Get rid of Columbus day!

@Thumb:

Anyway, I think we can ALL agree that Columbus discovered America kinda like I might “discover” a coke in your fridge.

-Thumb

Not quite the same, I know the coke in my fridge belongs to me and have the power to stop you from actualy enjoying what I belive to be my coke ;)

It never ceases to amaze me on how we judge historical figures based on modern philosphies. Kinda and generous slave owner in the 1800s is a slave owning monster today.

How will we be judged in 500 years? Letting tinpot dictators run nations into the ground. Has anybody heard of the war that has been going on in the Congo? 5 million have died in the last 5 years or so, we let it happen, all of us. Funny how we feel pretty good about ourselves when we compare ourselves to those of 5 centuries ago.

Winston Churchill, he’s a drunk.

Roosevelt? An adulter.

Lincoln? A slave owner along with Thomos Jefferson, how could a slave owner go on to write “All me are created equal” is in of itself a lesson on hypocracy.

We’re killing our heros faster than we are making new ones.

Hear, Hear! That’s a fine point. I personally have nothing against any of the people named in this thread, as I have not experienced life in their times or circumstances. I do know that no one is perfect, and that some of the imperfections mentioned here are big ones. But, it is not mine to judge.

Now, if someone did what Columbus did today, it would be met with a much different reaction not because we are better people per se but because we have different standards for ourselves and for one another than the norm at his time.

On the other hand, I have a problem with people forgiving the Nazis or the Kmehr Rouge too easily.

@mr_mischief:

Hear, Hear! That’s a fine point. I personally have nothing against any of the people named in this thread, as I have not experienced life in their times or circumstances. I do know that no one is perfect, and that some of the imperfections mentioned here are big ones. But, it is not mine to judge.

Now, if someone did what Columbus did today, it would be met with a much different reaction not because we are better people per se but because we have different standards for ourselves and for one another than the norm at his time.

On the other hand, I have a problem with people forgiving the Nazis or the Kmehr Rouge too easily.

what would be the equivalent of what CC did “today”?
To make a scientific discovery off the backs of his grad students, one that is a boon to millions and a devestation to thousands? This would not get off the ground, i don’t believe.
To push the frontiers of space, and to become the spokesperson for the KKK?
Is there anything one could do today to “warrent” a holiday in the future? Is there anything that would match the accomplishments and rudeness (for lack of a better word - i’m post 28-hour work-day) of Columbus?
I am of the mind that for all the good and evil:

1. North America would have been “discovered” by many other “explorers” of the time within 20 years of 1476 and already had been.
2. Nothing would have prevented the deaths of millions to disease. Nothing. People are going to be immune to viruses and bugs that they carry and there are going to be people susceptible to these bugs. Are the few who visit from China to Toronto “evil” for bringing SARS to Canada? Of course not.
3. Honoring Columbus is like honoring a mercenary, a gold panner, a merchant for doing what they do, except having a grander vision than most others. I would rather see this day go to “great scientists”, “physicians” (yes, i’m biased here), “great humanitarians”, or Me.

Dezrtfish/Red…the Coke in the fridge only belongs to you if you believe in private property.

Guest & Mr_mischief…you make a good points about “updating” our opinions on historical figures. It’s healthy to question what you’ve been taught…and what better standards to apply than your own. If you feel that your standards are not righteous, then you should consider those while you’re at it.

Columbus’ actions (and, more importantly, the actions of his men) were at that time largely considered distasteful. Rape has never been acceptable. Neither has burning and dismembering men, women and children.

“But I’m not one to judge.”

And in 500 years? Yeah, I hope future generations are critical enough to depose heroes if it’s warranted. Good for them! Keep improving those heroes!

Here’s what I would give a holiday to, Cystic Crypt…

Subject founds pharmaceutical company, discovers/invents cure for AIDS, and broadly distributes across the world as a non-profit endeavor.

Gets the African National Congress off the ground and functioning as a guiding and peaceful leadership…and, ultimately, brings Africa into the 21st century.

Becomes an incredibly popular advocate for peace among the religious right, be it Christian, Muslim, or Jew. This person’s deeds lead to decades (or more) of peace in the middle east and elsewhere.

Those are a few just off the top of my head. Granted, they’re pretty large-scale. Here are some other “hero cauldrons”…

Poverty, domestic abuse, education, campaign and voting reforms, medical cures (cancer, etc.), superb skateboarding skills, space travel technology, or even grass-roots philosophers.

