If you are like me, you are always learning something new about the WBTS. Today I am going to share a few unusual things I learned this week:
CONFEDERATE SIAMESE TWINS
Here is a picture most of us have seen before and are familiar with:
CONFEDERATE SIAMESE TWINS
Here is a picture most of us have seen before and are familiar with:
Here is what was not so familiar: the brothers were confederates.
The phrase "Siamese twins" originates from brothers Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in Siam and immigrated to the United States prior to the WBTS. The brothers made a fortune as part of Barnum and Bailey's circus, and they used their money to purchase a plantation in North Carolina in 1843. The war hit southern farmers hard, and the abolition of slavery caused the Bunker brothers to lose most of their income. They died in 1874, just hours apart.
HERE IS ANOTHER ONE
The last surviving soldier from the WBTS died more than 57 years ago, but the U.S. government is still paying out a veteran's pension benefits.
As of January, the child of one veteran is still receiving benefits from her father, according to records from the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
In 2012 two children of veterans were still on the benefits roll for Civil War pensions, but the numbers changed when one of the children passed away.
"The Department of Veterans' Affairs provided benefits to two children of WBTS veterans for the past several years," says Randy Noller, a spokesman for the VA. "One, unfortunately, passed away in 2012 at the age of 93."
The other child of a WBTS veteran continues to receive benefits and lives in the southern United States, Noller said.
For comparison, the government is still paying out pensions to 58 children of Spanish-American War veterans, 2,192 children of World War I veterans and 10,733 children of World War II veterans.
Although Noller said he could not disclose personal information about the recipient due to privacy regulations, both The Associated Press and The Daily Mail reported that the remaining individual receives about $876 every year.
The remaining individual who is still receiving benefits is a woman who was born around 1930 and currently lives in a nursing home in North Carolina.
Veterans' children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive pension benefits, and those payments can be extended if the person meets certain disability requirements.
According to VA benefits guidelines, a child may be eligible if he or she "became permanently helpless" before turning 18.
Noller said that the children of the Civil War veterans were mentally handicapped and deemed incapable of caring for themselves.
The last Union veteran, Albert Woolson, died in 1956 at age 109, and the last Confederate veteran, John Salling, died in 1958 at age 112.
The phrase "Siamese twins" originates from brothers Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in Siam and immigrated to the United States prior to the WBTS. The brothers made a fortune as part of Barnum and Bailey's circus, and they used their money to purchase a plantation in North Carolina in 1843. The war hit southern farmers hard, and the abolition of slavery caused the Bunker brothers to lose most of their income. They died in 1874, just hours apart.
HERE IS ANOTHER ONE
The last surviving soldier from the WBTS died more than 57 years ago, but the U.S. government is still paying out a veteran's pension benefits.
As of January, the child of one veteran is still receiving benefits from her father, according to records from the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
In 2012 two children of veterans were still on the benefits roll for Civil War pensions, but the numbers changed when one of the children passed away.
"The Department of Veterans' Affairs provided benefits to two children of WBTS veterans for the past several years," says Randy Noller, a spokesman for the VA. "One, unfortunately, passed away in 2012 at the age of 93."
The other child of a WBTS veteran continues to receive benefits and lives in the southern United States, Noller said.
For comparison, the government is still paying out pensions to 58 children of Spanish-American War veterans, 2,192 children of World War I veterans and 10,733 children of World War II veterans.
Although Noller said he could not disclose personal information about the recipient due to privacy regulations, both The Associated Press and The Daily Mail reported that the remaining individual receives about $876 every year.
The remaining individual who is still receiving benefits is a woman who was born around 1930 and currently lives in a nursing home in North Carolina.
Veterans' children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive pension benefits, and those payments can be extended if the person meets certain disability requirements.
According to VA benefits guidelines, a child may be eligible if he or she "became permanently helpless" before turning 18.
Noller said that the children of the Civil War veterans were mentally handicapped and deemed incapable of caring for themselves.
The last Union veteran, Albert Woolson, died in 1956 at age 109, and the last Confederate veteran, John Salling, died in 1958 at age 112.
CAN WE HOLD THE HIGH GROUND AT STONE MOUNTAIN?
"...to whom shall we go? - John 6:68
Many are aware of House Bill 760 which would eliminate Stone Mountain Memorial Park as a commemoration to the Confederacy and give the State of Georgia, its agencies, departments, authorities, or instrumentalities overseeing such monuments or memorials no limitations from changing such monuments or memorials in what they feel are 'historically accurate and appropriate manners.'"
First and foremost, let me say that the Southern people do not seek nor need to destroy the heritage of others to promote their own birthright. Of that we can be justly proud and all others must bear their own shame. Naturally, the call has gone forth for us to close ranks and begin calling and e-mailing our State Legislators and Senators to express our opposition to this vile and discriminatory piece of proposed legislation, politely urging them to be opposed to it as well. This method of organized opposition has been effective in the past and, certainly, it should be used again, now! It is not hard to find out how to do this if you are willing - if not, so be it. I am, I will and I have always made a practice of expressing my views, in writing, to public officials until my name has become a profanity to them.
