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McConnell is a “compatriot.” Hmm. I know the GAR called their fellow veterans “comrades.” I wonder what the Confederate veterans called each other: did the boys formerly in gray also use “comrade” and, if so, here we have an example of “political correctness.”
I’ve never found the word “compatriot” in the Confederate Veteran magazine up through the 1910s — they always used “comrade.” My guess is that that they started using “compatriot” later in the 20th century, when “comrade” came to be commonly associated with Communism. It’s not a term that real Confederates seem to have used much, if at all.
Lite Guv McConnell is probably the highest-level elected official in the country who makes a big show of his SCV membership and various heritage activities. But for all his supposed Confed cred, he’s also a shameless liar, having claimed that this uniform is that of a Union Navy Captain.
McConnell’s uniform:
(a) is the little known “Project Runway” 1862 shell jacket, designed by that season’s runner-up.
(b) commemorates Brig. Gen. Ezekiel “Old Farb” MacArthur, who wore every bit of brass he could find, including Federal epaulettes, and was regularly egged by his men.
(c) is actually the day-to-day uniform of the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina.
(d) is Nike’s “combat” home football uniform for next year’s Citadel-Wofford game.
(e) was a gift from former Gov. Mark Sanford after a trip on the “Appalachian Trail” (ie, Argentina).
It’s exam week. Choose Carefully.
“…is that of a Union Navy Captain.”
Then his epaulets should look like this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USN_cpt_rank_insignia.jpg
And he should not be wearing Confederate general officer insignia.
Bummer is not a uniform buff, but it looks a lot like Halloween. As for the African-Americans in the photograph, this “old guy” feels confused at their motives.
It seems that “patriot” would suffice.
Bummer
I don’t see any African Americans. I believe the one soldier reaching out just has dirt on his face.
Bummer was writing to Andy ‘s response and the photos that are linked.
BUMMER. :
Sorry about that. Kevin apologizes to Bummer.
No apology required. KEEP UP the great work.
Bummer
The African Americans in the photograph are two well-known educators in the Charleston area, who do programs for K-12 schools and civic groups on the Gullah culture and heritage. The photo was taken at Civil War-themed fundraising dinner set up by a local GOP women’s organization which, I gather, was making a good-faith effort to be a little more inclusive and diverse at one of its events.
IIRC from pictures of the event posted online, there were a number of attendees in CW costume, both Confederate and Union. McConnell, however, has long been a lightning rod for criticism for all sorts of reasons, and his picture with the two performers became public, it went viral on the Internet as a picture of him with “slave reenactors.” That’s not the case, although all parties might have seen that reaction coming, under the circumstances.
Widespread and largely unfair misinterpretation of that particular photo, though, is a separate issue from McConnell’s craven disavowal that he’s wearing a Confederate uniform. We’re not the fools you seem to think we are, sir.