Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Commander's Column for November 2022 - Government Censorship of Social Media and WBTS Precedence

Confidence  in the mainstream media as a dependable unbiased news source has plummeted in recent years approximately in proportion to the rise of social media platforms providing an alternative news platform.  The widespread and growing access to the internet provides a worldwide web of information at the fingertips of computer and smartphone users.    Mainstream television networks created their own news websites but increasingly, people are depending on gathering and often sharing real time news stories on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.  This has focused attention on whether these sites can be trusted to provide an unbiased perspective on news stories, thought and opinions.  The current POTUS administration attempted to create a Disinformation Governance Board which although short lived (3 weeks), still apparently exists in their reach into these predominant social media platforms allowing them to label, limit and attempt to discredit opposition perspectives.  This federal government overreach is very similar to Lincoln’s attempts to censor opposition to his War for tariff collection and invasion of the Southern states, jailing editors and shutting down newspapers which dared to print news and opinions opposing his unconstitutional actions. 

“According to the latest data from Pew Research, which incorporates responses from more than 9,200 Americans, around 71% of people now get at least some of their news input from social media platforms.  The results show that social media platforms have now become a critical news source, which is why accuracy is important. If people are making life decisions based on the information served to them on Facebook and Twitter, then it’s important for those platforms to also ensure that the information people see is correct.”  (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/new-research-shows-that-71-of-americans-now-get-news-content-via-social-pl/593255/ )  This was a January 2021 article and it’s amazing to see how the tail has turned.  The Democrats were up in arms following the January “riots/insurrection” in DC and blamed Twitter and Facebook communications for enabling demonstrators.   The article continues, “People are definitely being informed by what they find on social platforms, and these stats show that its influence cannot be denied. Now it’s a matter of determining what they should be allowed to display, and how you regulate such effectively.”  Astonishing the blatant infringement on free speech in this statement maintaining that there should be regulations on what should be shared on social media platforms.  Elon Musk believed that there was a certain bias in what was permitted on Twitter and it prompted him to pursue his purchase of the social media giant and purge the staff of those who banished users including POTUS 45 and others promoting one world order UN human rights initiatives.  He has promised equal access and debate from all perspectives on his new Twitter.

Another Pew research poll later in September 2021 found, “A third of U.S. adults continue to get their news regularly from Facebook, though the exact percentage has slipped from 36% in 2020 to 31% in 2021. This drop reflects an overall slight decline in the number of Americans who say they get their news from any social media platform — a percentage that also fell by 5 percentage points year-over-year, going from 53% in 2020 to a little less than 48%.  The change comes at a time when tech companies have come under heavy scrutiny for allowing misinformation to spread across their platforms, Pew notes. That criticism has ramped up over the course of the pandemic, leading to vaccine hesitancy and refusal. In addition to the one-third of U.S. adults who regularly get their news on Facebook, 22% say they regularly get news on YouTube. Twitter and Instagram are regular news sources for 13% and 11% of Americans, respectively.  Today, 55% of Twitter users regularly get news from its platform.” (https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/20/study-finds-half-of-americans-get-news-on-social-media-but-percentage-has-dropped/ ) Even this article reporting on a poll though has a slanted biased viewpoint claiming an example of misinformation was associated with those who were mRNA COVID vaccination hesitant when it has come to pass that their hesitancy was based on the fact that the mRNA vaccination was a new technology, untested, and  unproven and launched to billions worldwide without the rigorous clinical trials under which such vaccinations and pharmaceuticals undergo.  And it has proven to be of very limited efficacy and medical side effects evidence is growing daily.  Misinformation? 

The federal (and state) government was claiming any opposition to the mRNA vaccinations were guilty of spreading misinformation.  Twitter flagged all such and prohibited related postings.  Now it has come to light that the government actually was largely pulling the marionette strings at Twitter and Facebook.  “Social media giants essentially granted government officials the ability to censor and suppress speech in the name of fighting “misinformation,” by providing them direct access to flag posts and an open line of communication with senior executives, according to a report by The Intercept.  The outlet found that the short-lived Disinformation Governance Board wasn’t the Biden administration’s only attempt at censoring political speech and posts that ran contrary to their preferred narratives.  According to leaked records, meeting minutes, and a lawsuit filed by a pair of Republican attorney generals obtained by The Intercept, top-ranking Biden administration officials seemingly worked hand-in-hand with Big Tech to censor content that the federal government deemed misinformation.  A presentation obtained by The Intercept revealed that Facebook went as far as creating a special portal for the Department of Homeland Security and government partners where they could log in to report “disinformation” directly to the company.  Emails obtained in a federal lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry over purported collaboration between the government and social media companies to censor or suppress speech indicate what appears to be coordination between dozens of federal administration officials and social media executives on how to address information regarding COVID-19 and a range of other content.  “The discovery provided so far demonstrates that this Censorship Enterprise is extremely broad,” Schmitt and Landry said in a joint statement.  In a request for depositions of several key administration officials, the attorneys general argue that they were directly involved in social media censorship campaigns, especially stories and posts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights what they assert is an open collusion between the government and social media companies.  During a November 2021 conference, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) director Jen Easterly stated: “One could argue we’re in the business of critical infrastructure, and the most critical infrastructure is our cognitive infrastructure, so building that resilience to misinformation and disinformation, I think, is incredibly important.””  (https://www.newsmax.com/politics/censor-information-facebook/2022/11/01/id/1094446/ )  The Biden administration actually created an Orwellian Ministry of Truth, the Disinformation Governance Board.  While it was paused only 3 weeks after it’s launch, the federal governments overreach into policing and disclaiming free speech on these social media platforms persists.  “Both DHS and Meta, the parent company of Facebook declined to comment when asked why the (government portal) “content request system” at facebook.com/xtakedowns/login is still active.”  Lincoln’s unconstitutional censorship, shutting down newspapers and imprisoning editors across the United States including the Chicago Times and the Washington DC Sunday Chronicle who opposed his War to collect tariffs from Southern states foreshadowed the federal governments tampering with first Amendment freedom of speech and of the press even in the digital age today.   

