Virginia Military Institute removes Confederate statue

[Zorro]

The Virginia Military Institute has removed a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson

The Virginia Military Institute removed a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson on Monday, an effort initiated this fall after allegations of systemic racism roiled the school.

Around 9:45 a.m., a crane plucked the statue, which some cadets were required to salute until several years ago, off its base and slowly hoisted it away at the public military college in Lexington. A small crowd gathered amid snow flurries to look on.

VMI’s board voted to remove the statue in late October after The Washington Post published a story that described an “atmosphere of hostility and cultural insensitivity” at VMI. The piece detailed incidents such as lynching threats and a white professor reminiscing in class about her father’s Ku Klux Klan membership.

Founded in 1839, VMI says it is the oldest state-supported military college in the U.S.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/nation-world/story/2020-12-07/virginia-military-institute-removing-confederate-statue

[Aristus]

1. The guy who got his stupid self shot because he didn't think to say:

"Hold your fire. It's just me" to his jittery troops.

Good riddance.

Jackson uttered what are perhaps the most beautiful last words I've ever heard. But he was a horrible human being.

[EX500rider]

4. Actually the picket fired before waiting for a reply.

Darkness ended the assault. As Jackson and his staff were returning to camp on May 2, they were mistaken for a Union cavalry force by the 18th North Carolina Infantry regiment who shouted, "Halt, who goes there?", but fired before evaluating the reply. Frantic shouts by Jackson's staff identifying the party were replied to by Major John D. Barry with the retort, "It's a damned Yankee trick! Fire!" A second volley was fired in response; in all, Jackson was hit by three bullets, two in the left arm and one in the right hand

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_Jackson

[Aristus]

6. Thanks for the correction.

I still think it would have been a good idea for him to have alerted his men before he got close enough for them to challenge him.

But at least they killed the guy who might have prolonged the war even longer.

[Yeehah]

2. Yes, it's time we stop the traitor worship

Hundreds of VMI graduates enter the service of the USA as commissioned officers every year. Congratulations to VMI for doing the right thing.

[Efilroft Sul]

3. Taken down by his own troops again, eh?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Okay but what about the systemic racism