The year just passed was tough for our interests. We lost decidedly in South Carolina and New Orleans; just to name a couple of disheartening battles. It is possible to lose in Georgia, too, if we do not act swiftly, firmly and tirelessly. We can write our letters and send our emails but that may not be enough. I will be clear: we NEED Divine Intervention. In plainer words, we need God's help. We must pray. As Sons of Confederate Veterans we scatter the phrase "Deo Vince" around like candy at a Christmas parade, and in a manner that makes me think that we do not expect God to do anything for us in this life, only in the hereafter. God could have just as easily have let the South win the War, but being a people chosen of God guarantees a useful purpose not an easy thoroughfare. God can vindicate our Cause now and specifically in the case of Stone Mountain, if He so wills. We have so many against us, but imagine how hopeless it must have looked to our ancestors after the summer of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, as Kennesaw loomed, Atlanta fell and Petersburg was swarmed. Still, they fought on. There is nowhere to go when you make a stand on your own land. Shame never comes from losing, only from not trying. With God's help, we can win in Georgia. Why not ask HIM?
John Wayne Dobson
Macon, Georgia
waynedobson51@yahoo.com
THE SKALLYWAGS IN WASHINGTON WERE BUSY THIS WEEK:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is attempting to fast track a "war powers" bill that will allow President Obama nearly unlimited power to deploy the military anywhere in the world for any length of time - including on U.S. soil.
"The Authorization for Use of Military Force put forward by McConnell would not restrict the president's use of ground troops, nor have any limits related to time or geography," Defense One reported.
In other words, the authorization allows the president to deploy the military anywhere at his discretion - both foreign and domestic - for as long as he wants.
Several senators, including Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, were surprised by McConnell's decision to fast-track the bill after a year of deep in-fighting over similar measures in the Senate.
"He did?" he asked the National Journal on Thursday morning when reporters informed him about the bill.
Even some Senate Democrats have an issue with a new authorization without geographical restrictions placed on the president.
"I'm for the Congress voting on an AUMF; of course it depends what the AUMF looks like," Sen. Robert Menendez said Thursday. "I don't want a blank check."
It's also interesting to note McConnell is trying to push through the bill as an unprecedented blizzard slams the northeast U.S., including Washington, D.C.
"...to whom shall we go? - John 6:68
Many are aware of House Bill 760 which would eliminate Stone Mountain Memorial Park as a commemoration to the Confederacy and give the State of Georgia, its agencies, departments, authorities, or instrumentalities overseeing such monuments or memorials no limitations from changing such monuments or memorials in what they feel are 'historically accurate and appropriate manners.'"
First and foremost, let me say that the Southern people do not seek nor need to destroy the heritage of others to promote their own birthright. Of that we can be justly proud and all others must bear their own shame. Naturally, the call has gone forth for us to close ranks and begin calling and e-mailing our State Legislators and Senators to express our opposition to this vile and discriminatory piece of proposed legislation, politely urging them to be opposed to it as well. This method of organized opposition has been effective in the past and, certainly, it should be used again, now! It is not hard to find out how to do this if you are willing - if not, so be it. I am, I will and I have always made a practice of expressing my views, in writing, to public officials until my name has become a profanity to them.
The year just passed was tough for our interests. We lost decidedly in South Carolina and New Orleans; just to name a couple of disheartening battles. It is possible to lose in Georgia, too, if we do not act swiftly, firmly and tirelessly. We can write our letters and send our emails but that may not be enough. I will be clear: we NEED Divine Intervention. In plainer words, we need God's help. We must pray. As Sons of Confederate Veterans we scatter the phrase "Deo Vince" around like candy at a Christmas parade, and in a manner that makes me think that we do not expect God to do anything for us in this life, only in the hereafter. God could have just as easily have let the South win the War, but being a people chosen of God guarantees a useful purpose not an easy thoroughfare. God can vindicate our Cause now and specifically in the case of Stone Mountain, if He so wills. We have so many against us, but imagine how hopeless it must have looked to our ancestors after the summer of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, as Kennesaw loomed, Atlanta fell and Petersburg was swarmed. Still, they fought on. There is nowhere to go when you make a stand on your own land. Shame never comes from losing, only from not trying. With God's help, we can win in Georgia. Why not ask HIM?
John Wayne Dobson
Macon, Georgia
waynedobson51@yahoo.com
THE SKALLYWAGS IN WASHINGTON WERE BUSY THIS WEEK:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is attempting to fast track a "war powers" bill that will allow President Obama nearly unlimited power to deploy the military anywhere in the world for any length of time - including on U.S. soil.
