Posted on 12/06/2006 8:22:46 PM PST by BnBlFlag
Republicans back Forrest name By SCOTT BRODEN sbroden@dnj.com
The counter petition to retain the name of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest at the Army ROTC building at MTSU included the names of three local Republican leaders.
Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess, State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville and Rutherford County Republican Party Chairman Howard Wall confirmed Tuesday that they were among the 1,350 people to sign a petition organized by MTSU sophomore Matthew Hurtt.
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The counter petition was in response to an earlier petition from MTSU senior Amber Perkins, who presented a petition to the university's Student Government Association Senate requesting a name change for Forrest Hall.
"(Forrest) should be remembered," Burgess said. "I think history is important. I think we should not be afraid to discuss it. The Civil War is an important part of history."
Forrest has an important role with local history because he stormed the Rutherford County Courthouse to free Confederate supporters imprisoned by Union troops, added Burgess, whose office sits in the pre-Civil War era building. A plaque commemorates what Forrest did on an exterior wall of the courthouse near the mayor's office.
Whenever school children stop by, Burgess said he passes out courthouse pamphlets that include the history about Forrest.
"Forrest's men tore down the courthouse doors with axes and started fires in the hallways, causing the Union soldiers to leave their positions in the courthouse," the pamphlet states.
Forrest's tactics were studied by military leaders who used them in the 20th century, said Burgess, noting that the general should not be judged because he owned slaves.
"Let's talk about the good things about people and learn from our mistakes and build on that," Burgess said.
Tracy said he was attending an MTSU football game when he agreed to sign the petition to keep Forrest's name on the building.
"I just felt like that you cannot reverse history," said Tracy, whose district includes much of Rutherford County.
Tracy said he heard from many of his constituents telling him they wanted to keep the ROTC building name like it was.
Forrest is part of local history, said Wall, who's great-grandfather, Perry Adcock, served as a Confederate captain from DeKalb County in the Civil War.
"At this late date, why should anyone try to rewrite history," said Wall, who's planning to join the local chapter of Sons of the Confederate Veterans.
Wall said plenty of documentation exists to show that Forrest was not the racist he's made out to be.
"He was a huge supporter of the black race after the Civil War," said Wall, adding that Forrest was the first white person to speak before a black organization that was the forerunner to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Forrest promoted opportunities for black people to pursue many professional jobs in the Memphis area, he said.
When Forrest died, many attended his funeral, and "that included 3,000 black people," Wall said.
Hurtt, a white history major, said his petition had students, faculty members and community members requesting that the Forrest name be preserved on the ROTC building.
Perkins, a black sociology major and the leader of Students Against Forrest, said her petition, only included the names of students, and her group wanted to make sure there was enough signatures to require a Senate vote.
"His list has a lot of discrepancies," said Perkins. "Some people signed twice."
Perkins said it's not just a black issue.
"This is a very far-reaching representation of students who do not want the name (Forrest) up there," she said.
Perkins is among those who contend Forrest is a racist who owned slaves before the war, led an army that killed black troops who were trying to surrender in the "Fort Pillow Massacre" and then became the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Others defend his memory as a brilliant Confederate cavalry leader who shouldn't be judged because he called for the KKK to disband even though he never officially joined and pursued reconciliation with black people.
MTSU plans to hold three forums on the controversial historical figure beginning in late January or early February.
— Scott Broden, 278-5158
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wrote my best paper at CJ's listening to that hippie juke box, drinking beer and eating sandwiches. Campus Pub also. Busters and Pub nearly tied for best burger.
I really enjoyed that beer you bought me because I know you did everybody bought rounds.
No I didn't touch your rear cheek. Wouldn't with your hands. However I do have to listen to its speeches if I read this forum.
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:25 pm
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Jacket,
Did you just touch my rear cheek?
Anyways, today's Democraps DO bite the big one...except maybe Bart Gordon although he nibbled on it back in '94. Love that cheap hydro-'lectric, don't care what it costs in the Pipple's Republik of New Joisey.
While you were roaming around campus ignoring Forrest Hall did you ever cross Greenland Drive and drink $1.25 pitchers and play Space Invaders at CJ's? Now that was an education!
There's a time and place for everything and it's called College...at least as practiced in the early 1980s.
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:50 pm
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Infidel, your in Cheek (rear cheek) comments are appreciated.
Now, again you are wrong. Most of those "old time Democrats around here who think they are still voting for the 19th Century version because the 21st Century Left Wing Big Gummint version bites the big one, " aren't voting for the 19th Century guys but the FDR New Dealers, not whatever the party has morphed into. They vote for Social Security, wage and hour/labor protection, infrastructure, and TVA (hope you enjoy those rates as you use their electricity).
