I agree, Linda. Just as people have no business trying to take credit for the achievements of their long-dead ancestors, neither should they beat themselves up "for the sins of their fathers," as the Good Book says. History is what it is, nothing more, nothing less.

That especially holds true when viewing our Civil War ancestors. Men in the southern and border states were forced to take sides. Neutrality was not an option. If the conscription officer didn't get you, then local authorities, neighbors, or "friends" would. A southern sympathizer in Missouri, or a loyalist in Arkansas, both were subjected to unimaginable pressure -- including threat of death -- to pick one side or the other. We have no right to judge those poor men's choices.