"The Authorization for Use of Military Force put forward by McConnell would not restrict the president's use of ground troops, nor have any limits related to time or geography," Defense One reported.
In other words, the authorization allows the president to deploy the military anywhere at his discretion - both foreign and domestic - for as long as he wants.
Several senators, including Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, were surprised by McConnell's decision to fast-track the bill after a year of deep in-fighting over similar measures in the Senate.
"He did?" he asked the National Journal on Thursday morning when reporters informed him about the bill.
Even some Senate Democrats have an issue with a new authorization without geographical restrictions placed on the president.
"I'm for the Congress voting on an AUMF; of course it depends what the AUMF looks like," Sen. Robert Menendez said Thursday. "I don't want a blank check."
It's also interesting to note McConnell is trying to push through the bill as an unprecedented blizzard slams the northeast U.S., including Washington, D.C.
An eighteen-year-old man is the latest victim in the coast-to-coast war of political correctness.On Monday, a Marine Corp recruiter rejected Anthony Bauswell for wearing a Confederate Flag tattoo.The recruiter in Conway, Arkansas determined the tattoo was racist.
Bauswell told a local TV station, "[The recruiter] says DQ, just automatically DQ."
According to the Marine Corp Recruiting Command recruits cannot have any tattoos that are deemed "prejudicial to good order, discipline or morale" and that includes tattoos that are "sexist (express nudity), racist, eccentric or offensive..."
Bausell said he included the words "Southern Pride" on the flag to make sure no one thought the flag was a symbol of racial hatred. But, that was not enough for the recuiter whose race has not been revealed.
Lawrence student banned from displaying Confederate flag
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- A Kansas high school student who had been displaying a Confederate flag on the vehicle he drove to school has been told he can no longer show the flag on school property, according to school officials.
Free State High School decided not to allow the student to bring the flag to school, district spokeswoman Julie Boyle told The Lawrence Journal-World in an email Thursday. "It was disrupting the learning environment, so Free State High administration asked the student not to bring the flag back on campus," Boyle said.
While the district doesn't have a policy regarding the Confederate flag, the high school's student handbook has a policy that states its commitment to providing a discrimination-free learning experience.
Lawrence Superintendent Rick Doll said the incident would be used to discuss issues surrounding race with students at the school. "School staff see this issue as an educational opportunity for students and fully understand the school's obligation to respect students' free speech rights and protect students from racial discrimination and harassment, as the Confederate flag may be associated with racism, slavery and violence against African-Americans," Doll said in an email.
VISIT THE DIXIE HERITAGE BOOKSTORE
The Christmas pricing remains in effect only because I have not had time to update the website. We will honor all sales made at the site until that update is made. so take advantage of the savings while they are still online!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
YES, we are still giving a FREE eBook (PDF) copy of the book The Truth About the Confederate Flag to everyone who visits the website - so tell your friends - and your enemies!
www.dixieheritage.weebly.com
Until next week,
Deo Vindice!
Chaplain Ed
Bauswell told a local TV station, "[The recruiter] says DQ, just automatically DQ."
According to the Marine Corp Recruiting Command recruits cannot have any tattoos that are deemed "prejudicial to good order, discipline or morale" and that includes tattoos that are "sexist (express nudity), racist, eccentric or offensive..."
Bausell said he included the words "Southern Pride" on the flag to make sure no one thought the flag was a symbol of racial hatred. But, that was not enough for the recuiter whose race has not been revealed.
Lawrence student banned from displaying Confederate flag
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- A Kansas high school student who had been displaying a Confederate flag on the vehicle he drove to school has been told he can no longer show the flag on school property, according to school officials.
Free State High School decided not to allow the student to bring the flag to school, district spokeswoman Julie Boyle told The Lawrence Journal-World in an email Thursday. "It was disrupting the learning environment, so Free State High administration asked the student not to bring the flag back on campus," Boyle said.
While the district doesn't have a policy regarding the Confederate flag, the high school's student handbook has a policy that states its commitment to providing a discrimination-free learning experience.
Lawrence Superintendent Rick Doll said the incident would be used to discuss issues surrounding race with students at the school. "School staff see this issue as an educational opportunity for students and fully understand the school's obligation to respect students' free speech rights and protect students from racial discrimination and harassment, as the Confederate flag may be associated with racism, slavery and violence against African-Americans," Doll said in an email.
VISIT THE DIXIE HERITAGE BOOKSTORE
The Christmas pricing remains in effect only because I have not had time to update the website. We will honor all sales made at the site until that update is made. so take advantage of the savings while they are still online!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
YES, we are still giving a FREE eBook (PDF) copy of the book The Truth About the Confederate Flag to everyone who visits the website - so tell your friends - and your enemies!
www.dixieheritage.weebly.com
Until next week,
Deo Vindice!
Chaplain Ed
RSS Feed