Okay, I’m talking a lot but not saying much.

In todays world if somebody tried to give medicine cheap to third world countries they would be sued for using anti-dumping laws. The world is a cynical place.

I have yet to see enough proof to convince me that CC was personally guilty of rape or of dismemberment. Dismemberment of theives and of slaves was rather common. I do consider slavery wrong. I do consider CC wrong for enslaving people.

I also have to give him some slack for operating under the prevalent assumption of his time that some people were important and some weren’t. I don’t think it makes him right or anyone else right to have done it. It was bad then, but it would be far worse for someone raised with today’s principles to do the same thing.

Columbus isn’t just honored for accidentally finding the West Indies. He’s honored for stating that the world is round and then making a discovery based on that. He stood up against one firm belief of his period – one that men had been excommunicated and even killed over. I don’t think we can hold one man to the standard of breaking with his entire culture in two such massively important issues until we each have at least done so on one count.

@mr_mischief:

I have yet to see enough proof to convince me that CC was personally guilty … of dismemberment.

Well, as CC is a medic, maybe he did dismember some people. :D ;) :)

@F_alk:

@mr_mischief:

I have yet to see enough proof to convince me that CC was personally guilty … of dismemberment.

Well, as CC is a medic, maybe he did dismember some people. :D ;) :)

the people i’ve dismembered were already dead.
I believe . . . .

LMAO :lol: :lol:

Sorry, I meant Christopher Columbus. But I believe the point that he broke against society and the Church in a time when it still wasn’t “Right” to think the world was round makes a big difference.

@Thumb:

Columbus’ actions (and, more importantly, the actions of his men) were at that time largely considered distasteful. Rape has never been acceptable. Neither has burning and dismembering men, women and children.

Mr. Thumb, I believe a jury of Huns, Vikings, Mongols and/or Visigoths would find you guilty of blasphemy or some other well trumped up charges.

@cystic:

the people i’ve dismembered were already dead.
I believe . . . .

Suddently the poster (as seen on X Files) “i want to believe” has a totally different meaning :)

Well, there are a number of vaguely philosophical points being slipped on around here. For example, the person who embraces the actions of history for being relevant to its time will ultimately need to define when history starts. I did not like my boss yesterday and, for whatever reason, I punhed him in the face. Matters not if I was right or wrong because, at that time, it felt right.

On a larger scale that presumes right and wrong is defined by society, you have tons of great examples to choose from. If slavery is accepted, should we honor excellent slave “owners?”

I think we should continue to honor Columbus because there are already so many books and made-for-TV movies about him. It would be expensive to find a substitute.

TH.umb

Yanny, why are you so “obsessed” with this book? How do you know for sure that what this guy is saying is the truth, and not just a bitter slap in the face to the publisher’s who rejected his American History book?

You citing this stuff as fact, would be like me using Rush Limbaugh as a reference. Sure, it may be true, but are we getting the whole story…? :-?

Well Yanny, since you are the one that has the book why don’t you site some of the authors references?

@Deviant:Scripter:

Yanny, why are you so “obsessed” with this book? How do you know for sure that what this guy is saying is the truth, and not just a bitter slap in the face to the publisher’s who rejected his American History book?

You citing this stuff as fact, would be like me using Rush Limbaugh as a reference. Sure, it may be true, but are we getting the whole story…? :-?

this is something i was thinking about.
Eventually Yanny will end up writing a book:
“Lies the ‘Lies my teacher told me’ told me” book.

@Deviant:Scripter:

Yanny, why are you so “obsessed” with this book? How do you know for sure that what this guy is saying is the truth, and not just a bitter slap in the face to the publisher’s who rejected his American History book?

You citing this stuff as fact, would be like me using Rush Limbaugh as a reference. Sure, it may be true, but are we getting the whole story…? :-?

Well, Rush IS documented to be right 98.6% of the time. :D

@DarthMaximus:

@Deviant:Scripter:

Yanny, why are you so “obsessed” with this book? How do you know for sure that what this guy is saying is the truth, and not just a bitter slap in the face to the publisher’s who rejected his American History book?

You citing this stuff as fact, would be like me using Rush Limbaugh as a reference. Sure, it may be true, but are we getting the whole story…? :-?

Well, Rush IS documented to be right 98.6% of the time. :D

100% if you ask me… :wink: