Jury awards $2.5 million to teen beaten by Klan members

I thought the civil war was started because new states were being created and the south wanted there to be slavery in those new states also, the north did not. the north would then have to compete industrially with a much lower labour rate.

"The civil war wasn't about slavery"? "The emancipation proclamation never freed any slaves"? These are the remarks of someone still trying to defend the grand old south and the confederacy. Clearly, at this point in history the slave issue was the overriding concern of the civil war. The south was willing to leave the union to keep slaves and the north was not willing to allow the south to leave the union.

I have deep suspicion of any one who would attempt to rewrite history in defense of the racist south. This is something the KKK would do. .

That's not what I said, and if you could read you would know that. The civil war was about STATES RIGHTS you seem to think that I thought that Lincoln was a racist. I never ever said that. I just said he wasn't elected with the intention of abolishing slavery. He thought it was a state right, like he says in his speeches. He fought against it in his state and thought it was morally wrong. I didn't argue with you there, but if you are to understand history you have to know that Lincoln wasn't trying to abolish slavery in all the states, the civil war wasn't about slavery, and the emancipation proclamation never freed any slaves. The fact that you assume that that's where I got my information is just showing how you keep making assumptions about me. I am showing you proof, but you keep saying I'm wrong. You are so stubborn...I don't even know if arguing with you is worth it, you seemed to come off as someone who I could have an intellectual conversation with, and could admit when they were wrong, but alas I guess I was the wrong one there. GROW UP, you're what 40? Every argument you make, every time you put words in my mouth you are using some fallacy. Look them up, maybe you'll realize what I'm saying. READ WHAT I SAY, because it's insulting for you to say things that I apparently said, you put words in my mouth that I know are wrong...I'm sick of this. Admit you are wrong. Just admit it.

Read this Amberaa, this is where your so called educated view of Lincoln comes from , angry racist authors!!! Revisionists. Read the whole thing and learn the truth.

unable to forget that, with malignant heart, and deceitful speech, they have strove to hinder it."

On April 11, 1865 Lincoln delivered an address in which he became the first president to advocate extending voting rights to African-Americans who fought for the Union when he stated, "It is also unsatisfactory to some that the elective franchise is not given to the colored man. I would myself prefer that it were now conferred on the very intelligent, and on those who serve our cause as soldiers." By this statement, Lincoln indicated his belief that African-Americans should have full political equality. In the crowd that day, an intently listening fellow named John Wilkes Booth commented to those around him, "That is the last speech he will ever make." And so it was. (Information Source: The Lincoln Museum Web Site)

To apply 20th century beliefs and standards to an America of 1858 and declare Abraham Lincoln a "racist" is a faulty formula that unfairly distorts Lincoln's true role in advancing civil and human rights. By the standards of his time, Lincoln's views on race and equality were progressive and truly changed minds, policy and most importantly, hearts for years to come.

Other major works by Lerone Bennett:

Is What Bennett Alleges True?
Had he not been assassinated just 10 days after the end of the Civil War, would Lincoln have tried to carry out the black exportation plans purported by Bennett? Was Abraham Lincoln actually a racist?

Remember that Lincoln entered the political arena in the late 1850s when a view of slavery as an assault on human rights was still a brand new and not widely held concept. For most of their youths, Lincoln and his contemporaries would have encountered the slave as nothing more than the "somebody" who did the "dirty" jobs of those days.

Many Lincoln researchers do acknowledge what would, today, be considered "racist" overtones in Lincoln's early political life. On Oct. 13, 1858, during his famed debates with Judge Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln spoke to what he considered to be basic black and white racial differences "which, in my [Lincoln's] judgment, will probably forever forbid their [blacks] living together on the footing of perfect equality."

In the same speech, Lincoln states, "I agree with Judge Douglas that he [a black] is not my equal in many respects, certainly not in color — perhaps not in intellectual and moral endowments; but in the right to eat the bread without leave of anybody else which his own hand earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every other man." In this statement, despite his reference to differences in "intellectual and moral endowments," Lincoln shows his belief that both black and white were entitled to equal rights and protection under the Constitution. (Source: The Founder's Library - Lincoln-Douglas Debates)

As President, Lincoln's struggle to end the Civil War and preserve the nation left him deeply sympathetic to the plight of the slaves and increased his belief in the need for racial equality in America.

