of the photo is to show that the Stars and Bars ain't the only flag that has been used for racial purposes, assuming that the Klansmen in the photo were racist.

[mac_truck]

...assuming that the Klansmen in the photo were racist.

I think that comment sums up what you're all about.

We're done here boy, unless Peckerwood SC has an extradition treaty with Riveria Beach Florida...

[cowboyway]

I think that comment sums up what you're all about.

An assumption is all that it can be based on a photograph. I wasn't there and didn't know any of those people. My language is technically correct.

We're done here boy,

I hope we are done here. Boy.

unless Peckerwood SC has an extradition treaty with Riveria Beach Florida...

You, my friend, are stuck on stupid.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

it has generally been the North that has been closer to the ideals of the Founders.

The Founders idealized socialism/communism? Have I been reading the wrong history books again?

You're exhibiting the common Dixie mistake of forgetting the situation of the black man in the South after the Civil War. If you were white and was a planter, then you did enjoy a very limited Republic. If you were black, then you likely lived a life of serfdom that had much more in common with Russians on one of Stalin's collective farms than anything we understand as the American ideal.

Ahh....you finally got to the point of my post and the Draft Riots. The point is that yankees are as racist, or more so, than the entire rest of the nation, but yankees will never admit it, so they point their finger southward and shout "RACIST" at every chance.

Yankees were/are no more racist than Southerners. There are good and bad everywhere. The postwar difference was that in general, Northern governments fostered improvement toward American ideals, while Southern governments were based on ignorance and keeping the bulk of whites and blacks in opposition. There was hope for progress in the South with the first movements of true white/black popular concert in the Reconstruction Republican governments, but sadly the North lost its will and the Democratic masters of ignorance resumed control over much of the South.

[cowboyway]

while Southern governments were based on ignorance and keeping the bulk of whites and blacks in opposition.

The post war South was a Reconstruction government filled with carpetbaggers and scalawags; read, yankees and their minions, so, you are absolutely right about being based on ignorance.

"Congress in 1865 fell under the control of hate crazed zealots; men who wanted to punish the Southern States for daring to leave--and for political advantage. And in the next few years, the gathering storm of hatred that had led to disunion and war was exceeded by the vengeful hatred of those who had anointed themselves to put the Union back together. Yet hate begets hate, as ill will, malice. And the harvest of Reconstructive vengeance was three generations of sectional bitterness and hostility."

Civil War, Reconstruction & Creating Hate In America Today

Of course, there is plenty more if you want to look for it.

[M. Espinola]

"It would be hell for me. Probably the same kinda hell that you would be going through if you had to spend time down here in Dog Patch."

It would not, nor has been hell since I am fully the majority of people either born or living in Southern States live for the here and now, in no way is today's South represented by the backward, insanely processed minority of neo-confederate cultists still fighting the "lost Cause" or longing for the days of segregation, under the buzz term of "state rights".

Have you even even been to New York or New England and if not, why would it be living hell? Have you ever lived anywhere in the Northeast? I will at least admit at times rush hour can be like being in traffic hell, but one understands there is always the MTA (hop on the subway).

Don't you think it's rather silly never living anywhere in the entire Northeast to think it's hell? The area is a grouping of diversified states just as any other regional section of the nation. The pulse of our country's economic system is in Manhattan NY & NE have some of the best cuisine and notable colonial architecture. The arts/theater/museums can not be compared to. Nothing bets Fall foliage in Vermont. From anywhere in NY/NE the lively old city of Montréal is within driving distance. State of the art medical facilities draws in patients from all over the world knowing specialized treatment is available in Boston and New York hospitals. The nations first centers of higher education are located in Boston dating back to 1630. The Northeast led the country in new inventions during the 'age of invention' from the 1870's onward.

Hell is North Korea and Iran (Except for commie Dem's)

[M. Espinola]

I forgot to add we are also the leader in high fashion. Most likely not germane in Dog Patch :)

[jaguaretype]

"My language is technically correct." via cowboyway

Let me take a swipe on translation fwiw.

"oops....did I really say that?!!!!?

But alas, words do mean what they say assuming "is" is defined as "is". LOL!

[cowboyway]

why would it be living hell?

I don't like cities, crowds and rude behavior in people. I prefer my backyard that has a vista of thousands of acres of undeveloped land.

Have you ever lived anywhere in the Northeast?

No. But I was married to a woman from New Jersey for many years. I kinda got a clue about the subject.

Don't you think it's rather silly never living anywhere in the entire Northeast to think it's hell?

It's full of yankees ain't it? Enough said.

You paint a scene of a picturesque and bustling paradise of your beloved northeast (you need to quit smoking that shit), but what say I spring for a weeks stay in a motel of my choice in beautiful downtown Patterson, New Jersey.

Let us know if you live through it.

[cowboyway]

I forgot to add we are also the leader in high fashion.

Yeah, I've seen that 'high fashion'. And you're proud of that?

Most likely not germane in Dog Patch :)

I can only speak for myself, homey. My daily wear at home is jeans, boots, shirt and hat. At the office its, well, office attire.

High Fashion

[cowboyway]

"oops....did I really say that?!!!!?

I didn't say that. My language was technically correct. You can read anything that you want into it.

Now since you don't agree with my statement, you must know for a fact, that all the people in the photo were racist.

Typical yankee; knows everything, has two of everything that you've got and it's twice as big. LMAO

[mac_truck]

"My language is technically correct."

What do you expect from someone who has no trouble 'assuming' he'd get shot at while driving around Riviera Beach, yet can only 'assume' that men dressed in the uniform of an avowedly racist organization are indeed racist.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

So you don't like cities, maybe you shouldn't like the South either because it contains places like Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville. Have you ever spent time in the rural North? I've spent a little time in Upstate New York and contrary to the cultural propaganda I grew up with about "Yankees", I found these New Yorkers to be remarkably similar to the Southerners I grew up with except for their funny accents. :)