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for November 2022

            “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12.

 

            There are times in our lives when we seem to walk in perpetual darkness. I have encountered those seasons and I know as you read this you have as well. Some of those seasons seem to pass quickly and sometimes, unfortunately, they seem to go on forever.  During those times in our lives, we have two very distinct choices. We succumb to the darkness and let it overwhelm us, or we tether ourselves even stronger to God and let the light overcome the darkness.

            That can be easier said than done, though. I have a hard time trusting others and that can sometimes translate in to failing to trust God. So I asked myself how did our Confederate ancestors, during the war and reconstruction, resist the temptation to, as Job’s wife lamented, “to curse God and die”?

They put their complete trust and faith in God. An example comes from the Apostle Paul as he writes in Romans 4 that Abraham trusted God when God told him he would be the father of many tribes and nations. Abraham knew that such a thing was impossible at his age, but he put his complete faith in the Lord and was rewarded. Abraham did this again years later when God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son. He was again obedient to God and was again rewarded for his trust and righteousness.

            I will confess that as darkness has seem to envelop our family of late, I have questioned what was God is doing in my life? I may have passed my medical tests, but I failed my spiritual test.   

            Twice in recent weeks, the Lord has put Peter on my mind. In the first instance, I was reminded of the book of Matthew, verses 22-33, when Peter walked on the water to Jesus. He was fine at first, almost with a child-like glee to be with his Lord. But, then, he began to sink. Why? He took his eyes off of Jesus. Peter was fine when he kept his eyes on Jesus, but when he looked down at the water, he began to sink.  We do that in our lives as well. We are fine as long as we keep our eyes on God. But when we fail to realize that God is bigger than any problem we may have, we began to sink.

            After I had much time in prayer and reading of scripture, the Holy Spirit put Peter back in my mind once more. I read John 21:15-17. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times the night of his trial and eventual crucifixion. Peter was demoralized and was certain that Jesus would denounce him. Jesus loved the disciples, and Peter, especially. Jesus went to Peter and asked him three times if Peter loved him. Each time Peter answered “of course I do.” Jesus replied, “then feed my sheep. No reprimand, no denouncement, just love and forgiveness. Jesus then commissioned Peter and the other disciples as he does us. “Go and feed my sheep.” I believe God put that scripture on my heart because He loves me and wanted me to know that I was forgiven (as we all are) and that there was no time to feel sorry for oneself because there is work to do!

“Go and feed my sheep! “

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Perform Final Seasonal Mowing at Historic Robinson Springs Cemetery

Friday and Saturday Oct 21st and 22nd, members of the Prattville Dragoons, SCV Camp 1524 mowed the grounds at the Robinson Springs cemetery in Millbrook AL as the final seasonal maintenance.  On Friday, Brigade Commander Harold Grooms brought his riding lawn mower and cut the larger areas within the fenced cemetery.  Then on Saturday morning, 1st Lt Rob Schwartz and compatriot Thomas Griffith finished up with push mowers and weed trimmers.  This maintenance work should keep the cemetery looking good thru the winter months as the grass goes dormant.  More terrific community service work as part of the SCV Guardian Program to maintain historic cemeteries which provide the final resting place for Confederate veterans as well as many community founders and veterans from other wars. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Work Masonry Repairs at Historic Indian Hill Cemetery

Members of the Prattville Dragoons helped a local master bricklayer with brick and concrete repairs at the Indian Hill Cemetery over the past couple weeks.  Dragoons Color Sgt John Dennis initiated the repairs working with 87 year old Don Hall who is a master bricklayer.   1st Lt Rob Schwartz also pitched in and learned a lot about the mason craft and came away amazed at Don's knowledge, skill and energy with the project.  The guys rebuilt a brick wall around a family plot at Indian Hill which provides the final resting place for a number of original Dragoons, veterans of the War for Southern Independence.  Some of this brick had fallen on the ground and they used this and worked to find old brick to use to complete the wall, even attempting to match the weathered mortar color. They also have reconstructed a false crypt for another grave using concrete including footers and forms.  Broken headstones are also being repaired and cleaned.  An outstanding project which these men initiated and have owned including spending substantial money of their own to enhance this historic cemetery and return these gravesites to their original condition.  Indian Hill cemetery is maintained by the Dragoons as part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Guardian program.  

