PhD from Forge Theological Seminary

The Civil War was about slavery as Lincoln's First Inaugural Address says. But slavery wasn't the only thing. The South couldn’t compete with the North economically or demographically. If the Planter Class and their "Cavalier" lifestyle was to survive they knew they had to control their own foreign trade and taxes as well as their social system. Basically, I think, they hated democracy.

My opinion only of course.

 

I had forgotten that discussion. That makes the choice of the name even more interesting. As the Church Lady said on SNL, "Could it be Satan hmmm".

Hey why are your academic robes white sheets and the tam looks like a pillowcase?

 

"Because I'm Dean of Academic Affairs - and Grand Kleagle!"

 

Remember the attempt in the 90s and early 2000s to start what its proponents called "a Confederate, Christian, military institute," potentially in Tennessee, under the name "Southern Military Institute?"

 

Wow. Kind of like saying well let's bring the good aspects of the Third Reich, the symbolism, pride, and culture but we will just ignore the anti-Semitic part and other racial policies (like enslaving Polish people). Sort of Nazism 2.0.

A kindler gentler Confederacy.

 

But all of the Confederate symbols celebrate White Supremacy. There WERE NO "good aspects."

 

Right, all 3. "Nazis 4 Jesus." "Onward Christian Soldiers" and the Horst-Wessel-Lied. Horrible.

 

Well, I got something a little less dismal out of this, anyway. I was looking up German military ranks in WW2 and came across "Funkmeister." I thought maybe I'd snag an mp3 of "Cissy Strut," "Superfreak" or perhaps "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." No such luck. "Funkmeister" is "Radio Sergeant." 'Funk' just means 'radio' in German. How dull.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/07_article-hdbk-TM-E-30-451_Page_850_Handbook_on_German_military_forces_US_War_Dep_March_1945--VII_Army_WW2_Specialty_Badges,_Musician,_Markmanship_cord_awards,_etc_(NCOs,_Enlisted_Men)._No_known_copyright._Contrast.jpg

(Second row down, second from left)

 

I knew my grandfather’s World War II service as a radio operator on Royal Canadian Air Force flights, over Europe and later over the Pacific coast, was cool, but only thanks to this do I know he was a Funkmeister.

 

The key term in the above is "opinions." Cogitare de fonte.

Let me just stop you right there. While Levicoff has written some interesting things, his opinion is hardly authoritative. I personally don't tend to countenance the opinions of men who persistently behave as juveniles.

Well known for his persistent degrading comments about Christianity, Dr. Douglas is invoking morality to support his criticism of a theological seminary. Please tell me, from whence does this morality come?

 

I'm pretty sure he was, indeed. Back in the late 70's, I seem to remember a popular MC, a real pro, "cuttin' and scratchin'" on heavy turntables in the clubs - wasn't he known as "Grand Master Whatley?"

"Grand Master - cut faster!" - Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five.

 

I know nothing about this effort, but a quick search shows that the main purpose is to have an all-male environment.

My HS alma mater (Fork Union Military Academy) was all-male and JROTC, then in the 1960's the Federal government said they had to admit females to keep JROTC, so they dumped it and continued with admitting only males. I can only speak for myself, but having females in that environment would have destroyed the very atmosphere that has made it successful for so many years, and I would not have thrived as I did.

 

I taught actual ROTC for four years. Women dominated the cadet ranks and in terms of winning awards, despite being just a quarter of the student body. Different from an all-male high school? Sure. Just another perspective.

 

Again, I'm purposely choosing not to respond.

 

One of the reasons I landed at military school to begin with was because girls were a huge distraction. A very strict military & academic environment, no girls, in the middle of nowhere (Fork Union, VA defines the term) is exactly what I and countless other young boys needed/need.

 

That was a main purpose, but when it was also Neo-Confederate, it's hard to place the Neo-Confederate part as secondary.

 

I certainly don't endorse the Confederate piece (which would make it impossible to get ROTC to begin with), but I do think a market exists for an old-school, all male ROTC military college along the lines of pre-1994 VMI and the Citadel if it was well-funded and run correctly.

 

And, you know, legal?

 

I can see that. You sound like it remains a good experience to you. I am not surprised that many boys emerge from that environment better for it.

 

I respect your experience. However, as a volunteer with a female troop in the Boy Scouts, I'm afraid I do not care too much about some very similar attitudes. Especially when people choose to share them with our Scouts trying to sell popcorn.