Carpetbagger notes:
Most lists of the worst Americans in U.S. history include Nathan Bedford Forrest near the top. That’s what happens when someone creates the KKK to terrorize freed slaves and their allies, after taking up arms against the United States.
That wouldn’t be topical if not for the decision of Texas Republican Ted Poe to quote Forrest on the House floor.
On Monday, Rep. Ted Poe took to the House floor to discuss foreign policy matters. To make a point, the Texas Republican invoked the words of Civil War Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest: “Git thar fustest with the mostest.”
Of course, being a Republican, Poe got the quote wrong. What Forrest actually said was, “to git thar fust with the most men.” I don’t know that that is an uniquely insightful military observation warranting a reference on the House floor. Forrest was known for his emphasis on mobility, but really…
I think it would be better to quote Guderian or Rommel if you want to discuss blitzkreigs. But what does a blitzkreig have to do with the supplemental war funding bill anyway? Answer: nothing.
Poe is just an insensitive idiot.
And, for the Democrats’ approach to dealing with Dubya and the rest of the Publican posse, I would recommend a reported favorite motto of Hurryin’ Heinz – “Klotzen nicht Kleckern.” I’ve seen several translations offered, but I think my own transliteration captures the intent the best – “Punch, Don’t Tickle.” The Congressional Democrats need to keep pounding away at the Publican position on the Iraqi occupation, which can’t be justified under any circumstance.
I beg to differ. Poe’s very sensitive — sensitive to what will play well to his base supporters that is.
well…you’ve got me there.
What, he couldn’t find any suitable Attila the Hun statements to misquote?
Of course not. Attila won his wars.
When I first read the quote, I thought it was from a Monday in 1872, not yesterday.
My headache is back.
It’s Ted Poe. Don’t expect better. He’s a SERIOUS headcase, even by MY standards. (And I am really not in a position to be calling other folks head cases…)
Guy’s a born-again paleolith conservative…. life would be so much better if only the entire post-Magna Carta period could be repealed and/or outlawed… and if all the outlaws could be hung.
My Grandmother was a Forrest, claiming descent from the topic at hand.
As I have posted at “Bats Left Throws Right”, I am sure that my near worship of General Sherman would be the only thing for which Nana would never forgive me (thanks a ton, Ken Burns!).
We do indeed need to put a stake through the heart of the Confederate Apologiae, however (wince), I will continue to quote Guderian and Rommel when discussing movement and engagement of Heavy forces. I will continue to cite Yamamoto, when discussing Naval strike force training and deployment, and heaven forfend, I might quote Giap on guerilla tactics (I might even mention that Uncle Ho referenced the Declaration of Independence). If given the chance, I would not feel that I had besmirched the honor of the House of Representatives, if I did thusly, in open session.
All these men were tools of the ideologies of their times. Just like Ted Poe is a tool (couldn’t help myself there).
Wanna bash codewords? Cool as a rule! Wanna make the Stars and Bars as illegal here as the schwaztika is in Germany? Sign me up! No, really, send me the PayPal link.
But if you wanna say that we hold one General as being a symbol for Slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the KKK (which he left), lynching and every other chickenshit thing we have done to each other, you better get closer to Lee (anyone quote him lately????), or Jeff Davis or even Stonewall Jackson than NBF.
All this is said, Ft. Pillow notwithstanding.