Talk:Kentucky colonel

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Some of these descriptions are taken verbatim from the Order of Kentucky Colonels' Website. Great sections of this page need to be re-written, or at minimum the original website should be properly cited and credited.[1]

This sounds a lot like the British honours or peerage system (particularly life peers). I thought the US Constitution forbade such things? PeteVerdon 10:47, 11 August 2005 (UTC)
Life peerages carry a seat in the House of Lords; being a Kentucky Colonel carries no benefit at all. The first colonels were created by the governor of Kentucky as security officers following the Civil War; his authority to do so is, I believe, based on his position as nominal head of the state Militia. I imagine that that's the currently used justification, but really since it's a purely honorary position with no benefits, there's no Constitutional barrier to handing them out like candy. Anyone (including governors) can make up any title they want and give them to anyone that they want, as long as they don't expect anyone else to pay any attention to it. --Clay Collier 08:07, 1 October 2005 (UTC)
And no benefits really means no benefits. I mean, not even a small mashed potatoes at KFC. Not even a discount coupon. I bet life peers get all the Nando's they can eat and then some! Ewlyahoocom 14:17, 8 October 2005 (UTC)
Even if there were benefits, It would still not be unconstitutional. The US government often hands out various honors and benefits. The Medal of Honor not only comes with benefits, but comes with benefits for ones children - children of Medal of Honor winners are guaranteed entry to any of the US service academies (West Point etc.). - Matthew238 06:14, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

The constitution says: "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State."

The Colonel commission is not a title of Nobility. "Col" m 07:00, 8 January 2006.

Also, the title itself "Colonel of the Commonwealth" is not granted by the United States, but by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As a member of the order myself I would provide a scan of the comission certificate to post, but it is a copyrighted image.UnseemlyWeasel 02:36, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

More insights at Titles of Nobility Amendment, and http://www.apfn.org/apfn/knighthood.htm. Ewlyahoocom 19:03, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

The question is, what exactly counts as a title of nobility - presumably the Medal of Honor doesn't. And I think a key point is that the Colonel is awarded by a state, not the Federal Government or a Foreign Government - which would anyway only be forbiden for those holding an "Office of Profit or Trust" with the Fed's - not most regular citizens. - Matthew238 08:23, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

"Section 10 No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility." The Constitution also deals with states, so if it were a Title of Nobility, it would be unconsitutional, however it is not. Rotovia (talk) 04:05, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Removals

  • When I inserted Col. Edward R. Bradley, I removed Chevalier Thierry Geoffroy and Dr. Dennis M. Knable and their links to a website because they don't appear to provide any facts relative to their alleged decoration as a Kentucky Colonel. Please reinsert if their claim can be substantiated. Handicapper 14:12, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 'Unverified'

Many of the people listed under the [unverified] mark in the page are listed at http://kycolonels.org/index.cgi?id=54

Although it isn't totally authoritative and doesn't include any date or anything, I would be inclined to give the organization's web page _some_ credence as to who has been a member. (Bing Crosby, Ronald Reagan and others are on this list). How about the photograph of Crosby holding a certificate? [2]

--Matthew K (talk) 23:06, 26 November 2007 (UTC)