First point, I said it sounded like a front for the "KKK" not neo-Nazis ("Aryan", not that there is a difference in the long run). I have been told the Nathan Bedford Forrest was one of the founders of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and reportedly the first Imperial Wizard (1867). The remark was not directed at you personally, for I do not know your reasons for posting it. If you took it personally, that is on you. I went to the website and found the following in the FAQ section: "Why should we respond to the U.S. census at all; isn't the census for U.S. citizens and aren't we an occupied country?" If the citizens of the United States were to all take the time to thoroughly study our Constitution, the writings of the founding fathers and delve deeply into the causes for the War for Southern Independence, they would realize that the Northern states grossly violated the Constitution and illegally invaded and occupied the Confederate States of America. In one sense we are an occupied nation. Current reality says that we have to operate within the legal boundaries that exist or face total exclusion from being considered for anything. If we were to refuse to take part in the census, we would risk existing only for the purpose of providing tax dollars for the federal government that "conquered" the South and could end up reaping none of the benefits of living under the current political structure. Southerners need to be engaged politically and work to educate people, Southerners and non-Southerners alike, on the full history of the United States and the South. We need to take this opportunity and make a statement. This will help motivate those Southerners who don't hear about Southerner 2000 in time for the census and get them engaged in rediscovering who they really are. They would appear to be still fighting the Civil War. Before jumping on any band wagon, one should examine whose wagon it is. It would APPEAR that this group's meaning of "Southern" is CSA. Second point, this APPEARS to be a 'political' issue, not genealogical. This 'thread' should have been ended as soon as it started. I do not pay a great deal of attention to these groups, but I don't recall much 'firing up the troops' to write their Congressmen/Senators on an actual headcount vs the estimate. As someone else noted, the same word or words can have far different meanings to different people. To some people "Southern Pride" or "Heritage" means burning crosses, lynching, rape, oppression and the denial of their God given Constitutional rights and protections. And isn't this Tennessee? Did not the people vote against succession only to have the governor backdoor them into the CSA against the majority vote of the populace? What is really sad is that 30 years after the 'Dream" speech, many of our children are sill not allowed to attend their local neighborhood schools. Nothing has changed except that we have added another category (surnames) to the color of one skin. H. Michael McTeer ----- Original Message ----- From: Brant Boner <brant_b@email.com> To: <TNBLOUNT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 5:30 AM Subject: RE: TNBLOUNT-D Digest V99 #143 > First, I would like to say this is a genealogical list. I found something > that I thought was interesting, and is legit, so I thought I would pass it > on. > One day OUR descendants will be reveiwing our census records. To find out > about us, and our heritage. > Secondly, I do not appreciate the insult of the Aryan nations thing. Totally > unfounded. What do they have to do with Southerners or our unique culture? > NOTHING. They are found mainly in the NORTHWEST, NOT the South. Southerners > are a people of COLOR. > Please put on the census, what best describes your ethnicity, your culture, > but don't basely insult me because I shared an idea that you disagree with. > > May GOD bless each of you!!! > > ----------------------------------------------- > FREE! The World's Best Email Address @email.com > Reserve your name now at http://www.email.com > > >