Are politicians in Washington any more benign today or for that matter is govt anywhere today more benign than in times past? I think this brings up a good point. However, the reason that some societies are more benign than others is because their economies produce comfort. Even our poor afford ent...

YES! Josey Wales! "Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?" The movie's full of great lines! Man, now I want to watch it. My Brother, Dad, and I sometimes just sit around and quote from our favorite movies. Oh man, there's another great line from "For a Fistful of Dollars." Clint rides i...

How about "The Outlaw Josey Wales"? Eastwood always has great lines, but one line stands out from that movie. It's been a long time since I saw it and I can't remember quite how the question was worded: When asked if or why he wasn't going to bury someones body, Josey said, "Buzzards' gotta eat, sam...

I'm sure someone knows this.

Is it true that the first federal income tax wasn't legislated until the Civil War? Did the federal government impose any sort of tax? What about the individual states?

I'm trying to understand how American government was funded in its early years.

Guys, I'm kinda sorry I introduced myself with a post like that. I'm no elite snob. I've been arrested and jailed for some time, if that tells you anything. A lot of my opinions and beliefs come from that experience. I don't think what I did (possession of drug 'residue') should be a crime in itself...

Okay, guys, I just enjoy debate. I am truly open to quality arguments. I'm really just trying to have a discussion without all of the "you are ignorant" or "you don't know what you're talking about", or "you're oblivious" statements. I interpret those things as "I don't like what you said." If you s...

Yes....Sherman hee-hee. Hmm cant recall if he was in fact a southener (like Gen Thomas), but did you know his home was in the south at Louisiana? His responses, when questioned by southern paper men, whether his actions were that of a, 'christian' are interesting. Like Grant, he was an Ohioan. In t...

It seems to me that from looking way back then the CSA acted on their right to rebellion, same as the 13 colonies had done no so very long before. It was perfectly within their rights to rebel, so long as they could keep their freedom by resisting the unionist governments attempts to bring them bac...

Okay, this is my first post, although I've been monitoring these forums for several months, now. I secretly fantasize about being a brilliant, charismatic general, but since playing the game for hours, I’ve thought a lot about history and political philosophy, so I’ve started this thread. Some of yo...