Time To Read Something Else

Time Magazine makes a sorry attempt to equate the “war on global warming” with World War II, and more specifically the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Let’s put aside the fact that global warming is still very much in dispute, as is man’s contribution to it, if it does exist at all. The morphing of this iconic photograph of US Marines raising our Flag into a photograph of dyslexic lumberjacks raising a tree while wearing military surplus is insulting and belittles these brave warriors.

The editors who made the decision to publish this horrid photoshop should be ashamed. They aren’t though and more is the pity.

Maps As They Could Have Been And Still Could Be

I found this map over at Strange Maps, which as you can guess from the title is all about strange and unusual maps.

The map is a depiction of a “Balkanized North America” in which “. . . the westward expansion of the Anglo-American people proceeded pretty much as it did in our reality . . .  but the United States government just couldn’t keep up. Every national identity crisis resolved itself in favor of the separatists instead.”

It’s interesting to see how our nation would have formed, or not formed as the case may be, had historical multiculturalism had its way.  Frightening too, in my opinion, because there are many living in our nation who wouldn’t mind seeing some form of this map as a reality now. 

It reminded me of this excellent book, Prayers for the Assassin (and described fairly accurately here and here), that pictures an America of 2040 split into four distinct pieces, an Islamic Republic, a Christian bible-belt, a Nevada “sin-state” and a small Mormon nation.

You can see a bigger version of this map here, by the way.

I highly recommend the book for its great storytelling - it’s a great read, full of political intrigue and interesting characters - but also because it provides a hard look into a future that is possible if we do not continue to deal with Islamic fantacism in a strong way.

History In Schools

It’s heartening that common sense won in this vote, but the fact that it was even debated speaks poorly on the way our schools are going these days.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Trustees of the largest high school district in the country voted 4-1 Monday night to mandate displays bearing the nation’s motto — “In God We Trust” — and other historical documents in over 2,300 district classrooms and offices. The display of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights will be included in the posters approved by district trustees in Bakersfield, Calif. Monday night. Kern County High School District trustee Chad Vegas initially proposed the measure as a way of promoting patriotism. But the idea sparked a contentious debate. “I’m exteremely pleased the measure passed and was in fact expanded beyond what I had originally proposed,” said Vegas. In addition to placing the displays in over 2,300 classrooms, the posters will also be hung in district boardrooms, libraries, administrative offices and other rooms.

Of course, there is always that minority who wants to push their agenda on the majority.

Board President Bob Hampton, a former teacher in the district, told The L.A. Times he would vote against the posters because they reflect a “spiritual agenda.” “The spiritual side of students belongs at home and at church, not in the educational system,” Hampton said.

I hate to break it to you Bob, but this is not about a spiritual agenda, although from the sorry state of our schools they couldn’t do worse by having one. No, this is about our history as a nation and the sad fact that our children are growing up without any sense of it whatsoever. Much of our history is not even taught in schools now and what is taught is a water-down, politically correct, selective version of events that is more fiction than fact.  If you doubt me quiz your kids on some of the stuff  you learned in school.  They probably haven’t heard about much of what you ask and what they have heard will probably be wrong.  I did it and I ended up buying A Patriot’s History of the United States to give my kids the education they need and deserve. 

It’s a great read so pick one up.  You’ll enjoy it, too.