After seeing over 200,000 African-Americans volunteer and fight alongside Union forces, Lincoln dropped his support for plans to colonize freed slaves to Africa after the Civil War. In an 1863 speech, Lincoln stated, "there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation, while, I fear, there will be some white one

close friend of Lincoln, is quoted by Bennett as saying the proclamation was "not the end designed by him (Lincoln), but only the means to the end, the end being the deportation of the slaves and the payment for them to their masters - at least to those who were loyal."

Bennett asserts that Lincoln often put forth plans for deporting the slaves to Africa both before and during his presidency.

The tone of Forced Into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream is decidedly angry, as if Bennett feels betrayed by what he calls the "myth" of Abraham Lincoln.

"No other American story is so enduring. No other American story is so comforting. No other American story is so false." -- Lerone Bennett, Forced Into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream.

Next page > Could Bennett's Claims

This excerpt is from a book review, a review of a book by an African American who claims that Lincoln was indeed racist. His name is Lerone Bennett, and it seems that real Historians tak issue with his view.In his new book, Forced Into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream, black American author, Lerone Bennett, presents historic evidence supporting the theory that Abraham Lincoln was, in fact, a devoted racist harboring a life-long desire to see all black Americans deported to Africa.

Bennett suggests that as a young politician in Illinois, Lincoln regularly used racial slurs in speeches, told racial jokes to his black servants, and vocally opposed any new laws that would have bettered the lives of black Americans.

Key to Bennett's thesis is the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation which, Bennett argues, Lincoln was forced into issuing by the powerful abolitionist wing of his own party. Bennett asserts that Lincoln carefully worded the document to apply only to the rebel Southern states, which were not under Union control at the time, thus resulting in an Emancipation Proclamation that did not in itself free a single slave.

At one point, Bennett quotes William Henry Seward, Lincoln's secretary of state, who referred to the proclamation as a hollow, meaningless document showing no more than, "our sympathy with the slaves by emancipating the slaves where we cannot reach them and holding them in bondage where we can set them free."

Henry Clay Whitney, a close friend of Lincoln, is quoted by

Most educated people know Lincoln was a racist??? Tabloid historians maybe, Liberal think tank a holes. Read the written record. You revisionist. Don't act so smug BTW. You are wrong also.Blkwidow.

The inaugural speech thing is old hat. It is one speech out of many. Like every politician he was running for office. Like your savior Obama Lincoln said things contrary to his beliefs to get elected. That is why I said, go back many years and read his writings and speeches.Many years before he even considered running for office he spoke out against slavery, and social injustice.

Thank you Nobama Jon
For what?
I don't know

Moving on. It's interesting that an all white jury in Kentucky would rule against the klan. Maybe America really is changing for the better. I wonder how long till the revolt from losing "their" America?

Thank You amberaa, I haven't the energy or the time to argue with nobamajon, you know its a waste of time.The point is the clan is bred on hate and fear has nothing to do with a political party that is irrelevant and yes Abraham Lincoln was a racist and most educated people know this nuff said, he had his own agenda and if the freeing of enslaved stolen Africans wasn't in his best interest it would have never happen under his administration.

nobamajon I'm about to blow your mind...

"I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."

Straight from Lincoln himself on his first inaugural speech...

Distorting American History...I think not.

