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By now I should know better then to read Joe Bowyer’s columns, but like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn, if only to see what it is this week he’s wrong about. One pattern I’ve picked up on is his ongoing lack of understanding about the Civil War.
It isn’t liberals who say the South fought to defend slavery, it was the leaders of the Confederacy. The South Carolina Declaration of Secession alone makes 18 references to slavery. It is impossible to read the Georgia declaration without understanding that their overriding concern was the continuation of slavery. In the words of the Mississippi Declaration of Succession, “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery — the greatest material interest of the world.”
While many soldiers of the South weren’t slave owners, it’s also true that many soldiers in the German Army during World War II weren’t Nazis. Would Joe argue that Hitler’s goals weren’t domination of Europe and the exterminations of Jews? Of course, he wouldn’t. Hitler was unambiguous about his intention, and so were the leaders of the Confederacy.
Why does any of this matter? Because school is about getting an education, not programming, Joe’s chief concern isn’t about the quality of education our children are receiving, only that they aren’t being molded into conservatives. He is willing to sacrifice knowledge for nostalgia.
He admits as much when he says he doesn’t fear foreign invasion but decay from within. Joe fundamentally fails to understand that American values are not set in time. No more than we continue to farm using wooden plows pulled by horses do we define equality as being exclusive to white men. America is constantly evolving, but not everyone equates that with moral decay. The proof of that is the recent election, which was, among other things, a referendum between change and a return to what Joe would call “real” American values. The people chose to continue forward.
Joe cannot change the reason for the Civil War nor can he change the march of modernity. I’m sure if I live as long as Joe I’ll look back on the America of my youth and reminisce, but I would hope that I would be wise enough to understand it wasn’t necessarily better, only different. America’s best days are always ahead of it, even if people like Joe can’t recognize that.
Matt Meagher, Logansport
Opinion
PUBLIC FORUM: Our best days still lie ahead
- Opinion
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- THORNS & ROSES: Week of May 16
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WOLFSIE: Writing on the walls
Sometimes when I am trying to think of an idea for my column, I just stare at the wall. That’s not a bad thing, because on the wall in my home office is a collection of special pieces of memorabi-lia that inspire me to write, reminding me of the talented people I have had the privilege to meet.
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HAYDEN: From good to great in education not the way
On the campaign trail last year and early into his administration, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said repeatedly that his goal as governor would be to take Indiana from “good to great.”
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THEIR VIEW: Big Brother looms large in D.C.
The federal government, working under the cloak of secrecy, has been having a heyday at the expense of all Americans.
First we learn the IRS has been targeting conservatives — applications for tax-exempt status by tea party groups were wrongly singled out for extra scrutiny. -
KITCHELL: Waste-to-energy a big waste of time
Had all of Logansport attended the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists Awards ceremony last month in Indianapolis, we all would have learned that the No. 1 editorial written in the state in the past year was about a subject that sounds familiar to Logansport residents.
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THEIR VIEW: Keep teens safe on the roadways
Indiana was able to achieve welcome decreases in teen-driving deaths after adopting graduated driver’s license laws. But it appears some of the benefits of easing teen drivers more slowly into the responsibilities associated with driving are leveling off.
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MARCUS: Where to put your money
Snail Smith’s real name is Stanley, but his contorted windup and slow pitches gave him the nickname, Snail, during his short baseball career.
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THEIR VIEW: Indiana loses a respected leader
At a time when our nation was deeply divided by war, social upheaval and political corruption, Otis R. “Doc” Bowen brought stability to Indiana in his eight years as governor largely through the strength of his personal integrity. He was respected, revered even, not only by fellow Republicans but also by independents and Democrats for his deep commitment to the state and its people.
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OUR VIEW: Mothers the greatest gift of all
Our mothers help guide us through the world around us, helping us sidestep disaster if at all possible. She holds our hand as we become the person we were meant to be. She knew us from the beginning, and if she had it her way, she’d know us to the very end.
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PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor tells residents of positive change
When the residents of Logansport elected me as their new mayor in November 2011, it was truly an honor.
Our city was battling back from a devastating loss of 1,500 jobs in five years, a recession that wasn’t letting up on the household income of our residents, a divided fire protection commitment in our county and an overall sense of loss in our community. - More Opinion Headlines
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