[Rocket1968]

I don't want to broaden this to a discussion of the Civil War, but will say this, the main issue was states rights vs the power of the federal government. Slavery was the route cause, but the southern states resented the expanding role of Washington in their affairs.

I do not condone slavery. I agree that this issue was so important that it was probably inevitable that conflict would occur. In that context alone, the U.S. Navy was the "enemy" to the seceeding states, thus my description.

My point was to focus on the historical event as a precedent. We should give these events the emphasis they deserve, whether we agree with the event or not.

As an aside, there is a growing concern in this country about the expanding reach of the federal government. We are assaulted almost daily with restrictions of our freedom. We are becoming a very polarized country. Look at the red states vs the blue states and ask yourself if another Civil War is possible?

That is why, I think it is important to remember those individuals who took a stand. Whether it was right or wrong can be interpreted in many ways. What we shouldn't do is to dismiss their heroism because we do agree with the stance they took.

[Grand Old Partisan]

Thanks for your thoughtful message. I appreciate the tone, as some FReepers can get unreasonable on this topic.

Withou rehashing so many previous threads, it bears noting that the Confederate government was far more centralized and powerful relative to the states than was the federal government until the 1930s. Also, civil liberties were much more infringed upon in the Confederacy than they were in the North at the time.

I am more for state and local autonomy than even most FReepers, but use of the term "states rights" (coined by John Calhoun as a euphemism for the right to oppress black people) and of Confederate ideology are certain losers, as experience has shown.