McConnell: ‘OK’ with renaming bases

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is “OK” with renaming military bases (like forts Bragg and Hood), named for Confederate officers despite President Trump’s opposition. The senator said he’ll live with whatever lawmakers while debating the annual defense bill in the coming weeks. A Senate panel voted last week to require those bases to be renamed within three years. McConnell, himself the descendant of a Confederate veteran, didn’t endorse the idea, but said he wouldn’t oppose it. “I can only speak for myself on this issue. If it’s appropriate to take another look at these names I’m OK with that,” McConnell said. “Whatever is ultimately decided I don’t have a problem with (it).” McConnell is sticking with the Washington tradition - and current law - of having states choose their own statues for display in the Capitol complex, saying it’s preferable for states like Mississippi, home to Confederate President Davis, to remove them on their own. (Source: The AP 06/16/20) The state of Kentucky, during the Civil War, was a state in which slavery existed. However, Kentucky never officially seceded from the Union, but in reality remained neutral. So, Southern supporters formed an illegitimate “shadow government” that voted for accession to the Confederation. Presidents of the U.S. and Confederacy – Davis and Lincoln - were both born in Kentucky.  https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/06/16/senates-top-republican-ok-with-removing-confederate-names-from-military-bases/