Myopic History

Reihl World View is looking at the lefty blogs reaction to Rep. Ted Poe quoting Confederate cavalry general Nathan Bedford Forrest:

To make a point, the Texas Republican invoked the words of Civil War Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest: “Git thar fustest with the mostest.”

Incidentally, that is a misquote of "Get there first with the most men."

Of course, Forrest's post civil war affiliations with the KKK are what is getting the attention, and the fact that a Republican quoted such an individual. (Never mind the Democratic Party has a much more recent member serving in the Senate right now.)

Forrest also happens to be one of the, if not the, greatest cavalry officer in American history. The quote in question is perhaps his most famous and is absolutely true. It's only common sense that the force that arrives first, and therefore can choose advantageous ground, and brings the most to the table, will have a distinct advantage. That Forrest went on to belong to the KKK does not detract from that truth one iota.

Using the quote is not an endorsement of the KKK, it is an endorsement of sound military strategy.

Duh.

UPDATE: Here's a link to the original lefty post. Funny. Here's my favorite comment from the thread:

This jerk and his disgusting vulgarity should be censured. What’s next? “President” Bush quoting Hitler?

I thought Bush was Hitler.

Just for shits and giggles, here's some links to said lefty quoting or defending Senator Robert Byrd, who, as we all know, was also a member of the KKK. Which all makes this sentence all the more hilarious:

Do Republicans just not care about the company they keep?