Fake Scots Titles

[tripleblessed]

As I said, NO implication that there weren't mobs. War places men on all sides in untenable situations, and horrendous things happen. It serves no one to pretend that "our" side is blameless, whichever side is "ours". When the folk on the other side are neighbors and relatives, it can get personal and mean even
quicker. In war, as in all of life, we do the best we can in the moment based
on the best information available, but our best is often out of reach, and we are frequently impaired by misinformation and over-amped emotions. Kind of like the forum, at times.

Which occasionally leads some to feel inadequate, leading to the belief that a
title might be just the thing to get respect back, or that needed bucks can be
gained with a little "harmless" scam... Back on track?

[macwilkin]

As I said, NO implication that there weren't mobs. War places men on all sides in untenable situations, and horrendous things happen. It serves no one to pretend that "our" side is blameless, whichever side is "ours". When the folk on the other side are neighbors and relatives, it can get personal and mean even
quicker. In war, as in all of life, we do the best we can in the moment based
on the best information available, but our best is often out of reach, and we are frequently impaired by misinformation and over-amped emotions. Kind of like the forum, at times.

Which occasionally leads some to feel inadequate, leading to the belief that a
title might be just the thing to get respect back, or that needed bucks can be
gained with a little "harmless" scam... Back on track?

Your post reminded me of this quote:

The fact of the matter is that war changes men's natures. The barbarities of war are seldom committed by abnormal men. The tragedy of war is that these horrors are committed by normal men in abnormal situations. Situations in which the ebb and flow of everyday life have departed and have been replaced by a constant round of fear and anger, blood and death.

-- Major J.F. Thomas in "Breaker Morant"

[auld argonian]

Hence the very scary phrase, "the banality of evil"?

Best

AA

[Detroitpete]

Your post reminded me of this quote:

The fact of the matter is that war changes men's natures. The barbarities of war are seldom committed by abnormal men. The tragedy of war is that these horrors are committed by normal men in abnormal situations. Situations in which the ebb and flow of everyday life have departed and have been replaced by a constant round of fear and anger, blood and death.

-- Major J.F. Thomas in "Breaker Morant"

Todd, I'm always very thankful of the depth of your historical knowledge, and expecially the objectivity by which you present it. Thanks!

The quote above reminds me of a few chats we had during my time in combat. I distress at the number of times we used to say--concerning all sides, 'it should never be this easy to turn young men into savages'. More sadly yet, we knew we were most definitely not the first to say this.

I appologize for the slight detour/hijack--back to your regualrly scheduled discussion regarding false peerage titles.

[macwilkin]

Todd, I'm always very thankful of the depth of your historical knowledge, and expecially the objectivity by which you present it. Thanks!

The quote above reminds me of a few chats we had during my time in combat. I distress at the number of times we used to say--concerning all sides, 'it should never be this easy to turn young men into savages'. More sadly yet, we knew we were most definitely not the first to say this.

I appologize for the slight detour/hijack--back to your regualrly scheduled discussion regarding false peerage titles.

And I thank you, sir for your kind words. I have taken this detour to PM to bring the thread back on track. Mea culpa.

T.

[thescot]

Good to have Todd et al around.

"It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it." Robert E. Lee

Mea maxima culpa.

As you were. How 'bout them titles!

Jim, of that ilk

[Morris at Heathfield]

I never denied Loyalist atrocities; however the "Patriot myth" of the Revolution frequently vilifies "Tories" to the point of hyperbole; I call it the "Star Wars Syndrome". The average Loyalist (or for that matter, British regular) was not an Imperial Stormtrooper.

Are you quite sure about that?:

FIRST TROOPER: Do you know what's going on?

SECOND TROOPER: Maybe it's another drill.

FIRST TROOPER: Have you seen that new BT-16?

SECOND TROOPER: Yeah, some of the other guys were telling me about it. They say it's, it's quite the thing to see ... What was that?

FIRST TROOPER: That's nothing. Outgassing. Don't worry about it.

Regarding the subject of this thread (and American titles in specific), I would like to point out that it was only in the United States that Joshua Abraham Norton was able to attain a noble title.

[tripleblessed]

Happy to see Breaker Morant remembered, Todd and Downunder.

[macwilkin]

Are you quite sure about that?:



Regarding the subject of this thread (and American titles in specific), I would like to point out that it was only in the United States that Joshua Abraham Norton was able to attain a noble title.

Sorry, but your attempt at humour failed with me. I guess I don't get your Star Wars reference.

T.

[Morris at Heathfield]

I only meant to point out that even the Imperial Stormtroopers in Star Wars, like British regulars, are mostly just ordinary guys trying to do their jobs. In fact, I believe we have at least one "Imperial Stormtrooper" on the forums.

I'm not disagreeing at all with your defense of Tories and redcoats. I have some ancestors who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and some who I suspect were, if not active Tories, at least had loyalist sympathies. Many of them migrated north across the St. Lawrence after the war.