Again, buildings on the MTSU Campus are for the student usage, most were named a longe time ago. The name is not harming anyone, and for those that don't know the history of Forrest good, bad or otherwise really don't care. I was at MTSU for 4 years enrolled, Undergrad and grad. never inquired about the military hall's name, didn't care, just drove or walked by it as stated above. It was just another building. I did have to learn where Peck Hall/New Classroom Building and Kirksey Old Main were for Class and J/K Apartments were to go home (they should have been closed 20 years ago). Leave the old names alone and replace the military horseman/raider whether it was a Confederate or Union, just put it back.
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:12 pm
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Thank you, Jacket, for that edifying post. I think you need to spread the word to all the old time Democrats around here who think they are still voting for the 19th Century version because the 21st Century Left Wing Big Gummint version bites the big one.
I'm to' up too, cuz great grandpappy proudly shot a bunch of Johnny Rebs wif a Henry .44 and we've been card-carrying GOP men all along. Well, I'm really a Bull Moose man, myself.
I think, however, we can find plenty of common ground in the anger that removal of the bas-relief "medallion" and the effort to change the name of Forrest Hall has caused us both.
And thank you again, DJ Hurtt, for your efforts and the telling e-mail from the confused hater, the Rev. Dr. Mumbo Jumbo Artiste George Brooks.
I had no idea Israel was simply awash in black Jewish carpenters circa 1 B.C. Bet the ox and lamb did a doubletake when the Virgin Mary popped out a black baby; Joseph, too. That kind of drama would get them an invitation to appear on "Montel" these days.
And exactly what faith is Brooks, to espouse both Christianity and the Theory of Evolution? Is he saying Adam and Eve descended from the ape family circa 3,000,000 B.C. in what we silly moderns now call the continent of Africa?
Jumping Jehosephat! Somebody gonna wind up in H-E-Double-Toothpicks!
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:38 pm
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The Rev. Brooks has been quoted numerous times in the DNJ and is on the Opinions Page today. Here is another e-mail he sent to the supporters of Forrest Hall. In fact, this e-mail was sent to Mr. HK Edgerton. This still begs the question, "Who is the real racist here?"
"Brother Edgerton:
Please give me a call at (615) 494-9056, here in the Nashville-Murfreesboro area to discuss the Fort Pillow Massacre, when Nathan Bedford Forrest and his racist Confederate mob killed about 300 black soldiers, women and children. We will be holding two town hall forums in these two cities at churches.
Do you consider yourself a Christian? Are you aware that the first people of God's earth were black people, who were here over three millions years ago? Which is longer than the Adam and Eve of the Bible. And do you know that Jesus was black? Or do you only know history that you have been brainedwashed with by racist whites that are using you for their benefit. As well as to try and continue division between black people. Wake up man! And give me a call if those whites who are controlling you will allow you to give me a call.
Rev. George Brooks (615) 494-9056"
I would imagine you could call him to verify he sent this e-mail.
Preserving Our History, Matthew Hurtt
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:03 pm
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Originally published December 6, 2006
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MORE COVERAGE
12.5.06 Students retreat on Forrest vote 12.5.06 MTSU will hold forums to discuss the life of Forrest 12.4.06 MTSU plans public forums about Forrest name in January 12.4.06 MTSU SGA votes to rescind resolution on renaming Forrest Hall 12.3.06 Black leaders support name change
Students seek new name for MTSU's Forrest Hall
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Oops! Should be "Pubbies"!
May I recommend the "2nd South Carolina String Band"?
Baby steps toward endorsing the former Confederacy! =D
Yes. I'll check 'em out.
They never surrendered.
http://www.civilwarband.com/about.shtml
Maybe I am assumming here, but, BnBlFlag = "Bonnie blue flag" ?
"assumming" assuming also.
You got it! Stands for the Flag and the Song.
"Hurrah, for the Bonnie Blue Flag...."
John Wayne movie is where I heard it.
That would probably be "The Horse Soldiers." That's where I heard for the first time. It was a favorite of mine when I was growing up. I forced my poor dad to rent the tape over and over again. I have it on DVD now. :)
I'm still correcting people here in Memphis when they grumble about the "racist" who is honored with a park and a memorial here in the city.
It never ceases to amaze me the way that people will latch on to a single fact and make an unbending judgement requiring quite a bit of undoing.
"The Horse Soldiers."
That's the one. Thanks.
I guess I would say it somewhat differently. Maybe "It does no good to demonize everyone or discount everything they have accomplished because of their failings."
For instance, if a certain civil rights leader were an adulterer, should it invalidate any respect for the good work he has done?
"Perkins is among those who contend Forrest is a racist who owned slaves before the war, led an army that killed black troops who were trying to surrender in the "Fort Pillow Massacre" and then became the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Others defend his memory as a brilliant Confederate cavalry leader who shouldn't be judged because he called for the KKK to disband even though he never officially joined and pursued reconciliation with black people."
Perkins is obviously bent on pursuing false historical fact.
Based on Grierson's Raid.
Yeah well, Forrest was a Democrat. Enough said
Why...why...why...that's just shameful! He was a General and his mission should have been to plant flowers and water the rest of the garden. What was he thinking!
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