I am reading. And I'll stop arguing with you on those issues. I don't know what makes me a bigot. A child couldn't see that. And I have never, ever in my entire life said that Republicans are the KKK, so stop lumping me in with other people that said something. My logic isn't flawed. It's the truth. The civil war wasn't about slavery, it was about States Rights. How the south had no states rights, even if they were wrong, that's what it was about. And I know for a fact, that even if Lincoln was against Slavery, voted against it in his state, he didn't win the Presidency saying he would abolish it. You keep bringing it back to that because you just want to keep repeating that democrats started the KKK. I'm getting the idea that you aren't very smart from your spelling and arguing skills. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. In every post I told you I want to talk about how this is an issue of Religion, but you keep bringing it back to Republicans and Democrats. If you wanted to go with that then we could talk about how the civil rights movement was supported by LBJ, a democrat born in poverty worked his way up from being a school teacher to the President of the United States, and how he gave us some of the greatest equality for not only races, but people of all classes. But I'm not going to argue that, because I'm going to say that if a Republican was in office and saw the outcry of the American people he would have done the same thing....

Angry? No I am just amazed how our history is being lost. You are so wrong. So leave parties out of it. I don't care. I have just heard constantly for three months here that Republicans are the KKK. and this is wrong. Your logic(as you put it) is flawed, and BTW you are a bigot. A child could see that, so...please save it. The rank and file KKK member is probably a Democrat as is their leaders. But who cares what the article was originally about know anyway???We have crossed into another land, the Land where revisionist history runs smack dab into reality. So...read Lincolns speech, It can't hurt you.

Abraham Lincoln Peoria speech - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abraham Lincoln's Peoria speech was made in Peoria, Illinois on October 16, 1854. The speech, with its specific arguments against slavery, was an important step in Abraham Lincoln's political ascension.
Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_Peoria_speech - Cached Read the speech, he was just a Illinois lawyer. This speech shows you to be wrong about LIncoln. This was 7 years before the war.

It isn't how it is, or was, you are wrong. Just look up some of his speeches up on the net. He came from humble beginnings his father never owned slaves and neither did he. You are filled with Liberal hate speech, and your history books don't impress me. I doubt. if they even say what you do, but if they do ,they were written by Ward Churchill or some other Wacko.

I'm not disrespecting Lincoln's memory, I'm just telling you how it is. Lincoln couldn't sleep at night for a number of reasons. And I think I trust my history books, my history teachers, and the AP exam 5 I got when I wrote about this issue. Even the Emancipation Proclamation never freed slaves. The entire civil war was never about Slavery, for the reasons I've told you. You could wikipedia the civil war if you wanted a clear short answer to your questionable memory. You've never posted his speeches before...Again, this wasn't about Republicans or Democrats, it was an issue of equality and religion...

Oh Aberaa, read some of Lincolns writings or speeches!!!! 10-15 years before the CIVIL WAR he was the only one speaking out. He said that Slavery was the worst thing man ever did. He said he couldn't sleep at night for the pain he felt for the Negro. How it was inhumain. Need me to post on of the speech's again???????? You are REALLY wrong, and I have all day if necessary. You believe what some liar has told you. This shows your ignorance of American history. Even worse you are disrespecting LINCOLN'S MEMORY.

Lincoln WASN'T interested in racism. Anyone who made it to high school American history knows that. THe civil war wasn't about slavery it was about the south having no representation in the United States, therefore their want to leave the Union. Slavery was the dispute that helped fuel the fire. You don't know what you are talking about. This isn't about Republicans or Democrats. This is CHRISTIAN fundamentalism. Evangelists (who even you know vote Republican, even though it's beside the point) that beat a young kid because they are bigots. Stop turning this into a Right Left issue. There are so many more important things.

And as a side note I mailed this to you in response to your article about the Somalian Girl who was stoned to death, you were arguing against Islam, I was just pointing out that religion is only the excuse. I wasn't trying to make this partisan...

