Casual Observation

15 Comments

1. 

   Marie3 on December 10, 2015 at 5:25 pm

   That “heritage” should have ended in 1865.  The place should have been razed and never allowed to re-emerge.

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     TarheelDem on December 10, 2015 at 5:47 pm

     The current building dates from 1922.  What does that date tell you? Hint: Birth of a Nation was distributed in 1915.

     The original building dates from 1843 and is located on Marion Square, which is owned by the Washington Light Infantry and the Sumter Guards, two pre-Civil War militia organizations that have become “military and social organizations”.  The Washington Light Infantry was formed in 1807. The original building was built as the State Arsenal.  Cadets from the Arsenal were among the ones who fired on Fort Sumter.  And so was Edmund Ruffin, who could not take the defeat of the Confederacy and the end of slavery.

2. 

   The Voice In The Wilderness on December 10, 2015 at 5:27 pm

   The Citadel has always been known as a fascist breeding ground.

   • 

     esquimaux on December 10, 2015 at 5:46 pm

     and racist.

3. 

   TarheelDem on December 10, 2015 at 5:30 pm

   Well, the KKK would qualify as the “Ghosts of Christmas Past”.

   BTW, the upperclassman in the pic looks kinda older than a typical cadet.

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     TarheelDem on December 10, 2015 at 5:32 pm

     But the state Republicans are over 60% in the tank for the GOP fascist wing, 13% either don’t know or playing dumb, and the remainder the establishment bunch.

4. 

   clearskies on December 10, 2015 at 5:41 pm

   OK , there’s something odd about this. Each student in the pic has a bare right hand and  what looks like a surgical glove on their left hand. WTF? Plus, no robes, just undies. I don’t think these are necessarily KKK-related outfits.

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     TarheelDem on December 10, 2015 at 5:51 pm

     What’s odd about upperclass hazing pushing a lot of taboo buttons.

     It teaches followership and command — two virtues needed in a military that calls its liberatees “ragheads” and engages in torture.

     • 

       clearskies on December 10, 2015 at 6:00 pm

       Look I’m no Errol Morris,  but I think people could  be misinterpreting the photos. I would like to hear from some people with more knowledge about the circumstances before I make a judgement.

     • 

       RUKidding on December 10, 2015 at 6:52 pm

       If it quacks like a duck…

       Let’s just say that making a choice to wear a white hood paired with white clothing, especially in the South, means you have to deal with the consequences of that choice.  

       Don’t play with fire if you don’t enjoy being burned.

       No sympathy.

       • 

         shan on December 10, 2015 at 7:18 pm

         And it is quacking.  The minority enrollment has been going down since 2000.

       • 

         n1cholas on December 10, 2015 at 7:31 pm

         This.

         Otherwise we encourage the ol’, “I was just following orders”.

       • 

         TarheelDem on December 10, 2015 at 11:15 pm

         What is it about that glove on the left hand?  Is that how the “Hell No” bunch screens for gay soldiers now?

         I’m guessing that this might be initiation hazing for the local Pershing Rifles fraternity.  Those typically occur this time of the year.  Would not be surprised if the superannuated upperclassman turned out to be the faculty adviser for the Pershing Rifles.

         Lots of hypotheses and possibilities.

         Someone should keep the heat on and report the results of the university investigation.  Watching the institutions that perpetuate racism causes them to look over their shoulder when they do anything.  Not as easy to slip it by.

5. 

   Marie3 on December 10, 2015 at 10:24 pm

   Profile in leadership (a womanly touch):

   “It’s OK to be afraid,” Clinton said of the threat of homegrown terrorism while at a town hall meeting. “There’s no reason not to be afraid. When bad things happen, it does cause anxiety and fear.”

   New Democrat contrasted with an old Democrat:

   …This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself–nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. …

6. 

   NevadaJ on December 11, 2015 at 9:01 am

   It is telling, IMMHO that the wisest person in this story, and the one who has remained fair, is the youngish 19 year old African American woman…

   I am proud of her.