I’ve got plenty of better things to do, but I absolutely have to stop to point out John Scalzi’s absolutely hilarious series of anti-Confederate rants. (Courtesy of Electrolite.) Quoth Mr. Scalzi:

The Confederate States of America was a fundamentally evil institution. Period, end of sentence. That’s “evil,” spelled "E-V-I-L.” “Evil,” as in “morally reprehensible,” “sinful,” “wicked,” “pernicious,” “offensive” and “noxious.” “Evil,” as in “the world is a demonstrably better place without this thing in it.” Evil. That’s right, evil. Once again, for those of you who haven’t figured it out yet: Evil. And for those of you yet hard of hearing, the ASL version:

Really, I don’t know how much clearer I can make it.

I have plenty of respect for the occasional thoughtful, liberal, humanist defender of the Confederacy like Will Shetterly, but I have to say I think Mr. Scalzi is dead on. If you don’t agree, go read all his arguments before you come back and tell me so.

(Oh, and if you want to know how I feel about the Civil War — as opposed to what I think, which is maybe a little more complicated — read Maureen McHugh’s short story “The Lincoln Train”. It’s in New Skies, among other places, and New Skies also has plenty of other good stuff in it.)