                                 

        

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 at the Autauga County Fair

Members of the Prattville Dragoons manned a booth at the Autauga County Fair from Tuesday thru Saturday October 11-15th.  Rain and threatening weather caused the closure of the fair on Wednesday the 12th but otherwise the weather was outstanding with clear cool temperatures and so there were great crowds each evening the fair was open.   Dragoons' 2nd Lt Karl Wade coordinated the camp's entry including submitting the registration with the fair organizers as well as recruiting members to work time slots throughout the week.  Karl also worked every single shift!  On Monday before the fair, Karl along with camp Commander Waldo, Quartermaster Myrick and Adjutant Sutherland set up the tables and banners for the booth and brought in the camp stores for handouts and sales.  Additionally members working throughout the week included Brigade Commander Harold Grooms, 1st Lt Rob Schwartz, Treasurer Billy Leverette, Color Sgt John Dennis, along with compatriots Dale Boyles, Tyrone Crowley, Darryl Haywood, Larry Miller and Louis Turner.  Crowds estimated between 8000-10000 people from the Autauga County area attended the fair and passed by the Dragoons' booth representing a fantastic opportunity for these camp members to greet our neighbors and provide information about the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the camp, offer mini Battle flags and SCV recruitment coins and posters and sell larger historical flags as well as car tags and ball caps and coffee mugs emblazoned with the Battle Flag.  Karl also stocked a dish with Halloween candy for the kids.  The Dragoons had terrific sales with proceeds for the camp treasury funding all the projects for the coming year including donations to heritage preservation groups and food pantries, flags to set at local cemeteries, fair and parade entries and other initiatives.  The  2022 Autauga County Fair and the Dragoons booth were a huge success.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Fall Muster

The Dragoons enjoyed their annual fall muster on Saturday October 8th with twenty attendees enjoying a picnic and clay shoot.  The weather was warm and sunny and the Dismukes property south of Millbrook provided a great venue for the event.  Members included Commander Stuart Waldo, 1st Lt Rob Schwartz, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Brigade Commander Grooms, and Quartermaster Myrick along with compatriots Dave Thompson, Mike Thomas, Thomas Griffith , Tyler Suttle and Dale Boyles.  The guys brought their significant others including wives, family and friends. Philip Edwards set up an electromechanical thrower which really moved the clay targets downfield in a hurry; he also contributed boxes of clay targets and shotgun shells for everyone to shoot.  Adjutant Sutherland brought by smoked pork which he had pulled along with buns and BBQ sauce and all the plates and utensils before he had to depart for work.  Everyone who wanted to shoot was able to bust some targets including trying different shotguns including new and old Remingtons and Philip's beautiful Benellis.  After a morning round of shooting, the food everyone brought to share was blessed by 1st Lt Schwartz for a picnic dinner.  In addition to Adjutant Sutherland's BBQ pork, 2nd Lt Wade provided Conecuh sausage, Commander Waldo brought some fried chicken along with potato salad and corn casserole and, "The Bug Man" brought some ham and pimento cheese sandwiches.  Quartermaster Myrick brought  his world famous baked beans and he threw some hot dogs on there for good measure and his wife sent along a delicious Earthquake chocolate cake.  Philip and his wife brought a scrumptious upside down blueberry cobbler.  Mike brought a pair of jazzed up  bakes beans and Thomas Griffith brought a baked mac n cheese with french fried onions on top.  1st Lt Schwartz brought some potato salad and there was very good cole slaw, cookies, chips and all sorts of delicious food enjoyed.  After dinner, more clay pigeons were shot and some missed but it was a lot of fun for everyone.  Commander Waldo's daughter and son even tried shooting - he hit his very first two targets as well as another pair using Philip's 20 gage Benelli which he immediately fell in love with.  The Bug Man proved to be an exceptional marksman but Philip was undoubtedly the premier shot of the event and proved his accuracy using a number of different guns.  Another great family event for the compatriots of Camp 1524 on a beautiful warm fall day in the southwest central brigade of the Alabama Division SCV.

SCV Camp 1524 Work to Restore Graveyard Brick Masonry at Historic Indian Hill Cemetery

Dragoons Color Sgt John Dennis worked with friend Don Hall to rebuild the damaged brick work around the Smith family graves plot at Indian Hill cemetery on Saturday October 1.  Much of the front wall restoration was completed while they went thru eight bags of mortar.  They matched the beige mortar color to that of the existing wall.  Mr. Hall is a descendent of original WBTS Dragoon Dixon Hall who is buried at Indian Hill.  This restoration work is part of the Dragoons' pledged maintenance of the historic cemetery as part of the SCV Guardian program.