I could post all day on this matter, but filling up your article with the indisputable truth that the KKK is primarily southern Democrats isn't necessary. It's a no brainer for anyone who paid attention in History class. The problem stems from your young voters, who for some reason believe that Republicans are the KKK. Now, this is ignorance, they have been taught revisionist history at the countries expense, bot figuratively and literally. Every time one of them try's to push this BS off as truth I will post more!!! Lincoln himself reconstructed the Republican party from the Whigs, just to fight RACISM, this has been a Republican theme for 150 years, and the Dems. aren't going to change history, not while I still breath!!!!NO THEY WERE CHRISTIAN LEFTS!!! THE GRAND WIZARD IS A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT!!!! YOU MADE IT A PARTISAN ISSUE MY MAILING ME THE ARTICLE< DON"T LIE AMB____. LOSING IS NOT AN OPTION FOR YOU. BUT OH WELL.ALSO WE ARE MORE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS THAN WE WERE 150 YEARS AGO!!!! YOU ARE THE DISILLUSIONED ONE, YOU BELIEVE TOO MUCH HARD LEFT BULLSHIT!!
P.S. THEIR RELIGION HAD NOTHING TO DOO WITH THIS RACIST CRIME. ANYMORE THAN GOOD MUSLIMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTS OF A FEW FUNDAMENTAL WACK JOBS. YOU ARE A BIGOT!! BUT NO INSULT MEANT< IT IS JUST A FACT < THAT YOU DO HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE.CHRISTIANS BUILT THE MODERN WORLD< GET OVER YOUR HATE. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED ALL RELIGION IS FOE WEAK PEOPLE WHO NEED SOMETHING TO HELP THEM FROM NUTTING UP. I AM NOT RELIGIOUS, I DON"T GO TO CHURCH< BUT, I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A CREATOR, WHO KNOWS HIS NAME< NOT I.

You're missing the point...This isn't a democrat republican issue. You have established that the Klan was founded by democrats (and just as a side note you're delusional if you think that democrats and republicans are anything like they were 150 YEARS ago). This is a group of Christian rights that thought that kid was an illegal immigrant and because of it they thought he deserved to be beaten. Just showing that Christianity can do horrible acts of violence just like any other religion.

The Long, Sad, Violent History of Democrats' Racial Hatred for Blacks
And speaking of the Klan, remember the great Democrat President Woodrow Wilson? After a screening of D.W. Griffith's paean to the Ku Klux Klan, ...
www.tysknews.com/Depts/pcism/sad_history.htm - 17k - Cached - Similar pagesDigg - Video: Congressman Quotes KKK Grand Wizard On House Floor
Hey come to think of it, the KKK members were almost totaly democrats at the time. ... KKK member runs for Senate as Democrat. Democrats: Lets put him into ...
digg.com/.../Video_Congressman_Quotes_KKK_Grand_Wizard_On_House_Floor -

Ku Klux Klan ronald edwards Endorses Obama
holy doo-doo
Ku Klux Klan Endorses Obama - BOARD OF LEGEND

Ku Klux Klan Endorses Obama

KKK members in Tennessee rally against Hillary Clinton and support Barack Obama

Imperial Wizard, Ronald Edwards has stated that, "anything is better than H h h illary Clint on."

White Christian Supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan has endorsed Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States of America.

Speaking from his Kentucky office in Dawson Springs, the Imperial Wizard exclaimed that anything or anyone is better than having that "crazy ass ####################" as President.

This is the first time in Klan history that any member of the KKK has ever publicly supported an African American candidate for the presidency.

KKK lodges all over America have been gathering and holding rallies supporting the black presidential candidate.

Grand Turk Cletus Monroe has also been very vocal about the election and has donated thousands of dollars to Obama's election fund.

"The boy's gonna do it. My Klan group has donated up to $250,000 to the Obama fund. Anything is better than Hillary Clinton. Hell I'll even adopt a black kid from Africa before I vote for Hillary."

How can the Klan even still operate? Aren't they clearly a terrorist organization? Democrats once again show that they can skirt almost any law. The Wizard is a loyal Democrat before he is a Racist though. I would think the Dems would clean up their own house though, rather than try and say Republicans are the Klan. Anyone who went at least third grade knows that Democrats founded the KKK, have maintained the KKK, and the primary members of the KKK, Like Robert KKK Bird a sitting Senator. Have you learned anything yet? BTW I think the Feds. could make a case to disband the KKK. This kind on thing is wrong.

It's good to see justice being played out in Kentucky and in America. There truly is no place for the hatred and bigotry touted by the Klan, who is merely the crown of thorns being forced on the heads of liberty and civil rights in this, our America...