Rape, Murder, and Mutilation: Happy Columbus Day, University Style

Now, Ward Churchill won't teach this in his P.C. History class, but I sometimes think facts are worth mentioning both in print and in institutions of higher education. But maybe that's just some crazy idea on my part.

First, let's just say that Columbus wasn't a perfect guy. There's only been one perfect man and we crucified Him. But I digress...

I hate to tell you all this, but there are no "Native Americans"... Nope, they just walked across the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia ahead of Columbus by thousands of years. But "Native" they're not.

For the the most part life among the Indians of north or south America was not the idyllic love fest that was portrayed in films like, "Dances With Wolves"... No, on the contrary most Indian tribes of North and South America pretty much practiced many or all of the following cultural values; slavery, torture,genocide, polygamy, wars of territorial gain, religious intolerance, human sacrifice, cannibalism, child and spousal abuse, and self mutilation.

When Columbus, and later Cortez, arrived on the scene they really could not discern the wonderful and harmonious cultures that students are now taught existed in this new land.

Now these guys were far from perfect and their motives far from pure. But I think any clear thinking individual would not want to go back in time and live in the cultural atmosphere or the Aztecs, Maya or Sioux.

If you're angry right now - That's understandable - You've been taught lies. History is not really all that simple and the moral high ground not as easily defined as you might think.

Get on the net and read different points of views on say, Cortez. I think you'll be amazed at what he did with very few men and the courage of all - A mixture of piety, greed, adventure, political scheming and heroics. But you must put yourself in his place and time. The culture and values of his age...

Only when schools again teach the past in this way can we truly understand our history. Ward Churchill and his liberal cronies haven't a clue - They're anger blinds them to objectivity.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 1:30PM October 14, 2008