Open Letter to Texas Gov. Rick Perry (copied to the TXDMV)

Gov. Perry,
I will not be supporting you in your run for President of the United States.  Your recent stated position opposing the creation of a Confederate commemorative license plate benefiting Sons of Confederate Veterans heritage preservation demonstrates political waffling and posturing and a rejection of the ideals of liberty and noble Southern history.  You stated that permitting such a plate would "scrape old wounds".  Your denial of the honor under which the Confederate and Texas veterans fought and died in defense of their homelands, a denial of our ancestors bravery and sacrifice scrapes such wounds.  It was Lincoln who fanned the flames of war and invaded a sovereign nation and caused 600,000 casualties, not Jefferon Davis.  It was troops under Grant and Sherman and many other Union generals who shelled and terrorized civilians and raped women and burned homes and churches and crop fields, not Confederate Generals Lee and Jackson.  The Battle Flag displays an historic St. Andrew’s Cross and is emblematic of strength and progress.  The Confederate Battle Flag has been proudly flown by US forces in every worldwide conflict since and including World War II including at Okinawa, at Khe Sanh in Vietnam and in the mid-east conflicts.  The flag has been desecrated by hate groups but it has never represented slavery -  it is a symbol of the defense of freedom and liberty, the values under which the Southern states attempted to form the Confederacy as the one true continuing model of our nation’s founding fathers Constitutional ideals.  The Confederate armies fought and died under that flag to defend their homeland from invasion and for liberty from an overbearing overreaching federal government which should be only too apparent and comprehensible in today’s political climate.  It doesn't appear you have learned your history lesson well. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is the one sole organization dedicated to the preservation of this noble Southern Confederate heritage, to promote the truth behind the establishment of the Confederacy and the valiant struggle our ancestors undertook in defense of their homes and their liberty.  Good luck back in Texas.
Sincerely, Stuart Waldo

Open Letter to Lexington VA City Council Mgr Regarding Prohibition of Confederate Battle Flag

Mr. Ellestad,

I read in recent news articles about the Lexington City Council’s Position to prohibit flying the Confederate Battle Flag on street light poles during certain commemorative events in the town.  Mr.Ellestad, the Confederate history of Lexington makes your town what it is.  Two of the most admired men who fought on either side of the War Between the States are buried in Lexington and that Confederate heritage should be proudly displayed and promoted not hidden and discouraged.  You stated, "that displaying the Confederate flag is very hurtful to groups of people.  In their mind, it stands for the defense of slavery."  If ever there was a teachable moment and a place so deserving, it would be Lexington in defense of Confederate heritage and the Battle Flag.  It was Lincoln who stated he had no desire or inclination to free any slaves and wished to ship all blacks back to Liberia - that was not Jefferson Davis; it was Grant who owned slaves even during the War - that was not Robert E. Lee.  No slaves were ever brought to America for sale under any Confederate flag; the same cannot be said for the United States star spangled banner.  I can only trust that you and your City Council will reap your just desert for taking such a cowardly position and that you will find yourselves displaced by councilmen who value truth and our noble Southern heritage.  I for one will not visit or patronize any Lexington businesses as long as the Lexington City Council supports this position prohibiting the display of the flag on street lights.  The Battle Flag displays an historic St. Andrew’s Cross and is emblematic of strength and progress.  The Confederate Battle Flag has been proudly flown by US forces in every worldwide conflict since and including World War II including at Okinawa, at Khe Sanh in Vietnam and in the mid-east conflicts.  The flag has been desecrated by hate groups but it has never represented slavery and you and the Lexington city council have forfeited an opportunity to relay the truth about the flag and what it represents.  It is a symbol of the defense of freedom and liberty, the values under which the Southern states attempted to form the Confederacy as the one true continuing model of our nation’s founding fathers Constitutional ideals.  The Confederate armies fought and died under that flag to defend their homeland from invasion and for liberty from an overbearing overreaching federal government which should be only too apparent and comprehensible in today’s political climate.  Any belief that they fought in a single purpose defense of the institution of slavery is simple mindedness and ignorance.   President Jefferson Davis’ wife Varina Howell eloquently wrote, “Under it we won our victories and its glory will never fade.  It is enshrined in our hearts forever.”  Your city council dictate and your legacy will assuredly fade. 

Sincerely, Stuart Waldo