“REBEL FOR LIFE”
by Michael Gaddy, ©2016, blogging at The Rebel Madman
(Jan. 4, 2016) — While it is an oft used cliche, “the future belongs to the youth of our country,” it could never be more relevant than it is today, especially considering the institutionalized ignorance that passes for education throughout our land.
In June of 2015, prompted by a galling lack of knowledge of American history, a knee-jerk reaction to a church shooting in South Carolina by an obviously mentally disturbed individual and a mad desire to appease the gods of political correctness and Cultural Marxism, the school board in Fort Smith, Arkansas, avoiding as best they could the light of transparency and citizen input, voted to do away with the mascot of Southside High School; (Rebel) the fight song (Dixie) and to change the name of the dance team (Dixie Belles.)
Caring not one iota how much of the taxpayers’ money, funds which would be taken from the classroom, teacher pay raises and building maintenance would be wasted on the resultant changing of athletic uniforms, band uniforms, signage and other sundry changes necessitated by their decision (estimates for these changes range upward to $500,000), the board and their leader, the school superintendent, were very proud of their accomplishment.
But, as is the predominant history of this once-great country, out of the chaos and turmoil surrounding this highly questionable act by those elected to provide and insure a proper education for those in their charge, a spirit of resistance sprouted and has come to full blossom. Instrumental in this rebirth of honorable resistance to the tyranny of the elected bureaucrat was former Southside Rebel athlete and student, attorney Joey McCutchen of Fort Smith. Kudos to Mr. McCutchen for exposing the nefarious acts of the aforementioned school board and superintendent are in order. America was founded by such stock; the man who stands for right regardless of the numbers of the tyrants who oppose him.
That being said, I would like to honor another Rebel in this battle, a fine young man, current student athlete and from all reports and observations a wonderful, caring, intelligent person by the name of Si Kilinc. Si took to social media (Facebook) to eloquently express his thoughts on the school board’s decision and what the name Rebel means to him, complete with some very poignant photographs. Si proudly joined the ranks of others who will consider themselves a “Rebel for life.” In his touching presentation, the young Kilinc displayed wisdom and a knowledge of American history that far exceeds the members of the school board and the superintendent who propagated this draconian ruling on the parents, students and citizens of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Kilinc knows the term Rebel has much more significance than just the name that was given to those in the South who opposed the illegal, unconstitutional invasion of their homes and firesides by the forces of Abraham Lincoln. Si knows those who lack the courage to stand for what is right often demean those who possess that courage with pejorative terms, yet, he was undeterred by such actions. He is probably familiar with the words of William Pitt when Pitt cited the feelings and words of those in England upon hearing of the unrest that would lead to this country’s first war for independence. “… even the chimney sweeps in London streets talked boastingly of their subjects in America, Rebel was the uniform title of those despised subjects.”
Si Kilinc is probably also aware of the words reference the term Rebel as quoted by a Confederate Veteran with the surname of Keily, “This sneer was the substitute for argument, which Camden and Chatham met in the Lords, and [Edmund] Burke and Barre in the Commons, as their eloquent voices were raised for justice to the Americans of the last century. ‘Disperse Rebels’ was the opening command at Lexington. ‘Rebels’ was the sneer of General Gage addressed to the brave lads of Boston Commons. It was the title by which Dunsmore attempted to stigmatize the Burgesses of Virginia, and Sir Henry Clinton passionately denounced the patriotic women of New York. At the base of every statue which gratitude has erected to patriotism in America you will find ‘Rebel’ written. The springing shaft at Bunker Hill, the modest shaft which tells where [Dr. Joseph] Warren fell, the fortresses which line our coast, the name of our Country’s Capital, the very streets of our cities—all proclaim America’s boundless debt to rebels; not only to rebels who, like Hamilton and Warren, gave their first love and service to the young Republic, but rebels who, like Franklin and Washington, broke their allegiance [to England] to become rebels.”
We are in a sad state of affairs in this country when some of the young people know more of their country’s history than do those who supposedly administer and supervise their education—but, then, perhaps it will be the young men like Si Kilinc who become the leaders we will require should we ever return to a constitutional form of government, without the influence of perverted history and Cultural Marxists.
All who cherish the dedication and sacrifice of our ancestors owe a debt of gratitude to people like Mr. Joey McCutchen and Si Kilinc. Fortunate is the country that produces more of both.
“Every man should endeavor to understand the meaning of subjugation before it is too late… It means the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern schoolteachers; will learn from Northern school books their version of the war; will be impressed by the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors, and our maimed veterans as fit objects for derision… It is said slavery is all we are fighting for, and if we give it up we give up all. Even if this were true, which we deny, slavery is not all our enemies are fighting for. It is merely the pretense to establish sectional superiority and a more centralized form of government, and to deprive us of our rights and liberties.”
Maj. General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, Confederate States of America, January 1864
General Cleburne gave that last great measure of devotion to his beloved Confederacy at the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. This is a partial account of that fateful day.
“General Cleburne emphasized Hood’s orders that the Federal works must be carried by the point of the bayonet at all hazards. [General Daniel Chevilette] Govan saluted and said, “Well, General, few of us will ever return to Arkansas to tell the story of this battle.” Cleburne replied with a sentiment that was prevalent in most of the hearts of the men in the gallant Army of Tennessee: “Well, Govan, if we are to die, let us die like men.”
IN RIGHTFUL REBEL LIBERTY