Month: September 2019

Descendant of slaveholders, confederate apologist (= Traitor to the USA), and very likely racist asshole, Edward Dickinson Tayloe II, is trying to silence accurate historical information about his ancestors. Go read Ed’s fine article for the details.

A descendant of one of the Virginia’s largest slaveowners and most prominent families is suing a newspaper and a history professor for accurately […]

Source: Charlottesville Descendant of Slave Owners Sues for Libel Over True Report | Ed Brayton

PZ nails it.

Here’s what I think is going on. He’s dug himself into a deep hole with his record of saying stupid things, and he doesn’t see a way out, because ultimately he still thinks he was totally right about everything, and trying to defend himself would involve making more stupid statements. There aren’t any misunderstandings, we all understand perfectly well what he was saying, we just think he’s wrong. And he’s sort of aware that trying to change our mind about that would require reaffirming many of his previous stances, yet he’s a smart guy who knows the wind is blowing in a new direction, so he’s just going to get more dissent.

He’s dug this hole, so now he’s going to just sit in it and tell everyone they’re poopyheads who don’t understand him. That’s fine. Go right ahead. I think rms has found the right position for himself at last.

Source: rms resigns