Comments on: Happy Independence Day!

By: Friday Talking Points [217] — At Night, The Ice Weasels Come « Democrats for Progress

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:41:47 +0000

[...] Or maybe things were happening and we just didn’t notice them, as we were writing not just one, but two columns on American history for Independence Day week. Maybe, not unlike San Diego’s [...]

By: ChrisWeigant.com » Friday Talking Points [217] -- At Night, The Ice Weasels Come

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:05:34 +0000

[...] Happy Independence Day! [...]

By: Michale

Michale — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:33:52 +0000

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/07/04/this-july-4-let-thank-forgotten-revolutionary-war-hero/?intcmp=features

That one's for you, CW... :D

Michale.....

By: Chris Weigant

Chris Weigant — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 05:44:00 +0000

Kevin - Nope, but I was raised by teachers. Chris1962 - Guilty as charged. Look for my real July 4th article, you'll probably like that one too. dsws - Heh. Now that was funny! Nice links, too... LewDan - I've learned a lot of early American history in the past year, this was just one amusing story along the way... HawkOwl - "History is written by the winners." That pretty much sums it up. To everyone: I highly recommend a book called "Lies My Teacher Taught Me" as it was one of the inspirations to look a little closer at our own history. It was written by a history professor who was annoyed at the pathetic version of history taught in K-12, and who pointed out that the insipid history textbooks we all were forced to read absolutely squeeze out any inkling of humanity and interesting storylines from what actually happened. His main theme: history is fascinating, has lots of bloody and brutal (as well as noble and inspiring) stories that are completely ignored by children's history books, in favor of pre-digested mush which is often wildly inaccurate. I've mined more columns out of that book than perhaps any other. Like the story of Helen Keller, to name but one. This is a great book, and it is a real eye-opener. It was written over a decade ago, and has actually had some profound influence on how the stories he chooses to highlight are portrayed in modern American history books. Anyone looking for a good read, find a copy in your local library. And happy (insert date) of July! Happy Independence Day everyone! -CW

By: Hawk Owl

Hawk Owl — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 03:03:16 +0000

Chris, I realize I'm a bit late, but will add my 2¢ worth anyway . . . by explaining how you reminded me of a History teacher who wryly commented that much of what we assume to be historical "fact" isn't, and moreover, when you do dig underneath the old myths, the truth is often messier and more human ~ but actually more interesting ~ than those Grade School simplifications. ~ ~ ~ Hawkowl

By: LewDan

LewDan — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:18:37 +0000

...Learn something new everyday!

Didn't know much of this. Concise, informative, and entertaining. Kudos. Much appreciated.

By: dsws

dsws — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 19:35:55 +0000

Next thing you know, this site is going to be telling us that Christ wasn't born on December 25th, or that the founding fathers didn't put "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Where will the iconoclasm stop?

By: Chris1962

Chris1962 — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:34:02 +0000

HIGHLY enjoyable article, Chris. You're such a history wonk, God love ya.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:26:48 +0000

Were you ever a teacher in an earlier era of Chrisdom? I quite enjoy these educational posts of your's :)