A.G. Gancarski
During his Friday night keynote speech in Greensboro at the North Carolina Republican Party State Convention, Ron DeSantis pledged to bring back a controversial name to an in-state military base.
The Governor said he looked forward “to as President restoring the name of Fort Bragg to our great military base in Fayetteville, North Carolina.”
“And thank the people that have served there. And they’re proud of their service there. It’s an iconic name and iconic base. We’re not going to let political correctness run amok in North Carolina,” DeSantis said to cheers.
Fort Bragg was renamed “Fort Liberty” earlier this month, on the recommendation of the Department of Defense‘s Commission on the Naming of Items. The goal was changing names of facilities “that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America.”
DeSantis’ vow to restore the confederate name to the fort comes on a day when President Joe Biden visited the fort to announce plans to help military spouses.
The installation’s former name honors Gen. Braxton Bragg, a North Carolinian, who was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles that contributed to the Confederacy’s downfall.
A native of Warrenton, North Carolina, Bragg was in his position until 1863, when after a defeat at Chattanooga, he was removed from that lead role at his request and became a military advisor for Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Despite his relegation, he would go on to be the on-the-scene commander during Confederate defeats throughout the war, including a failed attempt to protect the port in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Rather than lead protection of the port, Bragg stayed behind at the fort away from the fray, to the consternation of the fort’s commander.
Beset by interpersonal conflicts throughout the war, the defeated Confederate would seem to be a poor namesake for an American fort in the 21st Century. However, as President, DeSantis would restore that ignominious name to glory.
The renaming of the base was part of a broader effort by the U.S. military to confront racial injustice in the aftermath of the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. An independent commission last year recommended new names for Bragg and eight other Army posts that commemorate Confederate officers.
The installation is the largest U.S. Army base by population, with roughly 47,000 active-duty soldiers. The recent renaming didn’t play a role in selecting the base to serve as a backdrop for Biden to announce his executive order, according to an administration official who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
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Material from the Associated Press was used in this story.
38 comments
WhatNow
June 9, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Anybody who truly believes that DeSantis would somehow be an asset to the United States as its president is living in some sort of bizarre fantasy land. Perhaps he should step down as governor of Florida, don a Confederate Army uniform and just stick to pretending he’s a Confederate soldier in Civil War re-enactments as his day job.
Dont Say FLA
June 10, 2023 at 10:34 am
Rhonda is 3/5 qualified to be an asset.
Tom
June 11, 2023 at 9:50 am
Failed confederate leader? Let’s skip Fort Bragg and call it Fort DeSantis. Same difference near as I can tell.
Peggy
June 9, 2023 at 8:45 pm
So he sides with traitors who waged a war against the United States?
Got it.
Dont Say FLA
June 10, 2023 at 9:37 am
Twice now
PeterH
June 9, 2023 at 9:03 pm
Sucking up to MAGA racist is imbedded in the agenda of Republican presidential candidates.
Dr. Franklin Waters
June 9, 2023 at 9:10 pm
This is what pandering to the lowest common denominator looks like
Earl Pitts American
June 9, 2023 at 9:12 pm
Well, hot dog! Ain’t it a hoot that we still got folks runnin’ ’round flyin’ them Confederate flags like it’s the Fourth of July? Now, I reckon I ain’t no fancy city slicker, but I gotta say, clingin’ to that ol’ Confederacy is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine!
I mean, seriously, y’all. What exactly are y’all celebratin’? Losin’ a war? Now, I ain’t one to kick a dog when it’s down, but darlin’, the Confederacy bit the dust faster than a cowboy at a rodeo. They had a little hissy fit and thought they could break off from the good ol’ US of A, but Uncle Sam had other plans, bless his heart.
And let’s talk about that Confederate flag. Some folks claim it’s all about heritage, not hate. Well, I reckon that’s like sayin’ a skunk smells like roses. That flag might as well be a big ol’ sign sayin’, “I’m stuck in the past, and I ain’t movin’.” Honey, it’s 2023, and we need to be movin’ forward, not clingin’ to symbols of division and oppression.
So, my advice to all them Confederate flag-wavin’ folks is to tuck that flag away in your attic next to the cobwebs and your grandpappy’s chewin’ tobacco. It’s time to let go of the past and focus on buildin’ a future where we can all come together, regardless of the color of our skin or the state we call home. Y’all hear me now?
Earl Pitts American
Dont Say FLA
June 10, 2023 at 10:35 am
Nobody believes you’re Earl. Also, your Southern tropes are not funny. And you’re ugly. And your wife dresses you funny. Those white boots. Oh my!
US Grant, the best general of the Civil War!
June 10, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Love it and you hit the nail perfectly!
Stu Davis
June 11, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Wrong.
PeterH
June 9, 2023 at 10:21 pm
The only reason DeSantis is not driving the 2024 Republican Klown Kar is the fact he’s not yet a convicted felon.
Cunt Casey & Ron Hate The Military
June 10, 2023 at 6:43 am
So smart and smarmy to walk in to another state as a guest and declare:
‘Your military base is gross and shameful AND ONLY I CAN FIX IT!’
Cunt.
Michael K
June 10, 2023 at 7:36 am
Ron wants to rebuild the confederacy. Wink wink. Drag us all back to the 1950s. Wink wink.
I’d love to see Ron stand in front of a Black church congregation and talk about his vision for America.
