Gettysburg
Just got in from a great week-plus at Gettysburg . First was a get-together for our camping group,
followed by the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. While there, we toured the battlefield again,
learning more new stuff. If you've never been to Gettysburg and toured the battlefield and visitors'
center, you're missing out on a great experience. Before taking a tour, professionally or
self-guided, I would recommend watching the movie "Gettysburg" which will help understand what is
being seen on the ground. (And it's a great movie.)
A couple things came to mind while there. Foremost was the question about statues, monuments, and
street names for Confederate soldiers and units. Given the recent destruction of Confederate
memorials, I wonder what will become of the dozens of memorials lining the battlefield at
Gettysburg. When will the liberals decide those memorials must be erased also.
Another thing that came to mind, actually the subject was brought up by one of the band leaders, was
the use of the term 'hillbilly' to refer to the artists and genre of Bluegrass music. The bandsman
talked about how degrading the term 'hillbilly' was, likening it to some of the other 'slang' terms
used to describe various groups of people.
His bottom line was this, instead of being called 'hillbillies', Bluegrass folk would much prefer
the use of the term 'Appalachian-Americans'.
Sounds reasonable to me.
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