The prime directive of any organism, be it human, virus, or government, is to keep existing. States leaving was a threat to the survival of the federal government.

When it comes down to it, the war was fought over states rights. The was was fought over power. Slavery was only an excuse given.

So anybody want to lay odds on what would happen if Idaho tried to secede? Even after the US federal government gave the Russians a hard time about letting some of their territories secede?

Few young soldiers in today’s US military would question the order to open fire on Americans in armed rebellion. Think the fact that the Constitution does not allow it? They have not followed the Constitution in a very long time anyways, why would they start now? Some cops have said they would resist, but cops armed with pistols and a few assault rifles against troops armed with tanks or better?

Me thinks that there will be American blood spilled again as we transition into the next phase, where we get a dictator.

This argument can be made regarding deity as well.

What it comes down to is the perception ultimately of those who have attained levels of power and influence that are able through their decisions effect happiness or misery upon more than just themselves.

I agree completely, the tragedy of the Civil War other than that it happened at all, was the aftermath that took place in the South. The people of the North were not innocent, everyone was benefiting from slavery whether they owned slaves or not, north and south. The freeing of slaves was done with no thought as how to integrate them into society. It was not a simple matter of good guys and bad guys as there were enough of each on both sides to go around. I think what I find offensive about the Governor of Virgina is that he is using this subject for political expediency. He knows that if he can strike the right chord with people money will flow into his campaign coffers. Of course he expected that people on the left would start howling and that he would have to amend his statement. He probably had it drafted before he made the proclamation about Confederate Month, but he knows that if he can show that he is standing up to liberals then conservatives will throw money at him. He wanted to create a stir and this was a very good way to do that. Look at the congressman that yelled “you lie!” during the Presidents speech. Money instantly started flowing to him. He probably was not calculating on that and it was probably an honest emotional outburst, but now every politician has seen that. They will act accordingly. CheriNVB is correct, we must move on, we have much more pressing issues to deal with without having to rehash something that should have been over some 150 years ago.