A great many Southerners- including the people of this area-knew quite well what it was to be an occupied nation after the war. I cosider it an utter tragedy that the South did not win its independence. A friend and SCV member once made a comment, "the last real President his country had was Jefferson Davis"- a sentiment I heartily echo and that is shared by many of the descendents of Confederate veterans. A great many of our people- including several back here feel that way. The North exploited the South after the war. The North was the enemy of our culture and religion in 1861 and the Northeast is the enemy of it today. If Southern people do not want unrestricted abortion, gun control affirmative action, gay rights, and the lot- we have the right and duty to say no. The Yankees and their courts would willingly force these things on the South if they had their way. Just as my ancestors were- I am an old fashioned Southern Populist Conservative. Far from leaving the country- I have every desire to stay and fight the Yankees and Liberals. Southwest Virginia was loyal to the South during the war and the majority of our people are still so today.