Impeach Biden
June 10, 2023 at 8:27 am
I know. Those black folks would prefer Kamala standing there and telling her “fweedom” story with her best Southern Evangelical accent. I love it when those white democrats do it at those functions and in front of the NAACP.
Dont Say FLA
June 10, 2023 at 10:36 am
The IBS Index is here with an attempted change of subject that only points out another great comment. Thank you, IBS!
Shay
June 10, 2023 at 11:07 am
What???
Elliott Offen
June 11, 2023 at 9:17 am
You gonna burn in hell buddy 🔥
Matt
June 10, 2023 at 9:03 am
So, he is proposing to cancel ‘Liberty?’ That would be a consistent move to expand on his cancellations of freedom in Florida.
Impeach Biden
June 10, 2023 at 9:37 am
For years no one probably even knew who Bragg was. What you have out there now are a bunch of youngsters armed with cell phones and google search engines. Every name and statue they come across they look up the past history of that individual and they want it torn down if they don’t its past. Reminds me of Lee Circle in New Orleans. A favorite gathering point of primarily black folks for Mardi Gras year after year. I bet you I could have taken sample sizes of African Americans, walked them up to that statue and ask them who that is. I bet nearly 100% wouldn’t have a clue, but then came the cell phone mafia and now that statue is gone. Truly sad erasing history.
Dont Say FLA
June 10, 2023 at 10:06 am
Well sucks, IBS wants to talk about Mardi Gras. Matt must have made a good point. You know somebody made a good point when IBS tries changing the subject. IBS is an index. See their name, look up for a good point.
Impeach Biden
June 10, 2023 at 10:14 am
Just an example for you displaced Kalifornian or New York or Illinois whatever liberal enclave you came from. Many more out there as you and the cell phone mafia continue your quest to eliminate history
Dont Say FLA
June 10, 2023 at 10:39 am
Be a leader among men and take action, IBS. Get rid of your cell phone today. Show us all how it’s done. We can find good points without your indexing them for us, but we appreciate your effort. Best wishes on your new life with no phone!
White Powerless And Dying Off In Jails
June 10, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Cunt Christian you goof on CA and NY but when you White losers need a credit card (always) a car loan or a mortgage you run to us (NYers) that own your banking system.
You’d pull up your own bootstraps but your shit kickers still have 7 more payments til they belong to you…
Stephanie
June 10, 2023 at 11:10 am
Changing a name doesn’t erase history.
Dont Say FLA
June 11, 2023 at 9:55 am
Bingo. Banning books and history lessons, that’s how you erase history.
Changing names so white supremacist losers are no longer given honorifics, that is just setting the record straight. Losers shouldn’t be honored.
When losers are honored, then you get Nazis on parade outside Disney World. My goodness I hope no children saw them.
Or is it okay with Ron DeSantis and his Moms For Liberty for children to see a Nazi parade? Just no Pride parades for the children, I suppose.
Michael K
June 11, 2023 at 11:45 am
Ask the good people of Germany about how they reconcile their recent past. HINT: There are no honorifics for those who committed atrocities. Zero. None. .
Elliott Offen
June 11, 2023 at 9:17 am
You gonna burn in hell you azzhole 👉🍩
Joe
June 20, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Okay IB, not sure why that matters, but today we all know who Bragg was: a traitor against the USA with this military bio —
“Bragg is generally considered among the worst generals of the Civil War. Most of the battles he engaged in ended in defeat. Bragg was extremely unpopular with both the officers and ordinary men under his command, who criticized him for numerous perceived faults, including poor battlefield strategy, a quick temper, and overzealous discipline.”
No wonder Lil Ronnie reveres him!
Insurrectionist for Insurrectionists
June 10, 2023 at 9:35 am
It’s no surprise Rhonda puts Civil War losers on the same pedestal where he puts Trump and the J6 MAGA losers. It’s where Rhonda wants to be, too.
Dont Say Press Corp Dinners, Rhonda
June 10, 2023 at 10:04 am
President Rhonda will pardon Trump and restore everything that was named for Confederate Traitors, but will Rhonda restore GOP Presidents attending the annual press corp dinner? I don’t think so!
Rhonda definitely couldn’t handle a press corp dinner. The littler Florida Man’s skin is even thinner than Trump’s. Rhonda’s skin is both anorectic and bulimic.
Neither Orange Hitler nor Litler could do what Obama did eight times.
Badda Bing
June 10, 2023 at 10:47 am
Meatball promises to break the law should he be elected prez.
That should get him a lot of votes he’s already locked up with his extreme rhetoric.
At least he’s more honest than 45.
Fashion Magazine
June 10, 2023 at 10:51 am
Ron DeSantis skin is so thin it should be on the cover of the September 1972 edition of Vogue
Paul
June 10, 2023 at 8:40 pm
What about Aunt Jemima??? Is he bringing her back too???
Joe
June 20, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Yeah, to work on his plantation.
Mr.Haney
June 11, 2023 at 7:03 pm
DeSantis is a traitor
Junior
June 12, 2023 at 7:43 am
To the author A.G. Fort Bragg is a Post, not base. Been here 53 years and believe me, the Army will correct anyone calling Ft. Bragg a base.
Joe
June 20, 2023 at 4:28 pm
“Bragg is generally considered among the worst generals of the Civil War. Most of the battles he engaged in ended in defeat. Bragg was extremely unpopular with both the officers and ordinary men under his command, who criticized him for numerous perceived faults, including poor battlefield strategy, a quick temper, and overzealous discipline.”
No wonder Lil Ronnie admires him!
Comments are closed.