Many conservative pundits are up in arms over MSNBC host Chris Matthews calling West Point the “enemy camp.” However, what has been ignored is the impact on the status of Gen. Benedict Arnold.
In the video below, Matthews was observing that Obama was not getting the warmest of receptions from the cadets at West Point and was questioning the choice of venues. He observed that Obama “went to maybe the enemy camp tonight.”
Putting aside that Matthews was simply noting that the academy is generally viewed as a conservative forum, the historical implications could not be missed. If West Point is the enemy camp, then Arnold was not committing an act of treason but patriotism in seeking to undermine its defenses. Forget Chris, who will right the wrong to Arnold.
Remember that episode of the Brady Bunch where Peter is going to play Benedict Arnold in the school play and suddenly all his classmates start calling him “traitor”?
Vince,
This is a way to remember things such as this. Arnold for some reason I recall was singled out as he fell victim to obeying a command. The issue became whose command was he following. Is not West Point a place commemorated in History? And Why so?
Any Arnold fans out there should seek out or look at amazon.com reviews of the 1940 novel “Oliver Wiswell” by Kenneth Roberts in libraries or second hand sources.
It makes Arnold the hero of the Revolution, and portrays the loyalists as the true American heroes. The patriots are described as a bunch of thugs.
For 600 pages.
It really offended a lot of Americans when it was written.
Nal, Arnold was in fact the real hero of the Battle of Saratoga.
His leg was wounded permanently in the battle, and it never fully healed.
After his treason, they asked Washington what he would do if Arnold were captured:
“Bury his wounded leg with full military honors.
“Hang the rest of him.”
Mespo,
I’m sorry to confess that my knowledge of the Civil War is extremely limited; due entirely to my disgust with the imbecilic mindset responsible for it and the disgusting fact that race was used as a barrier to equality up until the 1960’s. Thus the reason you’ll hear me repeatedly claim that “mankind has not evolved an inch from the slime that spawned him.”
The Revolutionary war, on the other hand, is a moving metaphor for the a constitution willing itself to be born; at least the executive and legislative branches.
Per treason, as you’ve probably read my thoughts on the topic before, is the ninth level of hell (treason to benefactor) for a good reason. Whatever his motive, had Arnold succeeded in his plot with Andre to replace a link in the chain, crossing the Hudson and protecting West Point, with a piece of rope and succeeded in sending most of his men away from the fort for the night, the war would most likely have been lost and we’d probably would never have even heard of a Declaration of Independence — much less a Constitution founded upon any of its principles.
I never had a truly deep respect for Washington until I read about his decision to hang Andre instead of allowing him an officer’s death by firing squad; despite the pleas by his closest aides — Hamilton and Talmadge.
But I digress.
Bob,Esq:
Curious that a hero like Arnold would dishonor his cause over petty jealousy or slight. It stands in stark contrast to something I just read about one of my favorite historical moments when Joshua Chamberlain led his 20th Maine against the 15th Alabama at Little Round Top. That skirmish could very well have decided the outcome of the battle, and perhaps the war itself, since losing that strategic height would have turned the tide in Lee’s favor, and thus proven he could attack rather than merely defend. In any event 50 years after the battle, Chamberlain received a letter from a surviving member of the 15th Alabama which recounted the then young man’s two opportunities to take an unfettered musket shot at Chamberlain as he led the famous charge. According to the letter, a strange “queer notion” twice stopped the Southerner from taking the fateful shot that could have changed the War. One man’s famous treason makes him a national pariah; another’s silent unfaithfulness in battle likely preserved the Republic. Humans are curious beings, indeed, and the unintended consequences of their actions are astounding.
He did apologise tonight like a man.. It was a kerfuffle he took ownership of it..
IIRC, “Lazy Sunday” has a funny Hamilton namecheck.
“If West Point is the enemy camp, then Arnold was not committing an act of treason but patriotism in seeking to undermine its defenses. Forget Chris, who will right the wrong to Arnold.”
Actually, Arnold did commit treason; evidenced by the hanging of Maj. John Andre and the renaming of the fort from “Fort Arnold” to “West Point.”
This is off topic, but it’s probably the coolest and only rap song about Alexander Hamilton.
I promise. For you rap doubters, it’s art.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNFf7nMIGnE&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Thank you nal. Somebody else must have read what I seem to recall.
Benedict Arnold was the real hero at Saratoga. If he had gotten the recognition he deserved, history may have turned out a lot differently for him.
So, was his right wing brother one of those whining about his choice of words?
Hey now, Gen. Geo was going to bring him back into the fold. I have not read every book in publication. However, I do remember one in which Arnold was not an enemy but in dispute over the tactics to be used. He was also working for Washington when he seemed to have his problems.
And Jimmy Carter will eventually be remembered as the best president we have ever had.
Although I guess it would technically be Eggs Chris, wouldn’t it?
All I have to say is I’ve never been to a restaurant with Eggs Matthews on the menu.
“Forget Chris, who will right the wrong to Arnold.”
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Sarah Palin